VIP Discussion Thread

Candle Power Flashlight Forum

Help Support CPF:

Just wanted to say that I received my VIP here in the mountains of NJ today. Naha-ice work Charlie. Very Impressive. I need some time alone to digest this... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/huh.gif
 
TIN,
I ordered an additional lens with the LDF added from Chris. I emailed asking specifically for this for the VIP so I'm not sure of the actual dimensions. If I recall correctly, the VIP lens was made specifically for the VIP, although I could be wrong. Your best bet may be to drop Chris an email and he'll take care of you. Had mine two days from placement of order.
 
Nascar, all VIPs came with UCLs, that is the only way I would offer my best light. Nothing but the best... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tech a Billy, thank you, hope you have some fun tonight...
 
Just received my light today! I am finally glad to own this very awesome light in my collection now. Just the feel of it alone is great, i can't put it down! thanks for making this light charlie, it is my new favorite light now.

Kyle
 
TIN, Please let me know how it goes. I also need replacement UCL. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif It has 4 chips from the edge (3 small and 1 large), most likely because I over tighted the head. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mecry.gif/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif
Thanks,
 
Thanks for the specks on the VIP with the Bulk Head Charlie.
Now, anyone know which Ripoffs will fit with the Bulk Head on? The 4 &9/16 " size?
Mike
 
Not a complaint. But I did notice this. When I turn on my VIP after sometime since it's last use, on low, then crank it up to high, it does not turn down to low. The VIP stays on high. After "warm up" and on/off, it goes back to normal operation. I am able to duplicate this. Has anybody else noticed this?
 
Same here, it arrive when battery is empty /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have replaced the battery with a fresh one, and no problem /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Read the paper provided with the VIP by Charlie /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I've got a question regarding the efficiency of the VIP. It seems that on high, the efficiency of the converter is less than 50%:
Assume:
Loaded battery voltage = 2.5V (just a guess)
Current Draw from Battery = 2.5A (my VIP, fresh cell)
Therefore, Total battery power = 6.25W
Assume the emitter is driven at 3W, then the converter is dissipating > 3W, or more than 50% of the battery power. Is this much dissipation dangerous to the converter? Is it just my VIP that is this inefficient on high? Others, it seems, have measured about half of this current draw on their batteries.

On medium the efficiency seems much greater. Assume:
Loaded battery voltage = 3.0V (again, a guess)
Current draw from battery = 0.44A
Therefore, battery power = 1.3W
Emitter power (estimate 3.5V * 0.35A) = 1.2W
Therefore >90% of power is getting to the emitter

My university physics classes were a few years ago, so I may be way off here with respect to both my guesses and calculations. If I am in error, (I am sure you will) let me know. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Bricksie it is not possible for your measurements to be correct, it should be more in line with what others have been getting (half that). If you need detailed explanations of certain things please PM or e-mail and I will get you (extremely technical) summaries direct from the electronics engineers who designed this board Unfortunately they don't know how to talk about this kind of stuff any other way! Thanks.
 
Got back from vacation and my VIP was waiting for me!! Very nice work Charlie. The fit and finish are over the top! I keep on picking it up and can't leave it alone. This is a super light and one of the most prized of my collection so far. Thanks again for everything.
 
Mikey! Glad to attain approval level from one of vintage airgunning's finest techs - and, "...most prized of my collection so far."??? What's next?

Hey, mebbe I can get you so totally into lights you'd end up selling me yore airgun collection - cheep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

Thanks again.
 
[ QUOTE ]
bricksie said:
I've got a question regarding the efficiency of the VIP. It seems that on high, the efficiency of the converter is less than 50%:
Assume:
Loaded battery voltage = 2.5V (just a guess)
Current Draw from Battery = 2.5A (my VIP, fresh cell)
Therefore, Total battery power = 6.25W
Assume the emitter is driven at 3W, then the converter is dissipating > 3W, or more than 50% of the battery power. Is this much dissipation dangerous to the converter? Is it just my VIP that is this inefficient on high? Others, it seems, have measured about half of this current draw on their batteries.

[/ QUOTE ]

bricksie- I think the problem may be that you're not making good contact with your probes on the battery or body. Try moving them around a bit and see if that changes anything. Also try using a little more pressure. I can get a 2A+ reading too, but it disappears when I press harder against the inside of the body. Let us know if that changes anything.


Peter
 
Thanks for straightening me out, Charlie. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif I must not be using the meter correctly, although I thought it was a simple matter of putting the meter in series with the negative end of the cell and the case (in Amps mode of course, with the probe in the correct input on the meter). I must be having one of those senior's moments (although I'm only in my 40's) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif
 
We just returned from vacation and my VIP was waiting /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Excellent work Charlie and members of the HAT team.
On medium setting the VIP is much brighter than my current EDC light the ARC LSH-S. Now, I need to figure out which Ripoffs holster fits the VIP...so I can get used to my new EDC /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif
 
Charlie, it looks from that picture that the VIP with a BH and twisty would be slightly smaller than the standard VIP? I don't really like twistys as much but I'm thinking about getting one for this reason.
 
LitFuse,
Thanks for the advice. I tried putting additional pressure on the probes (I used an alligator to clip on the case and applied additional pressure with my finger, and used the pointy probe on the battery - I put a small dent in the battery pressing on it) but still got 2.4A from a fresh Duracell. After measuring the current for approximately 15 seconds, I removed the battery and measure the voltage - it had dropped to 2.8V (from 3.19V) and was recovering slowly. It was also warm.
 
My VIP showed up at work today.

I could go on about it but I think you've probably heard everything. Might I just include that excellent design elements should be lauded. Having so many fine elements come together in such a way that they dynamically support and propel each other in a harmony of brilliance and performance is truly impressive.

Time to go have fun.

Thank you!

- Jeff
 
LitFuse,
Instead of trying to measure the current, this time I tested runtime using NiMH AAs that I rigged up to run the light (just ordered the AA holder). I didn't want to waste a 123 on this test since I have so few at present, and I'm glad I didn't - I got 3 minutes on High before my light started flashing on-off about 2/sec. When I measured the battery voltage, I still had >1.3V on both batteries. I quickly reinstalled the batteries and tried again, and this time only got about 20sec on High before the flashing started. The batteries were still room temp, but the emitter/converter area of the light was quite warm (but not hot). Maybe there is a problem, and I'm not crazy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif. I may try using one of my few remaining fresh 123s tonight to repeat the test in order to eliminate any variables such as poor connection with the case (I used a double-ended alligator clip wire to make the battery-case connection)
 
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