What's going on?

[gcbryan]

I have a HS-802 "thrower" which uses (1) 18650 using a XR-E R2. When I measure the current at the tail cap I get about 800 mA.

I have an Aurora (1)18650 "thrower' which also uses a XR-E R2. When I measure the current at the tail cap I get about 300 mA. Both lights are about equally as bright.

With the Aurora when I use (2) CR123's the current is 700 mA. The light appears to be equally bright on 18650 and CR123.

I don't really understand tail cap current but I assumed it was close to emitter current less whatever is consumed by the driver.

I don't understand how the Aurora can appear equally bright whether I'm using 18650 or two CR123's and yet measure 300mA on 18650 and 700 mA on CR123's.

I'm sure it's just me not understanding what the measurements are telling me. If someone can clarify this for me I'd appreciate it.

 

[moderator007]

Sounds like something is going wrong here. The 18650 should be 700 ma and the cr123's 300 ma. Power in equals voltage times the current measured in watts. measured at the tail. Power out equals voltage (vf) times the current plus driver losses (usually 80% efficient). CR123's 6v x 700 ma =5.4 watts draw. Out would be 5.4 x .8 = 4.32 watts to the led. 4.32 divided (Vf) 3.7v = 1.16 amps. Around 250 lumens.

Fully charged 18650 4.2v x 300 ma = 1.26 watts draw. Out to led 1.26 x .8 = 1 watt. 1 divided by (Vf) 3.7v = 270 ma. The forward voltage would actual be lower at that current. Around 100 lumens.

Does the Aurora have modes. The hs-802 came with 2 mode tail switch. You did not specify which Aurora you have.
As of why its measuring this i do not know unless its in low or med mode or theres something wrong with the way your measuring the voltage and current. You should be able to tell a big difference between 250 and 100 lumens.

 

[gcbryan]

Sounds like something is going wrong here. The 18650 should be 700 ma and the cr123's 300 ma. Power in equals voltage times the current measured in watts. measured at the tail. Power out equals voltage (vf) times the current plus driver losses (usually 80% efficient). CR123's 6v x 700 ma =5.4 watts draw. Out would be 5.4 x .8 = 4.32 watts to the led. 4.32 divided (Vf) 3.7v = 1.16 amps. Around 250 lumens.

Fully charged 18650 4.2v x 300 ma = 1.26 watts draw. Out to led 1.26 x .8 = 1 watt. 1 divided by (Vf) 3.7v = 270 ma. The forward voltage would actual be lower at that current. Around 100 lumens.

Does the Aurora have modes. The hs-802 came with 2 mode tail switch. You did not specify which Aurora you have.
As of why its measuring this i do not know unless its in low or med mode or theres something wrong with the way your measuring the voltage and current. You should be able to tell a big difference between 250 and 100 lumens.

I know it's odd. It is the 18650 with the 300mA and the (2) CR123's with 700mA...odd. This is all with the Aurora. The HS-802 number are as expected. I mentioned the HS-802 since they both use the same emitter and both look just as bright.

The lights are as bright as any other XR-E R2 driven at the old limit of 700mA.

The HS-802 is a one mode light and the Aurora (forgot model) was two modes in the tailcap but I clipped the resister and now it's one mode so both are now one mode. Since the only change I made to the Aurora (other than the aspheric) was to the tail cap that can't be having an effect because I"m testing it without the tailcap.

I modified the Aurora with a 35mm aspheric lens. The HS-802 has a 45mm reflector. They both throw about the same distance. The Aurora is just without spill since it's now using an aspheric. It's smaller than the HS-802 and larger body-wise than a P60.

 

[moderator007]

The reason i ask about modes was i thought it could have internal driver with modes. I also have the uniquefire modded with the 1400ma 4 7135's driver with a one mode tail switch. Try taking the heads and reflector off both lights and shine on a wall to compare. The reason is maybe the aspheric lens is concentrating the light so they appear the same. Something could be wrong with the driver. If thats not it i have no idea.

 

[gcbryan]

I tried making measurements again today and got the number you would expect...700mA in the Aurora and 800mA in the Uniquefire!

Even though I tried it several times before I posted this question and got those odd numbers several times today I did the same and got expected numbers.

Regarding your Uniquefire modded at 1400mA...do you notice a big difference in throwing distance after the mod? That's a doubling of the current...what is the increase in brightness and throw?

 

[Marc999]

I said Heyyyyy yahh heyyyahhh, I said hey! What's going on!

Sing it!

 

[moderator007]

gcbryan,

Yes i could tell a small difference once modded. Can't really tell if if it throws any further. Dont really have anywhere at home to shine it over 150yds. I can tell you that the beam seems alot more intense now. So it should throw further.

According to jtr1962 (he tested it here) the r2 should make 231 lumens at 800 ma. At 1400 ma it should make 335 lumens. Thats a difference of 104 lumens.

 

[gcbryan]

If I could solder the small tedious parts necessary I'd like to drive both of mine harder as well. I have them both as toys really. Their only purpose is for throw so it would be nice to know that I've done all that can be done in that format.

I would be even more interested in increasing the current in the Aurora since I've modded that with a 35mm aspheric. It's more pocketable and still has more throw than an aspheric P60 type of light. The reflectored Uniquefire is nice but it's just getting a little too big.

With a 100 lumens increase I can imagine the increase in throw would be noticeable (with a large enough area to test it out of course).

Mine works well enough for what I use it for. Modding it would just be for satisfaction :)

 

[moderator007]

Thats why were all here. We cant just leave well enogh alone. Its like trying to add more horespower to a motor.

We flashaholics just can't help it.