DC-DC regulation, Why only LEDs?

Curious... why don't manufacturers use DC-DC regulation in incandescent flashlights? why is it generally an LED-only feature?

thanks in advance

kramer5150 said:

Curious... why don't manufacturers use DC-DC regulation in incandescent flashlights? why is it generally an LED-only feature?

thanks in advance

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Surefire A2 does it.

I think manufacturers are just dropping development in incans.

LEDs require current regulation. Incans generally don't. It costs money. Hard to sell the more expensive resulting system.

-- Alan

Alan B said:

LEDs require current regulation. Incans generally don't. It costs money. Hard to sell the more expensive resulting system.

-- Alan

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LEDs can get along with a lousy current limiting resistor But then they dim, like an incan.

Regulated incans can be awesome. The A2 benefits from it with a whiter beam that *stays* white and bright until the batteries drop too far, and longer bulb life thanks to soft start.

I think it's unfortunate that no one is making any more regulated incans. The M6 would be awesome regulated!

But while the A2 addicts may agree, marketing doesn't. So I doubt we'll ever see another!

Wouldn't it be like putting electronic ignition and fuel injectors and a sound system in a Model T Ford??

Sure, you can, but what's the point?

Marduke said:

Wouldn't it be like putting electronic ignition and fuel injectors and a sound system in a Model T Ford??

Sure, you can, but what's the point?

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to help nominalize battery output as the cells deplete, for one. The loyal A2 fans certainly seem to agree... so it can't be that far-fetched.

kramer5150 said:

to help nominalize battery output as the cells deplete, for one. The loyal A2 fans certainly seem to agree... so it can't be that far-fetched.

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And I'm sure that planty of people would cruise down the street rattling windows in their Model Ts.

LukeA said:

And I'm sure that planty of people would cruise down the street rattling windows in their Model Ts.

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Heck, I'm sure plenty would pay a premium to do that!

I think another issue is the size of the electronics for regulation (for these higher amp/draw devices) vs space available - ie. there is no room to add what's needed behind a SL TL-3 lamp or minimag, etc? (only the bigger incans have the space for it)?

MikeLip said:

...The M6 would be awesome regulated!
...

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it is!

below pic of my SF M6 - no external mods (it looks like a stock M6) pretty amazing output for something that can be carried in a back pocket.

left side is MB20 primary pack w/ new cells and MN21/HOLA (15 min $$ diminishing runtime) - right side is HD R-Pack w/ fivemega bipin and Phillips 5761 (60 min of regulated rechargeable output)
(IRC 500+ vs 1,400 lumen?)

lebox97 said:

left side is MB20 primary pack w/ new cells and MN21/HOLA (15 min $$ diminishing runtime) - right side is HD R-Pack w/ fivemega bipin and Phillips 5761 (60 min of regulated rechargeable output)
(IRC 500+ vs 1,400 lumen?)

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All right!!! I need a project anyway

kramer5150 said:

Curious... why don't manufacturers use DC-DC regulation in incandescent flashlights? why is it generally an LED-only feature?

thanks in advance

Click to expand...

The reason it's an LED feature is that white LEDs only operate at around ~3.5V. That means 3 Alkaline cells or one LiIon is the only viable combination to use in direct drive. Any other cell combinations will require some sort of voltage transformation. With incandescent, filaments can be designed to operate at any voltage or combination of cells required. in direct drive off of many combinations of cell.

It'd be nice if Surefire made something like the A2 but without the LEDs. They really miss the obvious sometimes.

it has been discussed previously before....when the A2 first appeared in 2002 under digital fusion [later plus] series, surefire had M2 digital and C2 digital [M2D, and C2D, respectfully] regulated xenon lights...but apparently surefire decided to focus their advancement in LED over xenon regulation and they never made it off the prototype workbench, despite their apparent gorgeous shots on the 2002 catalog

only the A2 remained....
a couple screen shots of the 2002 catalog

except for keeping output the same while batts discharge,
it would fight instaflash