Please explain the L1 tailcap...

jugg2 · Mar 20, 2008

Hi guys! I'm in the market for my first SF LED. I have narrowed it down to the E1B, or the L1. By the output, beam shape, and levels they seem very similar. I am leaning toward the L1, since it comes on in low. The only thing I question is the tailcap. I have heard a lot about it, and I believe the same tailcap on the A2. I searched, but could not find a basic explanation as to how it really works. Can someone please explain?

Qoose · Mar 20, 2008

Same tailcap as the A2. Depress partially for Low, depress fully for High. Or twist for constant low, twist all the way for constant high.

jugg2 · Mar 20, 2008

Qoose said:
Same tailcap as the A2. Depress partially for Low, depress fully for High. Or twist for constant low, twist all the way for constant high.

That is just the kind of dead simple answer I was looking for! Thanks a lot!

Just one more question: if you have the light twisted for constant on, can you press the tailcap and get a momentary high?

gadget_lover · Mar 20, 2008

It's a fairly simple design.

The tailcap has multiple contacts, one set higher than the other. The higher one is connected to a resistor that connects to the spring. The lower ones connect directly to the spring.

When you first screw the tailcap down, the electricity flows through the higher contact and the resistor. The electronics see a mere fraction of the total voltage. The light's converter falls out of regulation and the light barely glows.

When you screw it down tighter the lower contact touches the flashlight body and effectively shorts out the resistor. The electronics now see the full voltage and the LED is fully powered.

Simple design, but getting the parts small and reliable is difficult.

Daniel

gadget_lover · Mar 20, 2008

Oh. You wanted "how to work it" instead of "how it works".

Daniel

LukeA · Mar 20, 2008

gadget_lover said:
It's a fairly simple design.

The tailcap has multiple contacts, one set higher than the other. The higher one is connected to a resistor that connects to the spring. The lower ones connect directly to the spring.

When you first screw the tailcap down, the electricity flows through the higher contact and the resistor. The electronics see a mere fraction of the total voltage. The light's converter falls out of regulation and the light barely glows.

When you screw it down tighter the lower contact touches the flashlight body and effectively shorts out the resistor. The electronics now see the full voltage and the LED is fully powered.

Simple design, but getting the parts small and reliable is difficult.

Daniel

Then the resistor wastes a fair amount of power? Or does the resistor signal to the electronics that the light is in low mode?

jugg2 · Mar 20, 2008

gadget_lover said:
Oh. You wanted "how to work it" instead of "how it works".

Daniel

Lol, yeah I really wanted to know how to work it, but I'm always interested to know how stuff works. Thanks for the info!

Snow · Mar 20, 2008

jugg2 said:
That is just the kind of dead simple answer I was looking for! Thanks a lot!

Just one more question: if you have the light twisted for constant on, can you press the tailcap and get a momentary high?

Yes.

jugg2 · Mar 20, 2008

Thanks! Sounds good to me. After I get my tax refund, I will be picking one of these things up! :twothumbs

Thanks for all the help guys!

gadget_lover · Mar 20, 2008

LukeA said:
Then the resistor wastes a fair amount of power? Or does the resistor signal to the electronics that the light is in low mode?

The amount of wasted power is about 1/2 of what is used in the low mode. If you stop to think about that, it's really quite a win. The LED and resistor together use something like 1/20th the power of the light on high. That would mean the resistor "wastes" 1/40th of the power that the light normally uses.

It simulates a battery that has run down.

Daniel

greenstuffs · Mar 21, 2008

I'm certainly sure that there is a driver can in the L1 body same way like all L series as well a the A2.

Wattnot · Mar 21, 2008

jugg2 said:
Just one more question: if you have the light twisted for constant on, can you press the tailcap and get a momentary high?

Yes. I was doing this just tonight. What a fantastic light. I was reading some criticisms of it just tonight and laughing at the things they were saying bad about it because they are so wrong!

Anyway, yes, you can have it twisted on low and hit the button for momentary high. I was holding it for quite a while for my neighbor who was rotating tires on a dually. What an awesome light the L1 Cree is!

jugg2 · Mar 21, 2008

Thanks wattnot. Sounds like a great light from all the reviews I've heard. Seems like the only thing some people don't like is the "throwy" beam. Personally, I like my lights a little throwy.

jag808808 · Mar 21, 2008

Only thing better than an L1 is a MilkySeouled L1! It is almost as bright as my U2!!! Currently saving up for either a U2 mod or picking up a Ti light... the insanity.... Great choice of light. Still prefer my L2D Q5 for EDC but wish it had momentary...

jugg2 · Mar 22, 2008

Just ordered my L1 from Battery Junction! I would think it will be here in less than a week. I can't wait!

blinder switch · Mar 22, 2008

jugg2 said:
Just ordered my L1 from Battery Junction! I would think it will be here in less than a week. I can't wait!

I loved my SureFire L1 Digital Lumamax so much, that in 1 week of having it, I bought another brand new SureFire L1 just for a back up.

The L1 is one of my favorites out of 10 SF lights that I own.

Please explain the L1 tailcap...

jugg2

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