Arc4+ runtime chart

My first attempt at a chart, first run with no cooling. Notice how quickly it stepped down to level 3. Second run with a fan blowing on it, maintained level one much longer but killed the battery quicker........

Dan C

Nicely done! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Very interesting as well.

What type of meter did you used to measure with?


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Nice chart!
Wow, you can get 2.5 hours of runtime at level 3. How long do you estimate the runtime at level 3 w/o starting at level one?

Wow!.. about an hour cooled at L1. You must have gotten a particularily good 4+. Thanks for the nice work.

Thanks for this great chart ! I'm very impressed /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Peter, did you think to include a fan in your next release of arc4+ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

My 4+ "first" run's 20 min on L1 with watercooling with a YunTong. I find 40 min of difference some sort of strange... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I don't think that's strange.

Check out my Arc4 page for an Arc4+ runtime chart with different battery brands. Unfortunately, it seems YunTong is not so good to use with Arc4+.

Also, here is an excerpt from Arc FAQ.

[ QUOTE ]
Run Times

The Arc4 has the following average run times:

- 20 minutes at level 1 with a good 123 cell
- 45 minutes at level 2 " "
- 2 hours at level 3 " "
- 3 hours at level 4 " " ...

Note: these are average and your results will vary. In normal use, the single 123 cell will last about a month.

Because of variations in LED Vf (forward voltage), temperature, cell variations (within the same brand), inductor variations, etc- run times will vary by as much as 50% from unit to unit with the same brand of new battery. Run times for all battery types are lengthened when the light is used intermittantly.

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand mine is still within specs, anyway amazing how noticable runtime difference can be with these Luxeons.

Yeah, I was surprised too! Kept waiting for the thing to step down from level 1.......

KJ, it's apparent that the quick stepping down without cooling is due to the thermal protection, which must be pretty aggressive. Also, it goes *right now*, unlike the gradual drop then 'blink', when it's the battery. Oh, a SF123 was used in the tests.

Dan C

Yes, I understand your chart clearly indicates the thermal protection worked.

All of my Arc4 measurements were done with cooling (force ventilation using a fan) so I'm assuming the thermal protection has not occured. I also assumed luca's Arc4 ran 20 minutes without the thermal protection with his water cooling.

The Arc4 is currently calibrated to not exceed 45c at the tempurature sensor. The sensor is about 4mm through an aluminum bulkhead to the LED slug with thermal compound between all joints. Our design goal is to keep the LED die below 60c at all times.

The effect is to overdrive the LED without the resulting damage to the die/phosphor normally caused by overdriving. The LED in the Arc4 is one of the best cared for LEDs in a flashlight and should last for a very long time.

Peter

Peter,

I have a question. With my Arc4+, the output sharply dimishes when it goes to the next lower level. However, with my Arc4x, the output start diminishing gradually when it draws to the close of the current level. It seems Dan's Arc4+ also diminishes gradually like my Arc4x.

Is it a software difference? Or...?

Great work!

Peter,

Question???...45c = 113 f if I did the conversion correctly. Does this mean that in ambient temperatures of 113 or over, Level 1 will be unavailable? I know for most people this is unimportant, but in the high desert or inland valleys of California, daytime temps in this range are not unheard of. Nightime highs of 90+ are also not uncommon. Might be interesting to see people's experiences during the summer months...I know I'm kinda curious.

[ QUOTE ]
snook said:
Nicely done! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Very interesting as well.

What type of meter did you used to measure with?

[/ QUOTE ]
I been looking into this LM361 meter. I have meters used in photography but they just give you F-stop setting! I decided to buy a LM361 and found this site with a free DMM with a order over $50. Looks like a good deal, not that I really need another DMM! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Check it out if your interested in a LM361: http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/3401