GatLight V2 UPGRADE Thread

[mobile1]

Please continue all GatLight V2 Upgrade Discussion in this thread

[arewethereyetdad]

Whoo Hoo!  Allow me to be the first.  I love the V2 Gatlight!    Good to have an information thread on it.

[MR Bulk]

Hmmm, is this the one where you turn the endcap to vary the dimming?  Or is that the V3?

[regentag]

Option 2 please... times three.

One door closes, another opens.

Cheers,

[Geologist]

awesome - love the idea of the upgrade! 

[mobile1]

Ok here are more details


Right now this thread is intended to be an interest thread. If there are not enough people interested in this idea than we probably cannot do it right now. However the next time we build V3 drivers we will fabricate more than needed so that they are available to V2 owners.

The costs shown below are estimates at this time. However the final cost should be within +/-15%.

Option 1:
We will take your V2 driver and add a premium bin SSC P4 led. Then we replace the variable brightness components with the same ones used on the V3. In essence this creates a hybrid module that is half V2 and half V3. We are not just fixing the V2 module we are replacing parts of it to make it more like the V3 module. This option does not require as much time as option 2 because we have most of the parts in stock.

Characteristics:
Optimized for Secondary (rechargeable) cells Outputs about 1000mA at full power. This module will not work very well with primaries because the voltage drop at load. The brightness adjustment starts at low and increases as the knob is turn CW. Because the brightness adjusts from 0-100% the user must confirm that the battery is disconnected when the light is in the off position, otherwise the battery will drain slowly.

Estimated Cost: ~$30 + shipping

Option 2:
We replace your V2 module with a V3 module. This option will make the V2 function the same way as the V3. This option will require more time because we will have to fabricate more circuit boards and other components.

Characteristics:
Optimized for primary (non-rechargeable) cells Outputs about 700mA at full power. This module will work fine well with rechargeable cells however the drive current will be between 1100 and 1200mA. This means that the light can only be used for short durations if rechargeable are used. The brightness adjustment starts at high and decreases as the knob is turn CW. Because the brightness adjusts from 100-0% the battery drain issue is not a problem. The user can easily see when the battery disconnects.

Estimated Cost: ~$50 + shipping

Sending lights back:
The reason we request that the lights be sent back is to ensure that the unit as a whole is functioning correctly. However we do understand the international shipping issues so we will take just the driver module but it is up to the user to install it and adjust the battery contact on the knob. We will make an instruction on how to install and adjust the light so that we can make it as easy on everyone as possible.

Drivers for other projects:
The reason we wanted only V2 owners to participate in this is because we do not have the ability right now to just sell the modules to anyone that wants one. The costs for this upgrade are purely our costs (no markup), if we were selling this driver for other uses the costs would have to be higher. With that said, if you participate in the upgrade there is not any way for us to regulate how the drivers are used, I’m sure some may end up in other projects.

[zackhugh]

Interesting.  I'm glad my V2 will not be obsolete. 

Do you prefer that we specify interest in option#1 or #2.  I'm not totally sure at this point which I would want, but definitely one or the other.

[Amorphous]

Yeah.. 

Option 2 Please

[Geologist]

option 2

and thanks for maiking this happen!

[DFiorentino]

Option two, por favor.

 

-DF

[rmacias]

I will take either option 1 or 2.

Hey, I can't be greedy something is better than nothing. 

RJM

[ArsMachina]

I'm in for two V2 upgrades as long as I do not need to send my lights back over the pond...

I would also like to have my three V1 modules upgraded with P4 LEDs.

Jochen

[fläshgreëniè]

Option 1 for me 

[Lips]

Ahh,


I'm on the Hunt for a V2 now!


I'd bet there's at least 25 people just in my little "corner of the world" that would apreciate the GATLIGHT contribution to the
 

Unique Flashlight World...

Funny how much room there is to GROW for the Custom light Community!!!



Let's Get It On   


.

[Geologist]

Regarding option 2, would there be any use for the old circuit?  perhaps in some other mod?