ths11,
I am planning on providing some links, especially the older threads I found on the A2--they're really neat.
But, this isn't the definitive thread on the A2, I don't think. It covers ground that maybe wasn't very well covered before, but it leaves a LOT of ground uncovered. I mean, I didn't talk about LED color choices or make comparisons to lots of other lights, or tell how to do regular maintenance and upkeep, or mods, or troubleshooting, etc., etc. A thread would have to be about three or four times the length of this one to be the definitive thread.
I only wanted to make a contribution to the collection of threads about this fine light. That's all.
What I really want to do next, in addition to the page of links, is post a picture of the o-scope readout of the LVR output to the lamp, and give the DC-equivalent voltage set-point and RMS power going to the lamp. Plus the LED-ring current draw (for all three, which is just over 100 mA on primary 123's). And all the neat tests a person can do to his A2 to non-destructively figure out (or convine himself of) what's going on. And discussion of whether or not there is a liner (there is), and what it's for (I think for structural/machining purpose: to hold up the LVR but still allow the body to be created by drilling through from one end) and so on.
But for now I'm going to let this rest. I may post the links sometime in the next week or so, but not the other stuff yet.
Although, I will just mention to people that you can not simply put a DMM in series, in place of the tail cap, and get a valid measurement of the current going to the lamp.
As far as I know, no one here on CPF has really accurately, scientifically calculated these figures for the LVR3L and MA02. Some good guesses are floating around but they have not been carefully and accurately confirmed.
I believe I have those numbers now, but I want to be sure before I post them.