Qlite Rev.A 7135*8 Multiple Modes Circuit Board 3.04A

HKJ

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Mar 26, 2008
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Copenhagen, Denmark
[size=+3]Qlite Rev.A 7135*8 Multiple Modes Circuit Board 3.04A[/size]





Driver is from Intl-outdoor.com

Official specifications:
  • Input voltage: 2.8V - 4.5V
  • Current: 3.04A
  • Constant current
  • PCB diameter: 17mm
  • PCB thickness: 1.6mm
  • Components height: 4.7mm
  • Memory function (sets in after 2 seconds)
  • No high pitch noises
  • No visible flicker on any mode
  • Reverse polarity protection
  • Gold plated spring
  • Gold plated contacts
  • Copper leads with tinned ends already soldered
  • Low voltage protection: At 2.9-3V the light will switch to an emergency low mode. At 2.8V the light will flash 9 times to announce imminent cut-off.
  • Strobe mode is 10Hz
  • Beacon cycle is 2Hz blink for 1 second, 4 seconds light off


Group of modes:
1st Star : 2% - 25% - 100% (Default)
2nd Star : 5% - 30% - 100% - Strobe - Beacon
3rd Star : 15% - 100%
4th Star : 5mA - 2% - 25% - 100%

Group selection is done with solder bridges, 1st star has a bridge on the circuit board and never need a solder bridge.
DSC_4513.jpg



This driver exist in many versions, with the same hardware and different program in the processor (Atmel Tiny13A). These programs control the pwm frequency, the modes and the function of the stars. For the stars only 2, 3 and 4 are used, the first is only part of the design and is not really used. It also means that it is never necessary to add a solder blob or cut the trace connecting it to the ring.
The driver can also have more or less 7135 chips, this defines the (maximum) led current.



[size=+2]Measurements[/size]

Tested with: Cree XM-L2 led.
Diameter 17mm
Max. height: 4.7m
Modes no star: low, medium, high
Modes 2st star: low, medium, high, strobe, beacon
Modes 3st star: low, high
Modes 4st star: moonlight, low, medium, high
The mode set selection is done with solder bridges on the driver.
The driver has memory, the actual mode is stored when the light is off for a short time.
A short off/on will select next mode. The light must be off a few seconds to not select next mode when turned on.
Driver is a linear regulator.
Strobe 8.9 Hz, duty cycle 40%
Beacon, pulse width 34ms, repetition rate 4.8 sec
Pwm is 16.5 kHz
The driver flashes a number of times when the voltage is down to 2.80 volt, then it turns the led off.



The four modes banks had the same high mode, but medium and low varies between them.

As usual pulsing current (i.e. pwm) makes it difficult to calculate power and efficiency. In any modes except high I am calculating with a fixed led voltage, but due to the high pwm frequency it is not very precise.
Due to the high pwm frequency the power and efficiency calculations has large errors in the lower modes



[size=+1]High 1st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL.png


High mode works exactly as expected from a linear driver, efficiency goes up, when voltage goes down, until the driver goes out of regulation at 3.6 volt.
At 3.05 volt the driver reduces the led brightness and just above 2.8 volt the led is turned off.

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HLDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HLLed.png


The green curve shows the average voltage across the led, below 3.05 volt it is reduced by the pwm.

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20high.png


The driver does not disable pwm at high.



[size=+1]Medium 1st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%20medium.png


Due to the fast pwm, the driver does not turn fully on. This makes the driver drop out of regulation at a fairly high voltage.

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%20mediumDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%20mediumLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20medium.png


Due to the high pwm frequency, the curve it not square, but rounded.



[size=+1]Low 1st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%20low.png


In low mode the light is never in regulation.

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%20lowDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%20lowLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20low.png


In low the pwm does not even turn fully on.



[size=+1]High 2st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202Driver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202Led.png



Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%202%20high.png




[size=+1]Medium 2st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202%20medium.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202%20mediumDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202%20mediumLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%202%20medium.png




[size=+1]Low 2st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202%20low.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202%20lowDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%202%20lowLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%202%20low.png




[size=+1]Strobe 2st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%202%20strobe.png


Strobe is 8.9 Hz with 40% duty cycle.



[size=+1]Beacon 2st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%202%20beacon.png


Beacon uses puls width 34ms with dual flashes and a repetition rate of 4.8 sec.



[size=+1]High 3st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%203.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%203Driver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%203Led.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%203%20high.png




[size=+1]Low 3st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%203%20low.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%203%20lowDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%203%20lowLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%203%20low.png




[size=+1]High 4st star[/size]
Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204Driver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204Led.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%204%20high.png




[size=+1]Medium 4st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20medium.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20mediumDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20mediumLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%204%20medium.png




[size=+1]Low 4st star[/size]

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20low.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20lowDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20lowLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%204%20low.png




[size=+1]Moonlight 4st star[/size]

In this mode the current consumption is too low for my "input current" range. As can be seen on the curve it has a resolution of 1mA.

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20moonlight.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20moonlightDriver.png

Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%20HL%204%20moonlightLed.png


Qlite%20Rev.A%207135x8%204%20moonlight.png


The moonlight mode is simply the pwm at it minimum setting.



[size=+2]Conclusion[/size]

Due to the linear regulation in this driver it does only work in a limited voltage range. It is simple construction, that is easy to modify like adding more 7135 (increase led current) or remove some 7135 chips (Decrease led current).
The tested version of this driver has a very high pwm frequency, this does increase the loss in the driver a little bit.



[size=+2]Notes[/size]

How do I test a led driver
List of all tested drivers
 

LilKevin715

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Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
712
Location
San Diego, CA USA
Thanks HKJ for reviewing a driver based off of the popular AMC7135 linear regulators. The graphs are especially helpful for explaining on how they work (relationship of Vin, LED VF, and efficiency). Do you notice any visual flickering on the moonlight mode on the 4th star?
 

THE_dAY

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Messages
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Location
sfv, california
Thanks HKJ,

With the limited voltage range of this driver is this less efficient than the Nanjg 105c that you tested?
 
Last edited:

HKJ

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Mar 26, 2008
Messages
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Do you notice any visual flickering on the moonlight mode on the 4th star?

I did not notice any, but I did not look for it either.

With the limited voltage range of this driver is this less efficient than the Nanjg 105c that you tested?

Due to the high pwm frequency this driver is slightly less efficient especially at the low levels.
The voltage range for the drivers are the same, the led starts glowing below 3 volt and they reach full brightness at about 3.5 volt.
 

THE_dAY

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Nov 28, 2003
Messages
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Thanks HKJ, maybe I am confused about the voltage range.
In the bottom of your review I looked into Notes: "List of all tested drivers" and it says the input voltage for this Qlite driver is (3.5V-4.5V) and Nanjg 105c is (2.9V-4.5V)
I see that as Qlite having a more limited voltage range?
 

HKJ

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Joined
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Messages
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Location
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Thanks HKJ, maybe I am confused about the voltage range.
In the bottom of your review I looked into Notes: "List of all tested drivers" and it says the input voltage for this Qlite driver is (3.5V-4.5V) and Nanjg 105c is (2.9V-4.5V)
I see that as Qlite having a more limited voltage range?

It is the list, I have decided to use the voltage range where the led have full brightness when possible (A direct drive drives is impossible to specify this way).
With the Nanjg I used the voltages where there is some glow in the led.

I need to check the full list to secure all values are consistent.
 

iamlucky13

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Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
1,139
I'm digging up this old thread because I have some additional data to add when using this driver with the optional STAR firmware. I took this data because I was surprised by the finding that the driver with stock firmware falls out of regulation early at lower outputs, which is opposite of what I would have expected.

This poor regulation seems to get very little discussion, but I believe it is merited, especially because I think the standard Convoy driver, which has a similar design, experiences the same effect.

I looked for more information about why this driver regulates poorly at low modes, even though some other lights that use high frequency PWM and 7135 chips do not (I found data for the Emisar D4 and an older version of the Okluma DC1 that had QLite, I believe with the NLite firmware).

Not finding clear information, I ordered a couple for my own project with the STAR firmware from Mountain Electronics. I chose STAR in part for the off-time mode control, and in part to see if different firmware behaves differently..

I hooked one of them up to a linear power supply to do a rough repeat of HKJ's test. The driver was assembled into the head of a Convoy S2+ and powering a Nichia 219C.

Disappointingly, my results were similar to what HKJ measured. See the graph below. Ideally those lines would be as close to 100% as possible as far to the left as possible.

RaVyg7aPT0t2mdz815oTaF0fa5aPTR8unYd64X5d5erMlR7rrcXFBmfpaF75iX3cV_F1y2HHbZsKSqcDuydzx6eWjp8WeQExup26qBVdRxRISLei16uP71H3VMnJVHVI323I61tckvZqV_sFMdt60V7-a7BMxKLuGHQFyatZLeJOYQzPHrNFR2zuUcj1-FNC1yvYnvYQ_HS1H1_zfgqlWm_uEUnOhQdbMjEoXsSNOik6udGgQu8YtqZn4X-fkOkFZg75hAghmYzKHnPUHEKWsr5fGh1-rFrAM4YWB0dUWat5ZaZY00ydMvCEeKLJ-TKj-r9F4ucCNLrtz_umIAcXrnHrl1pNbqBk_gw0ECMNoDvgmaOZXAG2Co8sPuGi5rgaFc5o6_TdpFmetc_WHRncV7OHad6NZMciSWxKsAjuY5sNzG8aRgDkAjzmx_ezVyHslKAHgec7RnOVrC-jOBa8OobP5wCqn83UQc6b2-vmgt6iLkrmn9gSbN6P14y2XBDrDJoU77Xbqo9RQlSjLJOVR_cHFIz9pvg1DrcUwUSyzndqJZqitKmLbYEPK7OsWQHaSw2f6KoPU0-R4zM9y9Rb9Y--EMj44pHGM7SL9DRlu4EugtJIM8mK5sBIIoQPYNh7JW7vqa8yLwXlk2R9VustCsTWqxG0OoJB=w574-h416-no


At 100% programmed output level, it held regulation to 3.4V. I think this is good for a simple, low cost driver. The dropping output at higher voltages was probably due to the driver getting hot.

At 25% programmed output, it only held regulation to 3.9V. Output seemed a little off at higher voltages, but not enough to worry about.

At 3% programmed output, it showed no regulation, and in fact, current draw was a bit lower than expected even at 4.2V.

For the price, I'm willing to accept this result. However, I think it should at a minimum be clearly documented, and I'm hoping long term, people more clever than myself will figure out a way to improve the performance of this or similar drivers.
 
Last edited:

Tobias Bossert

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Oct 7, 2007
Messages
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Location
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I guess the problem comes from capacitor C1, which may be far to small to supress voltage sag during on stage of pwm. Try with a much bigger one with low esr and I predict the behaviour will change to "normal".
 

iamlucky13

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Oct 11, 2016
Messages
1,139
Thanks for the suggestion. Did you have a ballpark increase in capacitance in mind, like 2x, 10x or 100x?

I believe the driver normally has a 10 uF capacitor.

I'm afraid I don't know the details of the design well enough to understand what this capacitor does, and my mainly mechanical background doesn't help me. It sounds like you're saying it compensates for transient voltage drops in the driver, such as due to inductance, in which case higher capacitance is good.

I bring this up because when I look at HKJ's oscilloscope data, the slow rise of output from the 7135 chips looks like an RC circuit response, which makes me wonder if that capacitor plays a role in switching the 7135. If so, higher capacitance could undesirably increase the time constant and worsen the problem.

I'm surprised how little discussion I've found on the poor regulation at lower PWM duty cycles here or on BLF, given how common both Qlite and the Convoy driver are. I also have to wonder if any other drivers using the Atmel microprocessors and 7135 regulators (Moonlight Special, H17F, Texas Avenger) exhibit the same effect, but it simply hasn't been measured yet.

Yet, the Okluma DC1 review I linked to above had measurements indicating excellent regulation at 50% duty cycle (output level after a timed thermal protection step-down).
 

sween1911

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Dec 10, 2003
Messages
2,048
Location
Pennsylvania
Hey guys,

Late to the party. I have a QLITE on the way from Mountain Electronics. It's loaded with the default firmware. Do you know if there's a star-combination way to get 1-mode 100% only? (I should have ordered it with guppydrv, my bad). Big fan of the Dr Jones modules, I have an H17F in my Surefire 6P and it does it all.
 
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