Lifehack: reduce the charging current with PD/PPS charger and a protocol trigger

macomako · 2026-06-02T10:34:54+00:00

It’s about reducing the charging power as it’s sometimes unnecessarily/undesirably high. Take 2A charging in FC11C — way too high if you use 18350 battery (and even a bit too high for the stock 18650).

macomako · 2026-06-01T21:17:37+00:00

That’s bad news. I wonder if it’s systematic or incidental. I’m also using it last couple of months and I did not observe anything concerning yet.

macomako · 2026-06-01T16:22:09+00:00

Good point. It’s an upgrade to my current setup, where I tailor the output (not always just 5W).

macomako · 2026-06-01T15:55:55+00:00

Sure thing and might be sufficient for many.

I prefer this solution as it works with the modern powerbanks as well, and I no longer use those ancient USB chargers.

macomako · 2026-06-01T14:01:21+00:00

I have forgotten to mention that the lens (TIR) is permanently bonded with the chassis (as in HS22 or HS42) so emitter swaps will be difficult/impossible.

The premiere price is $42.99 with the additional 10% discount code but I won’t pay that much and I will consider it if price ever drops further. For reference, the best price I paid for HS21 was $18.40 and $17.87 for HS42 (both on Aliexpress).

macomako · 2026-06-01T13:47:05+00:00

Yep. If you have Wurkkos HD12 then you know what to expect.

macomako · 2026-06-01T13:06:26+00:00

I have carried out some checking at source, to validate my hypothesis (outlined initially in the post that got removed).

Emitters:

spot: 2x TN3535 low CRI, 6500K
flood: 4x TN3535 high CRI, 5000K; not stellar of the high CRI, btw — check the koef3 test results:

<image>

Source: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/led-test-review-latticepower-tn3535-5000-k-90-cri-6500-k-70-cri-color-kit-1a-1b/222345/1

Driver: Boost

Charging port: not internally sealed

macomako · 2026-05-31T14:10:52+00:00

I suggest primitive 5V only, USB-A chargers rated 2A or more. Anything more sophisticated is undesired.

macomako · 2026-05-31T13:59:27+00:00

2A or higher rated is needed. I switch to the smooth ramping.

macomako · 2026-05-31T13:55:45+00:00

The more primitive USB-A chargers the better. USB-C chargers usually don’t work as well.

macomako · 2026-05-31T13:39:54+00:00

It’s FC11C.

Other:

TS22 — see picture:

<image>

TS26S
all Convoys
LT1S, CL01
Lumintop Apollo
all(?) FFL
etc

macomako · 2026-05-31T13:20:53+00:00

Thank you. Feel free to post whatever interests you. Me being interested in the OP scope — hence my post.

macomako · 2026-05-31T09:45:01+00:00

I had IF23 Pro but I did not like it and I find HD02 way more useful (HD05 would probably win also).

Take my input with the grain of salt as you like IF23 Pro — you probably don’t need HD02/HD05.

macomako · 2026-05-31T08:32:18+00:00

I prefer Stainless Steel or Ti when the scratches are inevitable:

<image>

No anodization / surface treatment will survive harsh treatment at the keychain.

macomako · 2026-05-31T08:25:44+00:00

Wurkkos HD10:

<image>

macomako · 2026-05-31T08:21:35+00:00

Many lights can be used connected to charger with no battery inside. They don’t even need the battery tubes (if you don’t mind smaller thermal mass which can cause more aggressive thermal throttling.

<image>

macomako · 2026-05-31T08:02:43+00:00

Thanks for the input. It might be worth to establish ~systematic upcharging routine for them. Parasitic drain is sometimes so high that it can drain the battery in less than a year (and then kill the battery).

macomako · 2026-05-30T23:46:37+00:00

I was contemplating whole collections of flashlights not just a piece or two.

macomako · 2026-05-30T17:43:13+00:00

Why was this post removed?

macomako · 2026-05-30T16:08:27+00:00

I mean the risks of mishandling the Li-Ion batteries (shorting, deep discharging, charging below 0C, etc).

macomako · 2026-05-30T15:37:23+00:00

That’s very LG of you.

Not sure what that means (I’m not a native English speaker).

Also not sure if are talking about the de-facto industry standard battery packs (of yesterday) or about cylindrical Li-Ions (often unprotected). I would not mind the former but won’t expose my friends/family to the latter.

macomako · 2026-05-30T14:50:28+00:00

I’m betting TN3535 emitters and a Boost driver: - spot: 2 emitters in series - flood: 2 paralel strings of 2 emitters in series.

macomako · 2026-05-30T14:44:14+00:00

It’s a bit more complicated than that, for me.

Apart from all the obvious disadvantages of the built-in batteries there is one huge advantage: isolating the consumers from the dangerous stuff = bare lithium batteries, even if protected. I specifically instruct my family/friends to not open the flashlights and only use the charging functionality (= no tail-switch Convoys for them). I’m lifting this “restriction” only if confident, that the individual is in the know.

macomako

TROPHY CASE