The Trigon XML (Mk 3)
The development of the new Trigon has only been finalised after a great deal of thought, the mission being to get everything right first time and to utilise the new technology to best advantage.
In considering how the XML technology could be applied to the Trigon, the logical first step would be to update the emitters with XMLs and then just change the loop back resistors for a lower value so as to drive the LEDs at a higher current.
However, with the emergence of the new emitter the goal posts have moved considerably in that now it not just a case of getting as many high power LEDs into a lamp and then driving them at full power, but now there exists the very real situation whereby doing this will exceed the capability of the heat sink platform.
Experimentation confirmed that this is just the case, so the avenues of possibility then fell into 2 distinct directions, that of taking the aforementioned course and driving 3 emitters at a lower current so as to produce as much light as was possible within the heat sink platform, or driving just 2 rather harder.
After some experimentation I found that taking the former course it was possible to get an extra 100 or more lumens, but at the expense of loss of efficiency through having to drive one of them as a single lamp, and also loss of light by dividing output between 3 reflectors, one reflector a small one at that.
The option of containing the main lighting modes through the 2 large reflectors working from one switch further opens the door to other practical and useful functionality which has been applied to the previously described EcoStar XML
Now if one examines the Cree data sheet in detail one gets the impression that it was written by different people reading from different hymn sheets. There is no way that the XML is capable of producing 1000 lumens! Cree state 280 lumens at 700 mA, and relating this to the light against forward current graph this equates to 910 lumens at the maximum current of 3 amps.
However, looking at the chart of thermal characteristics it suggests something a bit dodgy above 2.5 amps. This is substantiated by the new Fenix TK35 tactical torch for which Fenix claim an output of 800 lumens. Relating this to the graph on the Cree data sheet this corresponds to a drive current of 2.5 amps. I regard Fenix as the premier producer of LED torches and feel that they have come to the same conclusion as I have.
I have therefore decided to make 2.5 amps my maximum setting.
The new Trigon is therefore radically different to the old; I have however kept on eye on the implications of upgrading existing models.
Furthermore the motivation has been to provide what people will want in a lamp together with practicability and user friendliness, no strobes, SOSs, or plays Colonel Bogey.
There are 3 separate switch positions, the 2 standard Oldham ones plus a completely separate one to power what I call the “Emergency Light”, the term “Pilot Light” suggests a gas boiler to me rather than a lamp!. This third switch is mounted on the LED module, in fact everything is now mounted on this, and the only trailing component is the emergency light which tucks in at the bottom and is secured to maintain its forward ‘in line’ orientation. This greatly streamlines production of the new lamp.
As with this heat sink platform, the LED module is built up on a copper plate that secures firmly to the leg of the thermodynamic heat conductor. A soldered copper bracket provides a ‘near to the glass’ mounting for the series wired tandem mount emitters that provide one of the alternative lighting modes.
The main beam is from 2 XM-L emitters wired in series and mounted behind the binocular reflector, the driver for these now returns to pulse width modulation (PWM) but in a more user friendly manner than the Mk 1.
There are 3 mode settings to which I have applied my own naming convention, a standard, high and turbo. I have matched the lowest output to the most useful output on the EcoStar, the next lamp down. This is the same in that the 2 series LEDs are driven at 200 mA to produce the output of 168 lumens, same as the EcoStars 400 mA on single lamp.
High is matched approximately to the EcoStars high output of 560 lumens with the emitters being driven at 700 mA.
The turbo setting drives the emitters at 2.5 amps to produce an output of 1600 lumens.
Left on this setting indoors the internal temperature maxed out at 78 degrees C after 20 minutes plus, thermal shut down comes in above this but I could not generate the condition where this will happen.
I am aware of the loss of the “Eco power” mode of the earlier model, I have experimented with this on the XL-Ls but found difficulties incorporating it into the lamp, however the most obvious issue was the jump from that setting to max. Also, the earlier model was subject to difficulty in appreciating the difference between the low walk mode of the single lamp and its higher setting and hope that incorporation of all normal settings into the one switch position using PWM will encourage the use of ‘sensible’ and economical normal use.
Although my own lamp, I have to say that I would impartially award it 10 out or 10 for general user friendliness.
An additional advantage of the new system is that overheat detection will power down the emitters to a lower output level rather than just turning them off. I have also been able to obtain better than 95% efficiency on some settings.
Changing modes does not require any knack of catching it just right, it works flawlessly even on a slight delay, however after prolonged delay the last mode is saved on memory and will be the one that the lamp opens to next rime it’s switched on. It will also memorise second choice which adds to the user friendliness.
The other main switch position powers 2 series wired Cree XP-Gs series wired and mounted in tandem on the same copper heat sink base mount. I call this “Daylight Mode” which replaces my previous description “Room Light”. It is more descriptive as the light of the XPG is in my opinion a lot more suitable for this purpose than the XML. After a lot of consideration I decided not to use a multi mode driver but just power them at a straight 1.46 amps. Because it is not a beam but an overall light I decided that incorporating modes would be more nuisance than good. The implication of this is that upgraders will have their existing XP-Gs recycled in to the new lamp, plus one of their existing drivers with a small change to a surface mount component. The old Turbo drive switch and sub miniature relays will be removed and represents the only non recyclable components.
I considered the option of giving a user ability to mix beam and bare emitter which is the trend followed by some other lamp builders. I have experimented underground over the last few weeks with lash ups of LEDs mounted on old computer heatinks etc and formed the opinion that due to the wide beam width of the XM-Ls, a very marginal advantage would be gained and this at a detraction of simplicity of design and user friendliness, and would have added to the complexity and cost of the lamp.
The new extra switch is mounted on the LED module and operates the emergency light. The inspiration for this came from 2 sources. A while ago I purchased a quantity of faulty miners lamps manufactured by Gokang, replacing the battery cells with 18650 Li Ions I was amazed to find that I could get 36 hours burn time on main beam. (For sale at £50 each, chargers £5, limited stock). The other was an offhand comment on a website about the recently trapped Chilean miners to the effect “I wonder how they managed for light”.
This lamp is intended for the situation that everyone dreads of being trapped underground waiting for rescue. It can also be used for chatting in a group etc as the only other low mode is 168 lumens. Additionally it is intended as the recommended switching position in the event of a power pack becoming fully discharged and the protection circuits disconnecting. The first time this happens they should come back on line almost immediately the lamp is turned off and turning to the emergency light it will continue to burn for several hours.
This single LED has its own built in reflector and gives a nice round beam. Driven at 60 mA the output is about 60% of the output of a standard LED miners lamp except for it being a wider beam, there is certainly enough light to get you out of anywhere, third party opinion agrees with this. A fresh 4 cell power pack should give you 3.5 days light.
When the Trigon was first introduced, it was at an introductory price of £140 as a kit with 4 cell helmet mount power pack, charger, and fitting kit of 4mm shockcord. I was ‘promising’ a price increase from the start. The cost of the new model as a helmet kit is now £165, so owners of the Mark 1 or 2 models will not really be out of pocket much as the expected upgrade cost will not be much more than £40. That has yet to ascertained.
As a passing comment, this lamp was developed before Scurion announced their new 1500 model, so I am not being petty by deliberately trouncing them, however at this time of writing the Trigon probably takes the title as “TheWorlds Most Powerful Caplamp” beaten only by my yet to be announced Mk4 MangnumStar
The gaff was blown while testing the prototype new Trigon in Browns Folly mine when I was happened upon by a group of explorers, one of them posted on darkplaces:
“I have witnessed Roy's latest lamp first hand in Browns. Bright does not really describe it, on full beam it was akin to a 250W halogen output, full flood. “
I have now to develop the new MagnumStar, I wouldn’t think its rocket science to see where it will go, there is a waiting list building up for it and it hasn’t even been announced yet!
I currently have a few people waiting for the new lamp, and am also awaiting a consignment of parts, so I expect that it will be some time before I have stock.
My avatar is a poor likeness.