Popular drivers

For a complete list of drivers, definitely check out the flashlight driver database and this CPF thread. But here are a few drivers from budget dealers that people have found useful when modding or upgrading flashlights. All of these drivers are 17mm (good for P60 drop-ins) and use a micro-controller and PWM for lower modes. For more about types of drivers, see Driver article.

KD 7135 V2 A series of three different drivers with different numbers of 7135 regulators from KaiDomain. The board uses a PIC microprocessor and has eight possible mode groups with optional memory of last mode depending on how you solder certain contacts. The Low mode is a very dim firefly mode that some people prefer. KD uses higher capacity 380mA regulators instead of the usual 350mA, allowing for somewhat higher currents. This means the 8-chip driver is a 3.04A driver, 6-chip is 2.28A, and the 4-chip is 1.52A. Some people have been able to request custom sets of modes to be programmed into the chip from KD. Review: sixty545.

NANJG AK-47 3x7135 2.6-4.5V 1000mA linear regulator. Two versions, one by DX (5-mode) and one by KD (2-mode) with unadvertised mode groups available. Both have stars on back that can be soldered for different groups. Modes are nicely spaced at 5, 30, and 100%. Efficiency is very high, 85-90% on High. DX KD CPF Post Review of DX AK-47 Review of AK-47C

The NANJG 101-AK, 4x7135 version

NANJG ROHS 101-AK 2.8-6V linear regulator. Two versions, one is a 3x7135 1050mAh driver with 3 (LMH), 5, or 7 modes selectable by clicky. Has room on board to add 4th 7135 chip for 1400mAh output DX or KD. The other version of this driver is a 3-mode (LMH) version with 4x7135 on it already from Shining Beam with modes of 8%, 25%, and 100% with maximum output of 1400mAh. Review. International Outdoor sells a similar one marked 101-AK-A1 with 5 modes, but it can be set to 3 modes by soldering the two lower right legs together like the picture of the Shining Beam driver shows.

NANJG 105 8x7135 linear regulator driver advertised at KD as 1100mA, but is actually 2800mA. Runs off a single lithium-ion battery (which won't stay at 2.8A for long). Advertised as 5 modes, but has stars on the back similar to the other NANJG drivers that allow different groups of modes to be hardwired. At one time this was sold by Shiningbeam, but now they only sell the version below. DX 105C. Some people ordering this driver from KD have been getting a similar 105A or 105C instead. Sometimes the 105A blinks after 2 seconds to indicate the mode has been saved to memory, but the others do not Review of 105A.

NANJG 106 Similar to the NANJG 105 above, but the 7135's on the bottom are laid out radially and lacks stars to set modes (it is set to 3 modes). Available at Shiningbeam.

Programmable Drivers

Some drivers, like the 112A, AK-47 and the 101-AK above have an Atmel Tiny13 chip on board. It is possible to reprogram this chip using AVR equipment and software to get not only exactly the number of modes and the light levels you want, but also to program the driver so the light has a programmable UI. More information here. See AVR Drivers to get some of the basics.

References

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