X-Boost Mini only putting out 310mA?

[Cube777]

Hi LPF,

I recently got a X-Boost Mini Adjustable from clif thanks and I hooked it up to my fully charged 18650's (From Larry) and I'm getting only 310mA max out of it. It is sufficiently heatsinked and the current change when I turn the pot, but only up to 310mA. Any suggestions why it's doing this? Thanks!

EDIT: I just realized that this exact same problem has happened before with a FMT V2 I bought. Can this maybe be from using a to low wattage resistor in my test load (I'm using a 1W)? It is the same selectable test load that bobhaha built.

 

[DTR]

Also the X-boosts that I have received had a solderable bridge to go from low power to high power mode as the pot can't have that large of a range.:beer:

 

[Cube777]

Thanks DTR! Where should I bridge it? Cajunlasers' link doesn't work. I saw that there was two ranges but the low range should be able to go to 800mA :undecided:

 

[bloompyle]

How many diodes are you testing it with? 4.2V with 6-9 diodes will do the trick (info directly from Angelos)

 

[sinner]

I was getting a bit confused at first with my home built 6A testload but I think increasing the no. of diodes from 4 to 6 corrected the problem :beer:

You have to duplicate the parameters close to accurate only then you can achieve a true reading with boost drives. :beer:

Hope this helps!

 

[Cube777]

I was using 6 diodes, so that not the problem. I also don't think it's the resistor as I have tested higher currents on it. What else could go wrong?

 

[Blord]

Did you try another 18650 cell ? You could have a bad cell.

Btw 310mA could be a good current for the PL520 diodes

 

[Cube777]

Yes, I ordered 2 18650's from Larry and it's the same with both of them. Could it maybe be the internal resistance of the cell?

 

[Blord]

Do the current change if you turn the pot ? or is it fixed at 310mA.

 

[mhemling33]

Can you post a picture of it so we can see the heatsink :beer: Did you heatsink the other driver the same thing happens to?

 

[Cube777]

@mhemling33 It is heatsinked on the heatsink of a Guidesman host: (Thanks Eud for the pic)

@Blord It does change, it goes like this (while turning it clockwise) 0----->200mA---->310ma----->0mA-------200mA (it's like if it resets itself)

 

[mhemling33]

Are you sure there I'd no way it could of bumped into anything causing a short. I have done this to an xboost and I was getting very low current because when it temporarily shorted it damaged the driver. I was powering a so6j and it became really dim. Lazeerer puts out great stuff and his quality control is excellent that is why I ask if you could of done something by accident.

 

[Cube777]

There is some silicone thermal grease on the IC side which should be heatsinked but it should be an insulator. I'm thinking the problem might lie with the test load, as the same problem previously occurred with a FMT boost driver (maybe one of the latter diodes is faulty?) I'm aware that Lazeerer makes great drivers, this is why I was surprised when this happened.