Need help with alterations

[Outback0619]

This is a circuit board for an LED head light flashlight. It has a hi, low, and stobe feature. I would like to disable the strobe feature. I am an amature, please help.

 

[JonSea]

Not possible. It's programmed in to the microcontroller chip.

 

[Outback0619]

Is it possible to reprogram?

 

[sagor1]

The 8 pin chip is just a MOSFET to switch the current. Not sure what the 6 pin device is, but looks like some switching device as well, triggering the gate of the MOSFET device. I don't see anything with "logic" on this board, maybe it is elsewhere in the flashlight?

 

[AnalogKid]

Some flashlights are controlled by an ASIC specifically designed for flashlight control. Old memory says Sanyo used to make one. In any case, altering it is not possible.

ak

 

[JonSea]

I think you'll find the 6 pin chip is a "mystery microcontroller" as Big Clive puts it in his numerous teardown videos of similar devices.

Reprogramming isn't practical without a development chain for the micro, documentation you can read and whatever programmer is needed - assuming the chip isn't a one-time-programable part.

 

[Outback0619]

Thank you all for your replys so I can't just remove these chip and wire direct?

 

[alec_t]

So I can't just remove these chip and wire direct?

One of those chips will likely be providing a PWM signal for the Hi/Lo function. It may also be controlling LED current in some other way. You might get away with wiring direct. You would, of course, then lose the Hi/Lo option and might over-drive the LED(s).

 

[AnalogKid]

Thank you all for your replys so I can't just remove these chip and wire direct?

Depends on the switch. If it is an momentary on/off, then the chip controls the actual turning on and off of the LED. If the switch is an alternate-action (push-on / push-off) then you might be able to wire the switch directly to the LED (and its current limiting). Hmmm ...

What are the values written on the four paralleled resistors to the right? Also, if you sketch out a schematic of the entire light (not just the board), there probably is a way to bypass the chip.

ak

 

[Outback0619]

Thank you all for your expert opinions. In light of your help I am choosing to suffer the option rather than render the light useless.

 

[KevinW]

I purchased a clip on flashlight for a hat similar to that, it had too many options for me, all I wanted was a flashlight.
The electronics kept draining the batteries so I removed everything, added a new switch and placed a current limiting resistor in series with the led.
Now I have what I wanted in the first place and the batteries last like they should.