Astro 40sl WorkLight - DIY battery upgrade - Longer Runtime

[jerseykat1]

Click the pic to see the video or click the direct youtube link down below.

 

[mv213]

Kinda long video but a great idea...I have this light on my Amazon wish list and will do the upgrade if I ever get around to ordering it.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Alright alright alright

We'll make a 40SLMAX, geez.

Battery capacity isn't going to increase peak lumens, the lumens will stay higher longer, but not increase over max. I'll see if we can squeeze some more out there as well.

 

[torqueman2002]

Say Chris,

While we're on the subject, could there also be an upgrade kit for those of us who have (just purchased) the 40SL?

BTW - I watch Eric O on YouTube - South Main Auto Repair. He uses the 40SL and other Astro tools. Maybe a chance for a beta tester there.

 

[Carquest]

Chris, awesome light just as it is bud

 

[torqueman2002]

Chris, awesome light just as it is bud

Yes, didn't mean to imply otherwise.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Say Chris,

While we're on the subject, could there also be an upgrade kit for those of us who have (just purchased) the 40SL?

An upgrade kit? The new one doesn't even exist yet

I gotta go back into the lab and convince the pixies to produce more lumen juice. While massive volumes and competition have driven down the price of the 40SL now, at the time i think we were considering heavily the price point.

The OP's 18650 cost $15, at the time we couldn't just tack the difference on to the sticker price. But in revising it now, I'll see what can be done in a cost effective way.

 

[dnschmidt]

Chris, these people are never happy. Aren't you glad that I'm such a considerate guy that I never make any suggestions to you.

 

[ckeboss]

Yea, also, I would be OK with a slightly larger base and stuff three cells in triangle formation.

 

[jerseykat1]

Yea, also, I would be OK with a slightly larger base and stuff three cells in triangle formation.

What he said!

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[jerseykat1]

60sl anyone... Lol

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[jerseykat1]

Kinda long video but a great idea...I have this light on my Amazon wish list and will do the upgrade if I ever get around to ordering it.

Yeah I know. I tried to be detailed and short but there was a lot of footage I edited out as well..

I use the 40sl a lot more often now.. @astro couldn't you guys put a battery door so we could swap out 18650 batteries.. That would be awesome.

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[jerseykat1]

Alright alright alright

We'll make a 40SLMAX, geez.

Battery capacity isn't going to increase peak lumens, the lumens will stay higher longer, but not increase over max. I'll see if we can squeeze some more out there as well.

honestly chris the light is plenty bright IMO.. Only thing it could use is longer life and or easily swappable batteries.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The problem with multi-cell solutions is that you need a more complex charger to do a "balanced" charge. $$


Chris, it you really ARE going to be the boys in the lab to work on something new, they need to switch to the new cell size that Tesla/Panasonic are coming out with. A bit fatter and a big longer (IIRC, 21mmx70mm vs 18mmx65mm), but a lot more energy. Probably hard to get engineering sample right now.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

SNIP...

I use the 40sl a lot more often now.. @astro couldn't you guys put a battery door so we could swap out 18650 batteries.. That would be awesome.

AGREE!

I use my O-Light flashlight all day on the job. So, on my desk I have a dual 18650 charger and swap batteries at night. If the 40sl could do that as well...awesome.

Old Wizard...Interested in this 2170? 21700? as well.....https://electrek.co/2016/11/02/tesl...energy-density-cell-world-cheapest-elon-musk/ .......... &..........

https://www.greentechmedia.com/arti...ick-off-battery-production-at-the-gigafactory

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I think my point is being glossed over here. I can manufacture a 40SL with 1-2 improvements now, to placate the masses if you will.

Redesigning the PCB, doing new tooling to fit a different battery or battery pack, waiting for new cell tech to reach the market is not the sort of thing you do to a current light. Because people would have moved on by the time it exists. That sort of stuff is for ground up projects that start on napkins and 3D drawings, stuff I was doing half a year ago for the next evolution while people were seeing the 40SL for the first time.

 

[dkroth]

Auto Fix, thanks for the tip. I just might try it. Of course, I'm talking about the uprated battery, not using scissors wire strippers!

Chris, keep the great products coming!

 

[jerseykat1]

Auto Fix, thanks for the tip. I just might try it. Of course, I'm talking about the uprated battery, not using scissors wire strippers!

Chris, keep the great products coming!

LOL.. yeah man i knew somebody was going to poke fun at that.. it's all good.

 

[jerseykat1]

I think my point is being glossed over here. I can manufacture a 40SL with 1-2 improvements now, to placate the masses if you will.

Redesigning the PCB, doing new tooling to fit a different battery or battery pack, waiting for new cell tech to reach the market is not the sort of thing you do to a current light. Because people would have moved on by the time it exists. That sort of stuff is for ground up projects that start on napkins and 3D drawings, stuff I was doing half a year ago for the next evolution while people were seeing the 40SL for the first time.

so what your saying is that we won't get a light with 800 lumens and 8 hours run time that charges in 20 minutes?

lol..

 

[VolvO)))]

The light is wicked impressive as is, to be honest, even if it were at a steeper price point I think it would still be a bargain. I've seen guys spend 120$ on a lesser light.

 

[howpeculiar]

Thanks for the video, my 40SL only lasts about 45 minutes any more, so I am going to have to replace the battery, and i am happy to see that it is an 18650 cell!

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Thanks for the video, my 40SL only lasts about 45 minutes any more, so I am going to have to replace the battery, and i am happy to see that it is an 18650 cell!

We can take a look at it, see what going on - or replace it.

 

[skruft]

This the only rechargeable shop light I have and it is very very good so far. I hope the variable control holds up. The slimness is great for some purposes, like wiring home theater.

That said, I think an old time corded light with a CFL bulb in it is generally good enough for auto work, and the free HF light the best deal of all.

 

[mrjaw14]

Why not just make one with a removable battery? That way we can have several 18650s and swap them out easily.