Modified Victorinox LED light (Midnite Manager)

tterev3 · **on:** July 26, 2011, 03:39:07 AM

Hi all,

I have lurked for a while now and I'd like to share a mod I did. I have replaced the LED in my Victorinox Midnite Manager with a red Cree XPE, and added a microcontroller to take care of some modes to increase the functionality of the light.

I made slight modifications to the circuit board to accommodate the uC, giving it access to 3V from the battery and configuring the switch to connect to an input pin instead of switching the LED. Since I could configure the I/O pins on the uC to whatever I needed, the layout worked out nicely. I used an 8-pin SOIC uC and snapped off the 4 unused pins. I had to cut away some plastic in the area where the uC fits, and then some small channels for the LED's positive wire.

From the outside it looks like stock but you can tell the difference in the LED if you look closely. I tried using a few different white LEDs at first, but the Vf was just too high for the single lithium cell to drive with any reasonable current. The red XPE draws 10mA on maximum for a runtime of 3 hours. The video below shows the modes of operation.

I hope you guys like it, hit me up with any questions.

ICanFixThat · **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2011, 03:53:20 AM

That is SUPER!!!!

Any way you could sell this mod to be inserted into existing lights, or sell the programed controller to be soldered in?

Sidhartha · **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:44:30 AM

woow very nice job! congrats!

gustophersmob · **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2011, 06:53:34 PM

Quote from: ICanFixThat on July 26, 2011, 03:53:20 AM

That is SUPER!!!!

Any way you could sell this mod to be inserted into existing lights, or sell the programed controller to be soldered in?

+1 Well done!

If you don't want to sell these, can you post a schematic and parts list (and sources for the parts)? I really want to try this!

ironraven · **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2011, 01:18:51 AM

NEAT!

And guys, he got fancy. Unless you've got the tools program the microcontroller and the code to put in it, the parts list won't help.

Although selling a few uCs and boards might get you some knife money, tterev.

How about taking on the light in the 91mms?

Stirling3749 · **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2011, 03:06:11 AM

That's outstanding.

WWW · **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2011, 03:22:39 AM

Fantastic mod!!!

I may try it when and if I get a vic with an LED!

Good job mate!!

Take care

gustophersmob · **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2011, 03:39:28 AM

Quote from: ironraven on July 27, 2011, 01:18:51 AM

NEAT!

And guys, he got fancy. Unless you've got the tools program the microcontroller and the code to put in it, the parts list won't help. Although selling a few uCs and boards might get you some knife money, tterev.

How about taking on the light in the 91mms?

Actually, I do have access

So, if he is so kind as to offer up schematics an PNs, I'm still interested.

tterev3 · **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2011, 05:48:10 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes, I'd be happy to provide programmed chips or to perform the mod service if there is enough interest. I can also provide my source code for people who can program their own. I'm open to suggestions on the user interface and functions, as I have a lot of fun coding this type of thing and would love to keep improving it. I'll put up the code and schematic when I'm back on my home pc

Gadget Guy · **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2011, 06:15:02 PM

Quote from: tterev3 on July 27, 2011, 05:48:10 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes, I'd be happy to provide programmed chips or to perform the mod service if there is enough interest. I can also provide my source code for people who can program their own. I'm open to suggestions on the user interface and functions, as I have a lot of fun coding this type of thing and would love to keep improving it. I'll put up the code and schematic when I'm back on my home pc

Put me down for one.

Ombudsman · **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2011, 07:37:08 PM

Just a suggestion for a Morse S.O.S. Emergency Mode, similar to this app:

tterev3 · **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2011, 03:06:55 AM

Here is the schematic for the modification:

That's all there is to it. The PIC12F615 is the only part added (except wire) (if you keep the stock LED). The circuit board needs slight modifications to disconnect Vcc from the LED and to connect ground to one side of the switch. Beyond that, everything works out well for the physical layout because of the pins selected on the microcontroller. I'm happy to put up source code if anyone can make use of it.

gustophersmob · **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2011, 12:43:54 PM

Excellent, thanks!

After I get the parts to play with, I want to try my hand at generating the code (not much of a code guy, but should be fun).

If I fail miserably, I may be interested in your code.

Neil · **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 01:15:22 PM

I'm all for not reinventing the wheel; code please

A nicely executed mod sir, well done

tterev3 · **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2011, 11:44:25 PM

As requested, here's the code. I wrote it pretty quickly so it's not well commented, but I'd be happy to answer any questions. The assembly source code and the hex file are attached. Both can be viewed as .txt, just remove the .txt extension to actually use them in MPLAB.

Gimmeabreak · **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2011, 12:40:47 AM

Wow! Very impressed. You took that and ran with it.

Aloha · **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2019, 05:54:57 PM

I just ran across this. WOW this is super cool. Have you guys actually got your Vic lights to work? I have no clue how to do this mod but I'd love to have a white led work like his.

kamakiri · **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2019, 06:01:33 AM

Quote from: Aloha on February 04, 2019, 05:54:57 PM

I just ran across this. WOW this is super cool. Have you guys actually got your Vic lights to work? I have no clue how to do this mod but I'd love to have a white led work like his.

WOW. Me too.