Funny you should ask that lightwave1. Instead of lugging around those lantern lights I plan on making something for general area lighting. I have some of the parts already and a general plan of what I'd like to design and build. Once I get my LED's from LedSupply hopefully next week I'm looking into its feasibility, light output, etc.
Everyone here seems to be designing and building or modding throw type flashlights so I thought I'd build a HQ area/general use/tent type light. Here is the idea; weather it comes to fruition remains to be seen as some of the electronics might be beyond me (any electronics guru's here want to lend a helping hand I'd be most grateful)
Body to be made from 1¼" polycarbonate or plexiglass, frosted
power/electronics housing to be made from stainless
O.A.L. approximately 4"
1W or 3W Luxeon
internal power 2 parallel 123's
circuit to be a CC regulated,reverse pol. protected, 1.5-12V capable
some kind of waterproof/resistant DC input, leads to have magnets for connecting to exteranl primaries, including any lantern or LA type battery up to 12V.
Basically the idea is to have a luminary capable of lighting a fair size room, something like a 13'×15' enough to read a book with or cook by and when/if the primaries fail, be able to use the lead with magnets to hook to whatever power source you can find, loose 2032, AA, D, steal a 9V from a smoke detector, yank the 8AH 6V from the kids toy barbie car, or drag a spare car battery out of the garage...you get the picture I think.
I may find that this is quite infeasable or impossible to accomplish, but the first place to start is an idea. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif