500 Lumen - AAA Flashlight (photos) - Work In Progress

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Part 2

After nearly 1500 replies to this thread, We'll close this one to create a new one.


#Important: The MBI Torpedo is still in the planning stage - currently verifying feasibility of all features and planned settings.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to everyone's great feedback,
here is the concept/design of the new AAA flashlight Im planning to make.

it comes with 1 head & 2 bodies

1st body = AAA size
2nd body = 10280 size

Power Supply: 1V~5V
This will run on anything that fits
1.5V AAA
Li-Ion 10440, 10450
Li-Ion 10280

Size:
with AAA Body = 65mm Long, 14mm diameter
with 10280 Body = 47.5mm Long, 14mm diameter



Target price for the first run is $65 or less.

Production Timing:
expecting prototype end of November 2011
1st production run about 1 month after that.

1st step now is to get the prototype made.
Clip design is not yet finalized.

Also, the final length may increase (max of 10mm but hoping 5mm at most), depending on the final driver size.

As always, I welcome your feedback.
Oh, and be gentle but honest, this is my first "production" model light.



tgwnn


Latest Specs/Summary (updated 2011-12-03)

[Gadgetman7]

What would the lumen rating be using Eneloops?

[smokelaw1]

If I remember correctly, this will be a li-ion only light. I think it looks amazing. My only comment is that tailstanding on a light this size seems like it might not be a great idea. Given the size, any time in anything but level 1 or 2 without a hand dissapating heat may be problematic.
That said, as a pocket light fanatic, I will gladly volunteer to test, photo, and generally drool over this light at any time. Oh, and I'll buy one too!

[the_guy_with_no_name]

If I remember correctly, this will be a li-ion only light. I think it looks amazing. My only comment is that tailstanding on a light this size seems like it might not be a great idea. Given the size, any time in anything but level 1 or 2 without a hand dissapating heat may be problematic.
That said, as a pocket light fanatic, I will gladly volunteer to test, photo, and generally drool over this light at any time. Oh, and I'll buy one too!

Hi Smokelaw1,
Thanks for the kind words, the driver can now support standard AAA's (1.5v) as well.
There is auto-temperature control so if you use turbo mode (500 lumens) it will auto switch down to the next lowest mode when it gets too hot.


@Gadgetman7
Im planning for the lumen rating to be the same, regardless of battery type.

tgwnn

[Danielsan]

hmm, what is the sense of an AAA Li-ion only light? I mean ppl like AAA Batteries and Eneloops because they have tons of it and its available everywhere but AAA rechargable Li-Ion? It is a special product for a minority and it looks like the light will need more then one AAA so you can also take one wider Li-Ion rechargable?

[the_guy_with_no_name]

hmm, what is the sense of an AAA Li-ion only light? I mean ppl like AAA Batteries and Eneloops because they have tons of it and its available everywhere but AAA rechargable Li-Ion? It is a special product for a minority and it looks like the light will need more then one AAA so you can also take one wider Li-Ion rechargable?

Thanks for the feedback.

Just updated the first post with info about power supply.
This will run on standard AAA's (1.5V) as well as Li-Ion's.

tgwnn

[saypat]

I'm in for one! By Christmas?

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I'm in for one! By Christmas?

Thanks Should be in time for Xmas!

tgwnn

[jseklund]

I don't know how much this will set me back...but I want one!!!

[JS_280]

I don't know how much this will set me back...but I want one!!!

Same here...

[pjandyho]

Stainless or Titanium offerings?

EDIT: Wait wait wait... you mean this light is going to measure 65mm (6.5cm, or about 2.5") on the diameter? That's too fat for my liking.

[jorn]

The torpedo tail looks cool, but i suspect it won't tailstand well under keycain/lanyard duty when a split ring is in the center knob?
If you drill a hole in one of the torpedo fins, it can still tailstand with split ring installed. Then we have 2 attacthments to choose from. One hangs slightly crocked, but will be able to tailstand with keys/lanyard attatched. And the other hangs straight from the center knob, (but is harder to tailstand without using mcgyver tecnology). Everyone will be happy

Cool that someone finally dares to make a little beast like this. Love the tiny flamethrowers
Any chance of some neutral xm-l's for the tint snobs here ??

[the_guy_with_no_name]

@jseklund, @JS_280
Thank you!!

@pjandyho
First version will be Aluminium TypeIII/HA.
After that, if there is enough demand for SS,Ti versions
I'd be more than happy to offer those as well.

tgwnn

[nbp]

Looks awesome! How is the UI worked? Rapid on/off twists or a progressive twisty? Or a reverse progressive twisty actually I guess, haha.

[nbp]

Stainless or Titanium offerings?

EDIT: Wait wait wait... you mean this light is going to measure 65mm (6.5cm, or about 2.5") on the diameter? That's too fat for my liking.

I think that's the length. Otherwise you're approaching SF turbohead size.

[shane45_1911]

EDIT: Wait wait wait... you mean this light is going to measure 65mm (6.5cm, or about 2.5") on the diameter? That's too fat for my liking.

I am sure that is the LENGTH, even though the drawing makes it appear to be a diameter measurement.

[the_guy_with_no_name]

The torpedo tail looks cool, but i suspect it won't tailstand well under keycain/lanyard duty when a split ring is in the center knob?
If you drill a hole in one of the torpedo fins, it can still tailstand with split ring installed. Then we have 2 attacthments to choose from. One hangs slightly crocked, but will be able to tailstand with keys/lanyard attatched. And the other hangs straight from the center knob, (but is harder to tailstand without using mcgyver tecnology). Everyone will be happy

Thanks for the feedback.
The hole is designed at an angle so that a split ring should be able to be positioned between the fins. Adding a hole in the fin is a good work around too.
If you use a strap (the kind used for attaching trinkets to mobile phones) or even a metal type, it will sit just fine, and not get in the way when tail standing.

Cool that someone finally dares to make a little beast like this. Love the tiny flamethrowers
Any chance of some neutral xm-l's for the tint snobs here ??

It took a lot of wrestling
and the auto-thermal step-down should make it reasonably safe for non-flashaholics too.

tgwnn

[jseklund]

Stainless or Titanium offerings?

EDIT: Wait wait wait... you mean this light is going to measure 65mm (6.5cm, or about 2.5") on the diameter? That's too fat for my liking.

It states 14mm X 65 mm - so unless it's 14 mm LONG, I am guessing the 65 pertains to the width.

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I am sure that is the LENGTH, even though the drawing makes it appear to be a diameter measurement.

Yes, that is the length,
otherwise it would be a triple D Cell keychain light

[gunnerdog]

It states 14mm X 65 mm - so unless it's 14 mm LONG, I am guessing the 65 pertains to the width.

its about time somebody came out with a hockey-puck shaped light!

any idea on what the price point would be?

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Any chance of some neutral xm-l's for the tint snobs here ??

Not sure just yet, but I can check.
Do you know the exact bin number?

tgwnn

[smokelaw1]

Hi Smokelaw1,
Thanks for the kind words, the driver can now support standard AAA's (1.5v) as well.
There is auto-temperature control so if you use turbo mode (500 lumens) it will auto switch down to the next lowest mode when it gets too hot.

I sincerely apologize for putting old info out there. Will this thing reach full power on alks? I can't imagine 500 lumen on a standard AAA....but if you can do it...even for 30 seconds, well, I'll take 2!

[the_guy_with_no_name]

its about time somebody came out with a hockey-puck shaped light!

LOL

[coolperl]

500 lumens from AAA 1.5V ? ...This means driving the LED at 1.5A (and we are talking about "emitter lumens"). There is no step-up driver, that could deliver this kind of current from a AAA 1.5V battery, nor any chance to develop/produce it, taking into accout available components and assumed size.
The only way to achieve your lumens (for a short time), is direct drive from IMR 10440 cell.

Anyway... best of luck

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I sincerely apologize for putting old info out there. Will this thing reach full power on alks? I can't imagine 500 lumen on a standard AAA....but if you can do it...even for 30 seconds, well, I'll take 2!

No problem's at all! I should have made it clear but just wanted to put something up sooner rather than later.
Yes, it should reach full power on alks (even though I expect the max burst will be 30 seconds) but I'll be able to confirm in the coming days as we work on the driver,
and I we'll need to test how well the solid head can hold back the heat before we need to reduce the power consumption.

Also, as we are really sucking a lot of juice from 1 cell (over max discharge for standard cells but heavy duties & IMR's would be ok), I dont think we can responsibly let it run on turbo beyond 30 sec's.
It may end up somewhere between 15-30 depending on final testing.

tgwnn

[flasherByNight]

didn't look at your details too closely, but may I suggest keeping some of the specifics (especially if it's at all original) close to your vest.
Or you may see copies on "extreme" sites before you even release it

[the_guy_with_no_name]

500 lumens from AAA 1.5V ? ...This means driving the LED at 1.5A (and we are talking about "emitter lumens"). There is no step-up driver, that could deliver this kind of current from a AAA 1.5V battery, nor any chance to develop/produce it, taking into accout available components and assumed size.
The only way to achieve your lumens (for a short time), is direct drive from IMR 10440 cell.

Anyway... best of luck

Thanks. Im glad someone else understands how difficult it is to try and accomplish.
The biggest challenges so far have been exactly the things you mentioned: the driver, the size & dealing with 1.5V.
I can't say with certainty yet what the final power output will be from an alkaline cell,
but we are creating a custom PCB/Driver combo.
Stay tuned!

tgwnn

[the_guy_with_no_name]

didn't look at your details too closely, but may I suggest keeping some of the specifics (especially if it's at all original) close to your vest.
Or you may see copies on "extreme" sites before you even release it

Thanks for the words of wisdom!
Much appreciated.

It is all original.
Who-ever wants to copy....
Go for it! Flatter me to the "extreme"

If you think this is even modestly cool,
you aint seen nothin' yet

tgwnn

[Zeruel]

Undoubtedly the first AAA to use XM-L, it's ambitious but very nice. LED to be mounted on a solid head helps thermal dissipation somewhat, but the question is how long will it maintain 500lms before it auto steps down. I wouldn't mind if it's just a little thicker to help with the heat if it makes any difference at all. Tightened for off is a fantastic feature, IMO, something which more twisties should do. A trivial suggestion for the clip if you would consider, oxidize or coat it in black. I can't stand those shiny steel or chromed ones on a nice, black HA light anymore, but others may differ. And LOP, OP or SMO for reflector?

Looking forward to its completion!

[dealgrabber2002]

Any crazy single AA light in your cooking pot?