Titanium would drive the cost of this thing through the roof real fast. I recomend sticking to the standard Aluminum, brass, or maybe even copper as they are far easier to machine and less expensive by volume then TI.
Is the battery compartment sealed? It looks like the red/orange part in your diagram is the battery itself.
How is the light switched on?
What driver are you planning to use? I would prefer a LuxV LED to make it a showpiece light.
Anyhow, will keep an eye on its progress. This will be a nice light. Good work so far. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]
Is the battery seal a secret? I happen to know how it seals and it's very clever.. i think mobile1 may have already posted a blown-apart diagram that shows exactly how it seals but I can't remember so i'm not sure if i'm at liberty to say.
Mobile is working on a very neat solution for the dimming of the light.. and i think that he was planning on using LuxV but it could be just as bright with K2 driven hard or more useful with an Sbin K2 driven to 700mA (100 lumen). with the right driver any number of choices are available.. but a K2 or L3 won't be dimmable with a boost driver.
Something else to share:
We wanted to use 3 sealed membrane switches (one to turn the light on, one to make it brighter, one to decrease brightness) to operate the light. The problem however is that this would need an upfront one time investment of about USD 1,000 from my part, so it would increase the price by about USD 50 - 100. My initial reaction was to keep the light in the USD 150 range and not go for the really cool custom membrane switches.
However if I find 10-20 people willing to spend USD 250 for this light, we would try to do the 32 level brightness regulation and membrane switches. What's your preference on that?
Right now For USD 150 you get a regulated, fixed level light. However you can adjust the brightness with a small screwdriver when the battery is out. The problem is water sealing a tiny switch. The only reliable way (IP67) to do it would be with membrane switches (to fit in this package).
So would you pay USD 250 for a light with membrane switch brightness regulation (don't think there was a light out there ever that had that?)
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Then the answer to some questions Hotbeam
To your questions. Is the battery compartment sealed. Yes and No. The parts in a battery compartment that need sealing (the ends +/-) are sealed. The battery cylinder (red in the diagrams) are not sealed - but dont need sealing since that part of a battery is water sealed already (as Andrew said there is an exploded view further up - however in the real light the Oring interfaces will be done a bit different but same principle).
How is it switched on?: The light is switched on in the back. Turn the round knob in the back and the light turns on (with the membrane switches it would be with a button located in the center section of the light). Driver: The designer that reviews the designs (and has access to specialists at this space company) designed a nice constant current driver. Andrew has an ingenious driver that would work. However I go with the space company since they are then responsible to make the entire light work (instead of having multiple parties involved).
Regarding LuxV. I think using a LuxV with 120 Lumen doesnt make sense when you get the same (or more) output with a V binned K2. The K2 also has a much better life span (I think 100,000 hours compared to 500, it can handle much higher temperatures and it's more efficient lumens/watt, which means you get more runtime with the same brightness.
Re: Membrane switch brightness regulation for USD250?
mobile1,
Very very cool design. Regarding the two switch choices, if you can offer both that will be ideal. I will pick the membrane switch. This light is ultra cool, and worth the money. Titanium will be awesome with this light, and no need to worry about heat build up. Also, it will be nice if you can offer the option of other metals for those who do not want to spend $$ on exotic metal and keep the cost down. I personally will elect Titanium.. Period!!
Thanks for the update, and keep up the great work. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Re: Membrane switch brightness regulation for USD250?
I'd go for the "brightness regulation"--this is one really different looking light and, should it perform as well as its looks, its a winner! Go for the best here, it'll be worth it!
Karl [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif[/img]
Re: Introducing: The Flashlight Reinvented (Design
well someone could also take some of these glow sheets for the kids and wrap it around the battery before it goes inside of the rods. The green glow coming from behind the bars/rods would probably look pretty cool too.
Imagine going through airport security with that....
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Or explaining it to the London Underground Transport Police.. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] just looks too much like a detonator if not explosive device [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif[/img] but hey, that doesn't mean I wouldn't want one. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
almost the exact design was used in a movie... "like trying to find meaning in a Pauly Shore movie" (quote from 'clueless').. but it was a pauly shore movie.. he was in a Jury.. maybe 'Jury Duty' but i'd not bet the farm.. anyhow at the end the guy has a knife that bolts together and has 4 rods and a ring top and bottom looked just like the gatlin' here but with fewer rods and larger.
I like the look o this light.. the genius is in the surface area... the steady-state temperature of a flashlight is directly proportional to the surface area of the heat sink in free air and almost nothing else... there is effect from you holding it if it gets hot.. but if it's not hotter than 93F on the outside your actually warming the light not cooling it.
In addition this design lets the battery cool a lot better than any other design for sure.
Re: Introducing: The Flashlight Reinvented (Design
This look funny.I am sure this can't be waterproof.
It look great but i dont think it is a good idea to make a light like this.
People wont be happy to hold this light.
anyway thinks to share ideas.
Re: Introducing: The Flashlight Reinvented (Design
Thunder People who say this can't be done have always been my greatest inspiration. And your reaction is exactly the kind of reaction I want to create with this design, and then see the look on people's faces when the light gets dropped in a bowl of water while turned on.
I don't agree that people wouldn't be happy to hold this light. Here is why. The light will be much cooler then any other similarly powered light. I think the design is so unique and different that it will be a thrill to hold this light and show it to others - at least thats what we are striving for.
Whether we are really able to make the light waterproof, we will know soon. But I think this will be the most mind boggling characteristic, if we succeed. Besides the guy in charge of making sure it is water proof normally designs stuff that is going to Mars. So chances should be pretty good that we succeed. We'll see.
Re: Introducing: The Flashlight Reinvented (Design
I don't know if this question has been answered before, at least I couldn't find anything. Why do you use slotted screws? I think Torx screws would look much better and would be a lot easier to screw, since you can't accidently slip out of the screw and scratch the flashlight.
Re: Introducing: The Flashlight Reinvented (Design
Mobile,
I've liked your concept from day 1 and feel that not bringing it to fruition we be an injustice to the flashlight world. Don't let the "man" get you down!
Re: Introducing: The Flashlight Reinvented (Design
Spacemarine Thanks for mentioning the Torx screws. I'll see what we can do and what looks best - the scratching is a point.
BugOutGear LOL - the light will get built. Worst case it will just be one first run. Best case, more runs and a continues evolution will happen with lots of interesting features and improvements. No matter what it is it will be a unique light that is totally different to anything else.
The signup list for the gattling light will most likely be closed after this coming weekend. So if you want one, and havent signed up yet, signing up before I'll close it, is the only guaranteed way you will get one of these unique lights (if this stays the only run - which depends on future interest). Also the light is produced at cost - so I don't make any money on this.
For the people who signed up already I will send out final designs, options and costs hopefully by this coming Sunday or Monday or a litle after.
[ QUOTE ] mobile1 said:
........... Also the light is produced at cost - so I don't make any money on this.
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I greatly appreciate your generosity, but all the time you invested is surely very valuable. Please build a little profit into the price for yourself. I might feel too guilty otherwise ! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif[/img]
Re: Introducing:The Flashlight Reinvented(CAD) 5W-
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