nevermind

[Illum]

EDIT: Prototype Poorman's Driver overheated, Drill press motor somehow burned out, aluminum channel specifications incorrect, unrealistic offset in center of gravity, Components out of stock, the blueprints were in pencil, pencil and rain doesn't go together. Demands not heavy enough as incentive for build....but the main reason that the plan is now rolled back indefinitely is insufficient funding to facilitate ongoing prototyping.

I'm attempting to solve an astronomical illumination issue in nonastronomical proportions.

Our club has a display table, about 3' wide and 6' long. I am the club photographer/field assistant/ "light guy" and was charged to build a table light within budget. :thinking: [gee, why me:whistle:]

We cannot anticipate a reliable supply of AC power so it will have to be battery operated, either 9V or 12V, most of the scopes that are tracking will be eating up 12V supplies, if I'm going with 12V I might ave to supply myself a jumpstarter

So far the idea has been the use of an aluminum " [ " bar mounting 6 Lambertian Luxeon Is [LXHL-MD1D].

Vf    If (ma) x2    x3    x4
2.3    50     4.6   6.9    9.2
2.4    100    4.8   7.2    9.6
2.5    150    5.0   7.5    10.0
2.6    200    5.2   7.8    10.4
2.7    250

A previous concept was built with 3 red luxeons mounted on a gooseneck, made quite an impression from its versatility. It was mounted with two resistors to an on-off-on switch and a 9V battery, it was a simple 2 mode analog selection between low [50ma] and high [150ma]. 9Vs were supplied from the month/two month change out of smoke alarms, so far this 9V has supplied us with enough energy to last a couple events on low.

As the night progresses and your eyes gets adapted to the darkness, the lesser you'll need in intensity. I'm planning to use a output control circuit that can turn the array down from the preset high down to the point were the 6 Lux1s resemble 6 5mm LEDs. Why not just use 5mm leds? because the output is limited to less than 50 degrees and is more blotchy than I give them credit for.

Parameters
Vin: 9V
Iout: 25ma to 300ma

Currently the plan calls for two binary switches [on-off-on] with the resistors to set current on one to be 25ma and 150ma, while the other set for 50ma and 150ma. Have the two strings of 6 crisscrossing each other and achieving four different output levels: 75ma, 200ma, 175ma, 300ma using one bring string between one dim string

The current project will be two strings of 3 in parallel, driven by a power supply of 4x9Vs in parallel sealed in an enclosure, then have the entire assembly propped up from the table to a height of about 3' high by heavy gauge formed metal wire. on which the end will fit in nicely to the " [ " bar and held together by metal tension.



I plan to create this light sometime before April, where there is a Dark Sky Festival coming up, we'll see :candle:

 

[Random Guy]

Re: Astronomers table light build

Dimmable BuckPuck?

 

[Illum]

Re: Astronomers table light build

I wonder..
I don't know if their trimpots can take the abuse of being constantly adjusted and whether or not they can be used at such low currents

 

[Random Guy]

Re: Astronomers table light build

The toughness of the potentiometer will depend on which one you buy. (It is an external part that you connect between two pins of the BuckPuck)

 

[Illum]

Re: Astronomers table light build

The toughness of the potentiometer will depend on which one you buy. (It is an external part that you connect between two pins of the BuckPuck)

I thought the trim pot was built in? :thinking:

 

[Hack On Wheels]

Re: Astronomers table light build

So what will the light be used for? I'm actually working at an astrophysics research center right now, but I'm working with spectroscopy data and not with the telescopes or anything. I'd be interested to know more about this and what your club does! :)

 

[Mr_Light]

Re: Astronomers table light build

I thought the trim pot was built in? :thinking:

You can buy the Buck Puck with included trim pot or attach your own. I use the included version on a dimmable LED lamp I made and feel it's fine for careful use (it does have a plastic shaft). If the included pot breaks you can always clip the wires and attach your own heavy duty pot. I would highly recommend the dimmable buckpuck with red CREEs or other appropriately colored LEDs.

 

[Illum]

Re: Astronomers table light build

So what will the light be used for? I'm actually working at an astrophysics research center right now, but I'm working with spectroscopy data and not with the telescopes or anything. I'd be interested to know more about this and what your club does! :)

well, as a club we tend to set up at locations where we can attract publics attention to us and we try to premote the hobby of astronomy where we can.

Usually among the scopes we have a table that has pictorial illustrations of the relative size of planets in our solar system compared to the known stars outside et al. We print copies of sky charts and teach people how to use them. Since we support our local observatory we also supply literature on their upcoming events, show schedules, and other current events.
Occiasionally we would bring in old Sky/Astronomer magazines to provide the kids or adults something to look at while in line to view through our scopes.

Most of which described above is resting on a folding table supplied by one of our members. Where the legs fold out when the table top is unlocked and laid flat from halves. Many members store their eyepieces and assorted cases under or around the tables. So the light must be dim enough to read by when used as a reading light and bright enough for individuals to rummage through their black cases and black foam to find their accessories without having to hold a flashlight/headlamp in the process. Despite my advocations most of the lights in the club still consists of 3AAA energizer headlamps with the legs of white 5mm LEDs cut off:shrug:

I loaned out a couple red gerber infinities and they've gone missing, so now I get called in to shine lights at areas of interest during setup/troubleshoot/breakdown. I am fortunate to be among respectful individuals and much of what I've lost was reimbursed by something equivalent.

Our clubs website is www.brevardastro.org, its a bit outdated as our webmaster "retired" around the beginning of this year.

I have more fascination with telescopes than what I see from them, and I am only affiliated with the club because:

• I get to be outdoors and uses lights almost everywhere from sundown to midnight or whenever the event ends or the session concludes. Red only, for setup/trouble shoot and white for takedown, searching for lost parts, scanning the perimeter for wildlife.:D
• Theres alot of privileges the club recieve that I'll have to do alot of *** kissing to recieve on my own:nana:
• Theres notable people in the assembly who's stature and prestige combined with trust developed over years of being in the organization together might score me a well paying job someday:o
  • A wide array of members from Mechanical engineers, statistians, pest control, etc gives me a good database to inquire if I have questions on certain irrevalent to astronomy but very relevant to lifes little problems, especially plumbing:shakehead
• I fell in love with the President, who bakes goods for every occiasion, likes flashlights with strobe modes, and generally someone I enjoy working with :whistle:

You can buy the Buck Puck with included trim pot or attach your own. I use the included version on a dimmable LED lamp I made and feel it's fine for careful use (it does have a plastic shaft). If the included pot breaks you can always clip the wires and attach your own heavy duty pot. I would highly recommend the dimmable buckpuck with red CREEs or other appropriately colored LEDs.

:sold: