Challenge? Make a Doggie LED

[tysonb]

Hello,

Newbie here, and let me know if this is inappropriate. I love flashlights, but lack the skill that most of you possess.

I am looking for a light that can hang from my dog's collar while we are out at night. it should run off of AAA or AA, be made out of metal, and have both ends blinking brightly in whatever colour won't bother a dog's night vision. It should also hang balanced with a strong place for a clip to his collar. Other suggestions on what to make are welcomed. This is just what I was thinking.

I would gladly pay for a piece that was nicely made. Obsidian has broken 4 pelican blinky leds. He is an energetic dogs who cuts through brush like it was soap bubbles. Perhaps a manufacturer will pick it up as a product.

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with. I hope some of you find this interesting.

Thanks,

Tyson /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif

 

[Darell]

Welcome Tyson!

I've done well with a colored Arc AAA hanging from the dog's collar. It won't blink, but it sways around so much that it flashes and twirls quite nicely. Durable as all get-out and waterproof. Will last about 5 hours per AAA cell. Fits most of your criteria, but not all. I've used Photons too. They blink, but they aren't nearly as durable.... and my dog can turn them off pretty regularly by just shaking.

 

[Steelwolf]

Didn't someone recently put in a post about LED dog collars?

Here I think.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=343067&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=21&fpart=1

Would that be close to what you're looking for?

 

[tysonb]

Yes it is.

Thanks. I have also been emailed about niteize that has a band, not a collar perse, but can act aas a collar on a small dog.

Thanks again for your help. I guess that I was searching for the wrong things.

Tyson

 

[JonSidneyB]

55 pounds is a small dog...Arc-AAA's work well as dog lites...even the white ones....the movement catches attention with that white spot moving about

 

[John N]

I think the Photon 3 Crystal is perfect for this. Here is a snip from a previous post:

[ QUOTE ]

Another type of marker that I have found works well is the Photon III Crystal w/the Rav'n crystals. I have a red one set on blink attached to the dog's collar. It's amazingly bright - the crystals work very well. Even though I use mine on my dog this should work well on your person as well. The Rav'n party light would also be good (RGB instead of single color) but I was being a bit conservative. (BTW, the batteries are pretty cheap if you buy them in quanity via mailorder. $.50 or less each.)

http://www.photonlight.com/index2.html

Photon 3 Crystal in action

[/ QUOTE ]

There are a lot of dog walking threads. Here are the main ones I know of:

an ideal dog walking light
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=129203&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1

Serious Lighted Dog Collars for Search and Rescue Dogs (and your pet too!)
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=21295&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1

Dog Light. (help, I need advice)
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=3983&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1

doggie blinker needed
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=52564&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1

Need help chosing Safety Collar for my dog
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB22&Number=158447&Forum=All_Forums&Words=%20Safety%20Collar&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=158447&Search=true#Post158447

 

[shankus]

Welcome to CPF!
I like your dog's name. Hmm, I wonder what color he is?

 

[John N]

Also, there was a post about an RGB version of the Arc AAA:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=346981&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

If you are worried about durability, this may be the answer. You might try adding a "dewdrop" of clear epoxy on the end to enhance visability.

Perhaps the head of the Arc could be filed down to expose the LED. Has anyone tried this? Is that area solid?

The other upside of these approaches is that they are fairly simple mods that don't require any special equipment.

-john

 

[PhotonBoy]

I've just returned from a Home Hardware store in Kentville here. They have a red spherical plastic light about the size of a golf ball with an attached keychain and a lobster-claw type clip designed to be attached to a dog's collar. Don't know what kind of batteries, but from the size of it, it's probably a couple of button lithiums. Nice concept, but the construction looked very flimsy, especially the small, black plastic on/off switch. Basically a one-season wonder. They also had a shot of it clipped to a back-pack. Unlike a bike-type of rear light, it's obvious they were trying to get 360 degree coverage. Didn't appear to be overly waterproof either.

On the plus side, it was only C$3.50 or so, or about US$2.50. Easier to buy another one than to buy new batteries.

 

[JonSidneyB]

well, the Arc also gives the dog collars a look of quality. Got $50 dog collars on the dogs that drip of quality not like store bought ones. Came from holster maker.

 

[Wylie]

I was trying to work with manufacturers of EL wire in order to build a better dog leash but they were not buying it. Funny thing was I had Nupaws on the other line and they were interested in what I was doing. Do not buy the EL wire leash they are very week and prone to breakage. Some people built the lamest crap!