I'd like to create a design based on a compendium of knowledge of CPF members. And I hope people can get excited about this and would freely express their ideas however "out there" they may seem. I strongly believe that some of the best ideas in the world are not expressed.
Agree with you, the more we talk the better it comes.
I hope this is coming out in the proper location/thread. I did not want to post in Custom and Modified because most of that (like most CPF) is geared toward flashlights, and this idea is for a multi-purpose LED light.... which started with this
wish list to which I added #11 today.
I'm going to be the Devil's advocate. What is the use of this light?? Who is its user? How much is he/she ready to pay?
As you can see there is not a unique answer for your questions, it will pend on many factors. So... is it possible to make 1 flashlight perfect for X users with Y purposes and N budgets? From a philosophical point of view, no.
But let's face the requirements.
1) Non-proprietary design (meaning its freely shared)
No problem. Unless there is some money involved in form of investing. If anybody invest in let's say a PCB for a LED driver, he will want for sure a payback, at least. If not you are going to need a minimun mass of people ready to pay in advance.
2) Lumen range of 500-1500 -- Higher is better
This will lead to multichip, multiled of heavy overdriven area. But doable, of course.
3) Heat sinking designed into housing/mount configuration
Many lights are already that way.
4) Focusable (is this even possible?)
Yes, it is. We even have a patent pending on this, but no problem at all if you want to use it for non profit purposes. I can give you details.
5) Adaptable for bike, headlamp or hand
Doable, but very hardly if you are not thinking about accessoires, or a modular design... hand, bike and head have their own needs in terms of output and beam pattern.
6) Electronics capable of adjusting for conditions
Easy to do, but it is going to need some invest.
As 6)
8) Readily available parts
Not so easy if you look or something new... it is going to take some time to find everything you need.
9) Don't have to take out a second mortgage to do it
IMHO at least 300 €/pc to make something similar to waht you propose. And that does not include any initializing costs, or prototypes.
10) Easily built once parts are acquired
Doable, but you need to approach this form the point of view of a zero skilld modder. If not you are closing too much your target.
11) Employ drop-in (or quick change) components
No prob on this.
I'm hoping that there could be an
instructable guide. Question: Would this "product" necessarily need to be built or prototyped to know it will work?
YES, yes and YES. Prototypes are the only way to avoid multipliying your first mistakes x 1000.
Maybe the result is a set of non-technical drawings with links to various components that can be order or acquired at a store? Can it be known in advance to work because its parts are compatible, without actually building it?
Probably according to this would be to use SF compatible parts. Make a compatible body or set of pieces that can be assembled into a body, designed to use readily available parts... But you need to forget about focusing, or even the 500-1500 lm range. SF parts and light patterns are aimed to a tactical use, so not optimized for headlamp or bike use.
About question about No. 4 (focus-ability). I thought I saw an LED MagLite at Costco that is focusable, but I may have been assuming remembering how the conventional light. Is it possible to do have a focusable LED light without sophisticated optics?
What kind of focusing do you need? From 1º to 90º? Mayibe you are happy with 20-70º? If so you can do something using a mulichip. If you want narrower focusing you need multiple single chips leds, and that will lead to complex optics.
Is anyone interested in this or is this idea overly-ambitious? Will people want to be involved in something with no brand or profit involved (other than knowing one was a part of it)?
My point of view as a Devil's advocate, tells me that it is too much ambitious. And experience tells me that in some point you are going to need some extrenal help, and that means money. Is possible to find investors?
I think other than an occasional dispute over technical issues CPF forum seems filled with bright and creative people. Maybe an online project would be fun and interesting for many members... What do you think? And what about the list above? I wouldn't want to throw anything out based on assumptions though....
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There are many projects running right now like what your propose, but they are less general and more dedicated to a use, as for example
the carbide lamp replacement one. Maybe you should think what kind of flashlight you need for yiur personal use, and then try to find people with similar requirements, and perhaps will be able to make something.
Don't hate me because of my point of view, I don't want to discourage anyone... At the end it takes some time to write this and give you my advice. And if your will is strong enough this just will make it stronger
For more specifical questions let me know, you can do it here or in my subforum.
Javier