Dimming an Infinity

[haertig]

Is there any way to easily dim an Infinity? I have a red one I want to use for astronomy, but it's too bright. I've already put the most worn out battery I can find in there, but it's still overly bright for this use. Has anyone experimented with putting some semi-conductive piece of something in series with the battery to accomplish a dimming effect? Would this even potentially work with the regulator circuit being present?

 

[paulr]

Easier to just block some of the light from the led, for example with a piece of black electrical tape (punch some pinholes in it to let through the amount of light that you want).

You could also look at the Rigel Systems lights that are made for astronomers. They have a brightness control.

 

[StuU]

haertig-
Agreed. I have the same problem with the CMG Infinity red being too bright. I'm still trying to figure out a way to deal with this. Nice light otherwise.

 

[paulr]

The absolute simplest way to dim it is just put your finger over the LED.

 

[Zelandeth]

How about a shrunk down version of that idea with the resistor for dimming an ArcLS twist switch which appeared a while back? have a hunt around, I'm sure you'll find it.

Could that be applied here?

 

[14C]

I think I saw some LED covers reviewed by Craig Johnson at his site:

www.ledmuseum.org

They are designed to go over white LEDS to give them color...maybe they would work to attenuate the light....you might have to do a cut down with an exacto knife...

EDIT:

They are designed to go over BLUE LEDs.

There will be some attenuation but I am not sure how much...




Ahhh...HERE they are:


http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/whitecap.htm

 

[Doug S]

Install dead cell.

 

[83Venture]

You might want to try The Rigel Systems Skylite which is designed for astronomy work - White LED, Red LED, each with variable power.

 

[haertig]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The "electrical tape with holes poked in it" sounds simple and functional, but maybe a little sticky when I take the tape off for non-astronomy uses of the light. Ideal would be a little black slip-on end cap that fits the Infinity (similar to the one's that come with some telescope eyepieces, but smaller). Poke a few holes in that, and you've got it ! Thanks again, everyone.

 

[NightStorm]

For that, try one of the caps that go on the bottom of kitchen chair legs. They should be available at your local hardware store. Have fun.

Dan

 

[gadget_lover]

You should be able to use onr of the firefly two stage switches. I'm not sure how you'll get it attached to the bottom of the battery tube.

The simple ls hi/low mod has instructions for making your own two stage switch from just a resistor and a piece of tape.

Daniel

 

[LED_ASAP]

You may also try a piece cut from the static-shield type of bags. They have either a thin film of aluminum or carbon on the surface that is partially conductove. If you fold the strip conductive-side-out and push it down the battery tube, it should add some resistance and make the light dimmer.