I want to make a single high power LED flashlight; I'm new to LEDs and need help!

[mkodama]

I've been reading plenty of threads and researching as much info as I can, but I'm still having trouble planning out a project I want to do.

Goal/Requirements:
-Light from a single Seoul Semiconductor P7
-On/off switch for a low beam with ~450 lumens
-Momentary on/off switch for a high beam with ~900 lumens

The reason for the P7 was that it seems to put out the most lumens for the smallest package. The high beam option is only for temporary use since an LED making 900 lumens would likely get very hot and drain batteries quickly. Hopefully these are all reasonable goals with no major flaws.

The problem I'm having is with driving the LED and the wiring. I need to know what driver or drivers to use, what voltage for the power source, and how to wire things like the drivers and the switches.

Any help, suggestions, or information would be appreciated. Thanks. :candle:

EDIT: I got my info mixed up, goals change to something more realistic.

EDIT2: Sorry for the impossibly slow response, I am new I guess so every post has to be approved by a mod.

 

[Packhorse]

Re: I want to make a single Cree MC-E led flashlight; I'm new to LEDs and need help!

No disrespect but I think most if not all these question will be answered if you read through some other posts. This way you will learn a lot more and come to a much better understanding of what is involved.

Some questions you may want to consider yourself.
What are you going to use for a body?
What reflector/optics are you going to use?
What burn time do you expect?
What battery set up do you want to use?
Can MC-E's put out 1000 lumen?

 

[mkodama]

Re: I want to make a single Cree MC-E led flashlight; I'm new to LEDs and need help!

No disrespect but I think most if not all these question will be answered if you read through some other posts. This way you will learn a lot more and come to a much better understanding of what is involved.

Some questions you may want to consider yourself.
What are you going to use for a body?
What reflector/optics are you going to use?
What burn time do you expect?
What battery set up do you want to use?
Can MC-E's put out 1000 lumen?

Yeah, I've been trying to search for info but it's just been kinda hard. I haven't been here long so I don't know all the proper terminology as well as I've only had the time to read so many threads.

As for the other questions,
-I was going to try and get everything to fit into 1" OD, 0.87" ID (22mm) 6061 aluminum tube.
-For reflector I was going to use a Ledil Boom Reflector
-Burn time, not quite sure yet, but greater than 1 hour
-Battery setup, preferably compact enough to fit in my back packet or clip only a belt.
-My mistake, I got my numbers wrong, MC-E's don't put out 1000 lumen or at least not for long term. I think the highest rated output is 700 lumen. In that case, I might as well go for the Seoul Semiconductor P7 with it's 900 lumen rated max output.

 

[Scattergun]

I think the easiest way of accomplishing what you are trying to do is to buy one of the empty Ultrafire C2 flashlighthosts from DX, then put a P7 in it. Go either with direct drive from a 18650 and a resistor in the tailcap for a low. -or use some of the multimode drivers with a 17mm diameter.

But first read up on every thread about P7 modding and different solutions for a better understanding about what you need.

 

[Greg G]

It really depends on the runtime you'd like to have, and how big or small you want the light to be.

There's a couple ways to do it.

Small: A single 18650 cell light. DX has one. An AW 18650 battery. A Shark Buck converter or D2Dim (or its replacement) would work for a driver.

Large: M@glite. C or D. I have a 3D that I run in direct drive off 3 NiMH cells. Simple and reliable. If I wanted to dim it I'd add a driver. You can also build a single C cell Li Ion light. Short but bright. It could be run direct drive or with a driver for levels. The latest P7 light I built is a really pretty pewter 2C M@g. It runs off 2 AW C Li Ion cells and has a Shark Buck driver with a Remora for 3 levels.

Spend some time searching through threads to find what suits you. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. That's what we're here for.

Good luck.

 

[kuksul08]

I think he plans on building from scratch with some aluminum tubing, lenses/reflectors, buying switches and wiring it together as a little project.

 

[Scattergun]

If Kuksul08 is right.... I think reading up is the first thing to do....

 

[kuksul08]

If Kuksul08 is right.... I think reading up is the first thing to do....

We have been talking about it on instant messenger. I suggested using 4AA's (or equivalent voltage) connected to a 4x AMC7135 board. That'll give 1400mA. Then there will be another 4x AMC7135 in parallel with a momentary switch, to give another 1400mA when the switch is pressed.

Similar to http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=192677 but no need for a multi mode driver.

The I can't help with the reflectors/lenses though because I know nothing about them for the p7