IR Flashlight help

[Throwjunkie]

hey folks I'm looking to try and extend the range of my Nightvision was thinking of an IR flashlight THROWER any ideas ? I can see about 150 yards with my curent setup and still have recognition I would like to extend this another 100 yards

Joe

 

[ateallthepies]

Personally I think you will be better off going with an IR laser, something like a Dipol with multi output twist switch for the longer ranges. What gen night vision do you have? Another option is something like a cobra 350 mw IR led unit to get out to 300 yards with gen 1 and 500 yards with gen 2 but stock up on batteries though as it eats 'em!

Not sure what toys you have on your side of the pond but this is what I would do based in the UK.

Steve

 

[Throwjunkie]

Thanx brother I have a Gen 2 4X power monoc. most of my viewing is limited to 300 yards but there are areas of up to 1000 yards on my property I can see targets with my current set up out to 250 yards but have no positive recognition at that range. I was thinking Laser I biuld high output burning lasers just dont know what would be needed to build one in IR I'm guessing same stuff but not totaly sure was hoping for a ready made or easy build flashlight style. as I dont have much time for extensive builds and testing ATM. I dont mind buying from across the pond I have several good friends there willing to pick up and ship to me.

Joe

 

[alpg88]

you need 850nm led, something like this, than use any flashlight with good throw, and replace led\driver with this ir led,

850nm glows very dim red, barelly visible from even upclose, ir leds that dont glow are 940nm but they are weak. you can cover the glow with ir pass filter, any color negative that is overexposed (black frame) is ir pass filter.

 

[Throwjunkie]

Thats awesome would I need to use a driver for this package or direct hook up

jp

 

[alpg88]

yes you do need driver.

 

[Kcg]

Hi alpg88
If I used a flashlight that used a Cree led could I swop the Cree led for the ir led. Would the driver and heatsink be okay.
Kcg

 

[Kcg]

Hi throwjunkie
I'm into filming at night I use a Sony camcorder with nightshoot facility. Your IR illuminator sounds like it's what I'm after. I've tried lasers but the light isn't clean. So I'm looking at making my own IR light that throws out to 150-200yds.
My friend has swopped a 1watt IR led for a led in a 1watt torch and it works but only throws IR light out too 30yds.
I'm also thinking of swopping LEDs in torches for IR LEDs. I'm a complete novice so any ideas or help or suggestions much appreciated.
Cheers
Kcg

 

[alpg88]

white leds need 3-3,5v, ir led needs 1,5-1,7v, however linear drivers that used in 90% flashlights are constant current, voltage changes depending how much the led will pull at rated current.
similar story with red leds, they only need 2-2,2v but they work just fine with drivers used for white leds, for the reason i mentioned.
so there is a possibility ir led will also work ok with constant current driver, but i didn't try it myself, what i would do is to mesure V while ir led runs, if it is too high, i'd add resistor.
few times i did ir lights i just used 1 alkaline\lithium cell, with no driver\resistors, voltage wise, those cell are exactly what the led needs, and in my cases current was within specs,
as for heat sink, there is no difference between heat dissipation of white leds or ir\uv\...any color, so if your heat sink was sufficient for white led it will be as good for any color led, of the same power.

 

[Kcg]

Thanks alpg88
That's well put, easy to understand. I'll try swopping a few IR LEDs into other torches, I'll let you know how I get on. I've just ordered the IR LEDs. Just need to find a good host torch that throws a good beam out to 150yds +.
I've seen a few nice torches on here but they're a bit to expensive to chop up.
Thanks again kcg