Latest DB LED flashlight creation

[Go Go Gadget Flashlight]

Free, one of our members, commissioned me to build him a "maximum DB".<BR>Well, it's done and on its way to the Free household. ;-)<BR> [image]http://wsphotofews.excite.com/030/4Q/il/i9/Mj17352.jpg[/image] <BR>37 white Nichias in a 6AA DoubleBarrel. [image]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/image]<P> [image]http://wsphotofews.excite.com/029/Tb/pR/eq/Uj63851.jpg[/image] <BR>No tools, no resistors, 1.5 amp current draw (40 ma each).<P> [image]http://wsphotofews.excite.com/032/mi/Xs/TS/HF50170.jpg[/image] <BR>Switch and bulb assembly is held in by the bezel. No screws.<P> [image]http://image03.webshots.com/3/2/78/24/20927824vfMIUrwQgr_ph.jpg[/image] <BR>Here's a pic from my hallway. No other light, "daylight" white balance, Kodak DC280, from 8 feet. <P>He will get it in a couple days. Until then, any questions? [image]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/image]

 

[Azreal911]

all i can say is that it's a pretty disgusting piece of lighting. how much mcd does it give out and it's run time? is that as bright as the luxeon star led?

 

[Brock]

Holy $#!t. I have to say that is the most LED's I have seen in one light. So how are you powering them? 4.5v straight? What does it pull at what voltage? Wow...

 

[Go Go Gadget Flashlight]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Azreal911:
all i can say is that it's a pretty disgusting piece of lighting. how much mcd does it give out and it's run time? is that as bright as the luxeon star led?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Disgusting?

5,600 mcd Nichias, overdriven, so MORE THAN 210 Candelas.

I don't remember what the Luxeon rates in Candela. But this is quite a bit brighter than probably 3 or 4 Luxeons.

EDIT: I just did some checking. White Luxeon rated at 180 CD on axis, 10 degree beam. These are 20 degree Nichias and overdriven, so they are probably just over twice as bright, maybe three times brighter.

 

[Go Go Gadget Flashlight]

Brock, 1.5 amps at 4.5v (parallel AA's), no resistors.

 

[KenBar]

Gadget,
What did that bad boy cost??

You do really nice work...You need a job!!

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yeah... I'd like to know too.

You can use email if you want info private.

Great light!!!

- verge -

 

[Azreal911]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Go, Go Gadget Flashlight:
Disgusting?

5,600 mcd Nichias, overdriven, so MORE THAN 210 Candelas.

I don't remember what the Luxeon rates in Candela. But this is quite a bit brighter than probably 3 or 4 Luxeons.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

errr disgusting as in "sick" and wicked! but that type of lighting seems to be even more brighter than the action lights! fill it with lithiums and you got the perfect emergency light. will have no bulb failure, or else there's tons of redundancy and the lithiums will be good for awhile in the trunk of car. that's pretty awesome, the brightness of 3-4 luxeons!? how many nichia's 5600mcd do you need to equal the brightness of one luxeon? i'm really considering saving up for a arc-LS.

 

[Go Go Gadget Flashlight]

Kenbar,
Thanks. You're right about that job! Still looking.

Verge,
Thanks. I'll let Free answer that here on CPF if he wants to.

I'll email you and Kenbar the price, but would like to keep it private until Free speaks up.

Azreal,
Thanks.

I wasn't sure what you meant...
I don't know how many Nichias equal a Luxeon, but I think the Luxeons win the cost comparison. $$ vs. brightness.
The ArcLS will definitely be a better light than this.

Much more utility. This is non-regulated, simple overdriven LED light. The LS is a work of art, squeezing all the usable electrons out of its power source, as well as maintaining full brightness during most of that time. Definitely better than I can build. I am getting one as soon as they are available.

 

[JoeyL]

Gadget, you never fail to impress me.
I hope you get a job in a high tech design oriented field. I admire your talent.

 

[Go Go Gadget Flashlight]

Joey, Thanks!

I'm not here to impress. It's nice to get feedback from other who appreciate the same things I do. The comaraderie <sp> is what's so cool about this place.

I look forward to seeing what others can create. A little competition never hurts, though.

I'm currently waiting to hear back from Hobbico (Tower Hobbies parent co.) about a R/C Car Product Design position there. With any luck, I'll be designing radio control vehicles for them shortly.

 

[flashfan]

Gadget, one word says it all...

WOW!

 

[Glow Bug]

Gadget, I want one...make that two! Awsome light!!!

 

[Free]

Hey Gadget, you have been busy while I have been snoozing!

First let me say that I commisioned Gadget to make me this light so that I would have the biggest baddest LED light on the block so no one else can have one

I have a Tektite Expedition 1900 and I loved the floodlight type of glow it gave me for navigating outside at night. But, you know how it is being a flashaholic

I just wanted more! I was considering the upcoming 60led dive light but I didn't like the housing and wanted a real flashlight feel for easy carrying and easy on and off.

I can't wait to get the light, I just checked the tracking info Gadget supplied to me and it left the Midwest yesterday afternoon at 2:18pm on its way to the Southwest via USPS. Does anyone know how long it will take

As for the price, I will leave that up to Gadjet. It may have taken more or less for him to configure the light than he planned so he may want set a different price for the project. But if he does it again I may just have to get him to make me a DB 50

BTW as for the Lithiums, Gadjet mentioned to me that they may not work right in this light and I would hate to damage it. Does anyone have any insight on whether I should try that or not?

I will let you guys know as soon as I get the new DB 37!!!

 

[Free]

Ok Guy's, I paid $130 including shipping for the light. Compared to the Expedition 1900, which costs about $150 and is half as bright, the DB37 is a great deal!!

And Gadget is a pleasure to work with

 

[vcal]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by videocal:
Free/Mr.Go-Go:
Any time either one of you guys want to say how much that nasty looking flashlight actually costs, it'll be OK with me!

My thought would be the same flashlight with 3 Luxeon Stars in it, -I have some wallpaper to remove

p.s.-Looks like nice work..

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[JollyRoger]

Wow, looking at that...beast...I'm in awe..

Gadget...I just might have to ask you to make me something in the future....

I must say...VERY IMPRESSIVE!

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well done, Gadget.
Incidentally, you have an e-message from me.

 

[Free]

Oh...Oh....It looks like I started something

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Free:
Oh...Oh....It looks like I started something

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

...uh huh.

When you receive the DB37, please do a "quick and dirty" comparison with the expedition 1900. I am thinking of purchasing the Limited Edition aluminum version for the ruggedness I require for the work I do.
The Surefire 10X is also a candidate to replace my 9N. It is a different requirement than that for the aluminum 1900. The 10X still has unresolved "growing pains" and the metal-version 1900 may not be bright enough. The DB37 may fill BOTH needs.