Burnt_Retinas
Enlightened
Re: Hotlips w Magic Resistor constant current circ
Milkyspit,
Your battery research is informative. It helps show that if you want power you've got to have a power source capable of providing that power. It also shows there is a cost. You obviously also understand that "X" lumens per watt, the more lumens you want, the more power you will need. Your research has also shown why it was important, for me at least, that this project be able to successfully run on, and be able to drain rechargeables both effectively and efficiently, yet be able to use any other primary cell technology when in a pinch. I use my torch for half an hour+ per night, every night, during winter when walking the dog. So far I've clocked up over 60 hours of torch usage this winter and there's more to come.
Your comments re amp-hour of battery vs actual - Hotbeam I believe was using 2AH made in China for the tests (what one sacrifices when in a pinch). They are therefore to be taken very conservatively and you will perhaps get better times with better brands. Additionally, most manufacturers of small AH batteries rate their AH capacity based on small current discharge values such as 20mA. The actual AH rates at higher currents will be much less, the difference being affected by the brand.
It was a tough decision which way to go for a regulator, but as soon to be released efficiencies will show, especially when using NiMH's, it did extremely well. You'll be impressed!
It is clear that for such power, and allowing for good runtimes, there is a trade-off - the size of the torch. It needs to be capable of holding cells of large energy capacity. A 2D is a good choice for this need.
All in all, you'll be impressed. It's a torch capable of being used as a real torch, not just a show-off item to blind friends intended to be run cautiously for just a few minutes for fear of overheating the LED or your draining primary cells (expensive by your $/hr numbers). It will be VERY bright, robust, well built, efficient, capable of very useable runtimes as a few examples have been shown, capable of running of readily available AA cells of multiple technologies and of course blindingly bright.
Pi_is_blue,
If you want more than 1.5A I recommend NiMH's (or a milkyspit 2 X 3 X 123's holder cartridge?). I hammered mine at 2A and it was ok (of course there were reduced runtimes). You could also go more current and basicaly use the regulator to act merely as a current limiting device, perhaps set to 3A, to prevent the often heard of blowing of the LED when using NiMH's, especially when hot off the charger. Remember, you can always adjust it up anyway if this is the option you choose, but it'll be at your own risk. Just let Hotbeam know you want NO epoxy of Hotlips to Mag body and you can gain access to the pot.
Chris
Milkyspit,
Your battery research is informative. It helps show that if you want power you've got to have a power source capable of providing that power. It also shows there is a cost. You obviously also understand that "X" lumens per watt, the more lumens you want, the more power you will need. Your research has also shown why it was important, for me at least, that this project be able to successfully run on, and be able to drain rechargeables both effectively and efficiently, yet be able to use any other primary cell technology when in a pinch. I use my torch for half an hour+ per night, every night, during winter when walking the dog. So far I've clocked up over 60 hours of torch usage this winter and there's more to come.
Your comments re amp-hour of battery vs actual - Hotbeam I believe was using 2AH made in China for the tests (what one sacrifices when in a pinch). They are therefore to be taken very conservatively and you will perhaps get better times with better brands. Additionally, most manufacturers of small AH batteries rate their AH capacity based on small current discharge values such as 20mA. The actual AH rates at higher currents will be much less, the difference being affected by the brand.
It was a tough decision which way to go for a regulator, but as soon to be released efficiencies will show, especially when using NiMH's, it did extremely well. You'll be impressed!
It is clear that for such power, and allowing for good runtimes, there is a trade-off - the size of the torch. It needs to be capable of holding cells of large energy capacity. A 2D is a good choice for this need.
All in all, you'll be impressed. It's a torch capable of being used as a real torch, not just a show-off item to blind friends intended to be run cautiously for just a few minutes for fear of overheating the LED or your draining primary cells (expensive by your $/hr numbers). It will be VERY bright, robust, well built, efficient, capable of very useable runtimes as a few examples have been shown, capable of running of readily available AA cells of multiple technologies and of course blindingly bright.
Pi_is_blue,
If you want more than 1.5A I recommend NiMH's (or a milkyspit 2 X 3 X 123's holder cartridge?). I hammered mine at 2A and it was ok (of course there were reduced runtimes). You could also go more current and basicaly use the regulator to act merely as a current limiting device, perhaps set to 3A, to prevent the often heard of blowing of the LED when using NiMH's, especially when hot off the charger. Remember, you can always adjust it up anyway if this is the option you choose, but it'll be at your own risk. Just let Hotbeam know you want NO epoxy of Hotlips to Mag body and you can gain access to the pot.
Chris
