Multiple LS Based Light?
- Thread starter Doug
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
ElektroLumens
Flashlight Enthusiast
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Doug:
What do you guys think? A light with 3 LS bulbs in it? Like, say, a Mag? How many of those bulbs do you think you can fit into a Mag head
?
Doug<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Doug,
Three LS's would be bright, but would draw 1.05 amps. That's a lot of juice! At this point, why not just use a regular halogen light bulb, and use a regulator to get more battery life? If a halgen burns out, it's cheap to replace. Most halogen bulbs I have are .75 amps. If you hook up a dc/dc regulator, wouldn't this draw less power from the batteries, and still be brighter? Wouldn't 2 'D' cells with regulation last just as long, and cost wayyyyyy less than 3 LS's?
(I have to qualify this, however. I much prefer the kind of white light the Luxeon throws, or for that matter, Nichia whites. Also, the LS or Nichia's will not break the filiament if dropped, and will not burn out after a few hours of use.)
Just a thought.
What do you guys think? A light with 3 LS bulbs in it? Like, say, a Mag? How many of those bulbs do you think you can fit into a Mag head
Doug<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Doug,
Three LS's would be bright, but would draw 1.05 amps. That's a lot of juice! At this point, why not just use a regular halogen light bulb, and use a regulator to get more battery life? If a halgen burns out, it's cheap to replace. Most halogen bulbs I have are .75 amps. If you hook up a dc/dc regulator, wouldn't this draw less power from the batteries, and still be brighter? Wouldn't 2 'D' cells with regulation last just as long, and cost wayyyyyy less than 3 LS's?
(I have to qualify this, however. I much prefer the kind of white light the Luxeon throws, or for that matter, Nichia whites. Also, the LS or Nichia's will not break the filiament if dropped, and will not burn out after a few hours of use.)
Just a thought.
TrevorNasko
Flashlight Enthusiast
have you lost your mind!? incandecent? please listen to what your saying?
ElektroLumens
Flashlight Enthusiast
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Aragorn:
have you lost your mind!? incandecent? please listen to what your saying?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I know, I know. I knew I'd get that response, but I just had to say it anyway. But not everybody has the same needs. Maybe someone just wants a cheap light, that when needed will last a really long time on batteries. Maybe you want to let one of your kids use a flashlight, and you don't want to let them play with your $100 flashlight? Anyway, it was just a passing thought. I'll be okay in a while.
have you lost your mind!? incandecent? please listen to what your saying?
I know, I know. I knew I'd get that response, but I just had to say it anyway. But not everybody has the same needs. Maybe someone just wants a cheap light, that when needed will last a really long time on batteries. Maybe you want to let one of your kids use a flashlight, and you don't want to let them play with your $100 flashlight? Anyway, it was just a passing thought. I'll be okay in a while.
Gosh, Aragorn don't forget the value of our friend Mr. Halogen. Cheap as dirt, bright as anything, tough, long-lived...the bread and butter of so many of our light needs. Sometimes we forget about him in our quest for flashlight perfection. I am longing for a bionic flashlight after all...
TrevorNasko
Flashlight Enthusiast
bright yes but if you want long lasting you dont use halogen. the step up takes care of deadies and for super longlif youve got theAA bat pack this is good because ive never bought batteries . i always leech from incandecnt loving freinds when they have brown outs
heehee
TrevorNasko
Flashlight Enthusiast
ive treid to keep this low but im gonna run 3 ls from a matrix board of 1 d batt in my dorcy aluminum i orderd the ls leds a week ago still waiting. gransee whats up?
ElektroLumens
Flashlight Enthusiast
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Aragorn:
bright yes but if you want long lasting you dont use halogen. the step up takes care of deadies and for super longlif youve got theAA bat pack this is good because ive never bought batteries . i always leech from incandecnt loving freinds when they have brown outs
heehee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
If 2 Luxeons draw 700mA, and one single regulated halogen draws 700mA, what's the difference? Won't the battery life be the same, if you use a dc/dc regulator? The halogen is brighter than 2 Luxeons, and should have the same battery life with a regulator. The halogen will burn out much quicker and might be damaged if dropped,
but it is a lot cheaper! Just carry extra halogen light bulbs. LED's and the Luxeon's strong point is extended battery life. If we have a flashlight with multiple Luxeons, drawing as much or more current than, say, a halogen, and putting out less light, have we accomplished anything?
I personally like the kind of light the Luxeon or multiple LED's put out, and if I could use a flashlight that costs the same, and has the same battery life, and near equivalent light, I would choose the LED light of course.
It all depends on what you need the flashlight for. If you need a intense and bright focused beam, than the much cheaper halogen might be a better choice. If you want a nice soft diffused beam, than the LEd's are, at least to me, a better choice.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
JUST FOR ARUGMENT'S SAKE <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
bright yes but if you want long lasting you dont use halogen. the step up takes care of deadies and for super longlif youve got theAA bat pack this is good because ive never bought batteries . i always leech from incandecnt loving freinds when they have brown outs
If 2 Luxeons draw 700mA, and one single regulated halogen draws 700mA, what's the difference? Won't the battery life be the same, if you use a dc/dc regulator? The halogen is brighter than 2 Luxeons, and should have the same battery life with a regulator. The halogen will burn out much quicker and might be damaged if dropped,
but it is a lot cheaper! Just carry extra halogen light bulbs. LED's and the Luxeon's strong point is extended battery life. If we have a flashlight with multiple Luxeons, drawing as much or more current than, say, a halogen, and putting out less light, have we accomplished anything?
I personally like the kind of light the Luxeon or multiple LED's put out, and if I could use a flashlight that costs the same, and has the same battery life, and near equivalent light, I would choose the LED light of course.
It all depends on what you need the flashlight for. If you need a intense and bright focused beam, than the much cheaper halogen might be a better choice. If you want a nice soft diffused beam, than the LEd's are, at least to me, a better choice.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
JUST FOR ARUGMENT'S SAKE <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Wayne, you have some good points. What I wonder is, how are LED's/LS's more effecient, if, when they use the same amount of current as a incandescent, yet put out less light??? True though, I do prefer WHITE WHITE, not Yellow, World War Two Incadescent light
! I wonder why flashlight manufacturers don't use regulators? Surefire of all companies should! Nothing more annoying that having a flashlight that carries $10 worth of batteries, that can not suck them dry (not even half way?)! Oh well, I guess that is where the Arc-LS (123) comes in, eh
?
Doug
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wayne Johnson:
If 2 Luxeons draw 700mA, and one single regulated halogen draws 700mA, what's the difference? Won't the battery life be the same, if you use a dc/dc regulator? The halogen is brighter than 2 Luxeons, and should have the same battery life with a regulator. The halogen will burn out much quicker and might be damaged if dropped,
but it is a lot cheaper! Just carry extra halogen light bulbs. LED's and the Luxeon's strong point is extended battery life. If we have a flashlight with multiple Luxeons, drawing as much or more current than, say, a halogen, and putting out less light, have we accomplished anything?
I personally like the kind of light the Luxeon or multiple LED's put out, and if I could use a flashlight that costs the same, and has the same battery life, and near equivalent light, I would choose the LED light of course.
It all depends on what you need the flashlight for. If you need a intense and bright focused beam, than the much cheaper halogen might be a better choice. If you want a nice soft diffused beam, than the LEd's are, at least to me, a better choice.
Doug
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wayne Johnson:
If 2 Luxeons draw 700mA, and one single regulated halogen draws 700mA, what's the difference? Won't the battery life be the same, if you use a dc/dc regulator? The halogen is brighter than 2 Luxeons, and should have the same battery life with a regulator. The halogen will burn out much quicker and might be damaged if dropped,
but it is a lot cheaper! Just carry extra halogen light bulbs. LED's and the Luxeon's strong point is extended battery life. If we have a flashlight with multiple Luxeons, drawing as much or more current than, say, a halogen, and putting out less light, have we accomplished anything?
I personally like the kind of light the Luxeon or multiple LED's put out, and if I could use a flashlight that costs the same, and has the same battery life, and near equivalent light, I would choose the LED light of course.
It all depends on what you need the flashlight for. If you need a intense and bright focused beam, than the much cheaper halogen might be a better choice. If you want a nice soft diffused beam, than the LEd's are, at least to me, a better choice.
ElektroLumens
Flashlight Enthusiast
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> What I wonder is, how are LED's/LS's more effecient, if, when they use the same amount of current as a incandescent, yet put out less light??? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Doug,
I think that LED's and the Luxeon put out a different kind of light. Even though it seems as though the LED's are not as bright per watt. But when I take my 4 'D' cell Mag, and set it on the widest beam, it is terrible, compared to the nice white light of, say 20 LED's, or even of the one single Luxeon star. True, the Mag Lite has a brighter spot, and that is great if you want to see something far away, but it is not good for taking walks with.
I just brought up the point for the sake of the argument. I actually much prefer an LED flashlight over the halogen.
Why don't the manufacturers use regulators? Who know's, why are they so slow to incorporate LED's? I plan to put a regulator in my 3 'D' cell Rayovac Industrial flashlight, and keep the halogen in it, just for the heck of it, and see what kind of life I get out the the batteries and bulb. Actually, the manufacturers usually really overdrive the bulb at first, and then later, it is underdriven, turning the ugly yellow. Perhaps if there were a consistent battery supply to the bulb, maybe the bulb life would last a little longer?
The ARC LS will be a nice flashlight for sure. I like the bigger lights with the 'D' cells, for taking walks and such, but when I put that big flashlight in my pocket (RAYOVAC 3 'D' CELL INDUSTRIAL FLASHLIGHT) (really baggy pants, huh?), it sure looks funny. I think a little smaller flashlight is due for me, just for carrying around, like, on my belt or something. Don't you think so?
Doug,
I think that LED's and the Luxeon put out a different kind of light. Even though it seems as though the LED's are not as bright per watt. But when I take my 4 'D' cell Mag, and set it on the widest beam, it is terrible, compared to the nice white light of, say 20 LED's, or even of the one single Luxeon star. True, the Mag Lite has a brighter spot, and that is great if you want to see something far away, but it is not good for taking walks with.
I just brought up the point for the sake of the argument. I actually much prefer an LED flashlight over the halogen.
Why don't the manufacturers use regulators? Who know's, why are they so slow to incorporate LED's? I plan to put a regulator in my 3 'D' cell Rayovac Industrial flashlight, and keep the halogen in it, just for the heck of it, and see what kind of life I get out the the batteries and bulb. Actually, the manufacturers usually really overdrive the bulb at first, and then later, it is underdriven, turning the ugly yellow. Perhaps if there were a consistent battery supply to the bulb, maybe the bulb life would last a little longer?
The ARC LS will be a nice flashlight for sure. I like the bigger lights with the 'D' cells, for taking walks and such, but when I put that big flashlight in my pocket (RAYOVAC 3 'D' CELL INDUSTRIAL FLASHLIGHT) (really baggy pants, huh?), it sure looks funny. I think a little smaller flashlight is due for me, just for carrying around, like, on my belt or something. Don't you think so?
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Since I don't have the data in front of me, I'll just wing it. I "think" the LED is more efficient because more of the power is used to generate light and less is wasted as heat.
Since I now have an ARC-AAA LE and a homemade LS double-barrel, along with way too many incandescents (including some pricey ones), I am convinced of the virtue of LED light vs. Me. Edison's invention. The my white LEDs produce a softer, more pure (to my eyes) light, that is well diffused and without hot spots and rings.
Remember too that LEDs continue to produce usable light at current levels too low to drive a filament into incandescence.
I have used this feature to keep my LS/DB always on, powered through a 10K resistor. Makes a great night light.
I have another LS and a 3.3volt switching regulator board running, slated to go into another DB as soon as find the time. It looks great, lots brighter than my first DB conversion where the LS is wired directly to the battery. This LS with 3.3v regulator does require a small (7 ohm) series resistor to limit current to 300mA.
I also have a set of four LS (all are white with optics) and another switching regulator, this one is a current regulator. We'll see what kind of monster I get from this combination.
I know the power drain will be a killer, buit at least the LEDs have the advantage of running nicely at reduced current. They still produce white light, unlike an incandescent.
I should get great light and decent battery life from a pair of C alkalines.
Tom
Since I now have an ARC-AAA LE and a homemade LS double-barrel, along with way too many incandescents (including some pricey ones), I am convinced of the virtue of LED light vs. Me. Edison's invention. The my white LEDs produce a softer, more pure (to my eyes) light, that is well diffused and without hot spots and rings.
Remember too that LEDs continue to produce usable light at current levels too low to drive a filament into incandescence.
I have used this feature to keep my LS/DB always on, powered through a 10K resistor. Makes a great night light.
I have another LS and a 3.3volt switching regulator board running, slated to go into another DB as soon as find the time. It looks great, lots brighter than my first DB conversion where the LS is wired directly to the battery. This LS with 3.3v regulator does require a small (7 ohm) series resistor to limit current to 300mA.
I also have a set of four LS (all are white with optics) and another switching regulator, this one is a current regulator. We'll see what kind of monster I get from this combination.
I know the power drain will be a killer, buit at least the LEDs have the advantage of running nicely at reduced current. They still produce white light, unlike an incandescent.
I should get great light and decent battery life from a pair of C alkalines.
Tom
Let me stir the pot a little more here; I am not seriously taking one side or another in the debate, but
1)halogens are not that old. Something like 18 years...I remember when they first came out. During WWII I think flashlights were pretty crummy. (I wonder if they thought they were great back then.)
2)We can get equally good diffusion beams from halogens by putting diffusers on them. The rings simply disappear and the beam is smooth as a cath's ath so to speak.
3)Last point-not so serious on this but color temperature is a small disadvantage for halogens because they can be regulated to a decent overvolted level where the output is pretty white. I have a bike light that is nice and white, although never as white as Nichia LEDs are.
As far as efficiency goes, LEDs give out less lumens per watt than halogens do as far as I know; the Luxeon Star may be now getting better efficiency per watt than halogens are if my reading is up to speed.
The question I would pose is, for high watt applications how are you going to fit all those LEDs- or LSs- into one flashlight? To equal say, a 20 watt halogen we would need something like 100 LEDs= 7 Luxeons and that makes for an unwieldy flashlight. Granted a 20 watt light is big, but the point remains the same.
For low-watt applications the LED enjoys some real advantages because it is easier to put a bunch of them in a small space and get more light. The durability issue is especially acute for small halogens like the Mag AA, hence the popularity of small LED lights we see since the advent of the Nichia white bulb. The Luxeon however is going to become the standby for these lights, because it is simply cheaper to produce as well as more efficient.
1)halogens are not that old. Something like 18 years...I remember when they first came out. During WWII I think flashlights were pretty crummy. (I wonder if they thought they were great back then.)
2)We can get equally good diffusion beams from halogens by putting diffusers on them. The rings simply disappear and the beam is smooth as a cath's ath so to speak.
3)Last point-not so serious on this but color temperature is a small disadvantage for halogens because they can be regulated to a decent overvolted level where the output is pretty white. I have a bike light that is nice and white, although never as white as Nichia LEDs are.
As far as efficiency goes, LEDs give out less lumens per watt than halogens do as far as I know; the Luxeon Star may be now getting better efficiency per watt than halogens are if my reading is up to speed.
The question I would pose is, for high watt applications how are you going to fit all those LEDs- or LSs- into one flashlight? To equal say, a 20 watt halogen we would need something like 100 LEDs= 7 Luxeons and that makes for an unwieldy flashlight. Granted a 20 watt light is big, but the point remains the same.
For low-watt applications the LED enjoys some real advantages because it is easier to put a bunch of them in a small space and get more light. The durability issue is especially acute for small halogens like the Mag AA, hence the popularity of small LED lights we see since the advent of the Nichia white bulb. The Luxeon however is going to become the standby for these lights, because it is simply cheaper to produce as well as more efficient.
TrevorNasko
Flashlight Enthusiast
if my creed was "all anyone needs is one light" then i'd have a mag light but i'm a flashaholic and a led lover. and would rather carry an led simply becaese it's neater.catch my drift
TrevorNasko
Flashlight Enthusiast
my tec 40 is a halogen and dang bright now lay off!
yea dude i think you failed to see the point. All you do with LED's is glow gently over objects(for now, at least). You use a halogen bulb to actually SEE something. with halogens you light up something from 50 feet away like it's day time.SEE?lol
ElektroLumens
Flashlight Enthusiast
Tom,
What are the IC chip(s) your are using in your circuitry? What is the current regulator IC circuitry you're using?
Sounds like you've done some nice mods.
Regarding incandescent flashlights, I've got a lot of them lying around too, but, unfortunately, most of them are disemboweled, and the pieces are lying around in my working area.
What are the IC chip(s) your are using in your circuitry? What is the current regulator IC circuitry you're using?
Sounds like you've done some nice mods.
Regarding incandescent flashlights, I've got a lot of them lying around too, but, unfortunately, most of them are disemboweled, and the pieces are lying around in my working area.
TrevorNasko
Flashlight Enthusiast
look you dont "glow over things" with an ls led. wayne you talkin to me or someone else?
Aragon: I win, I win (the debate)!...just kidding. Make any light that strikes your imagination; the point is to enjoy the hobby and if you get a good flashlight out of it all the more fun.
Wayne: why not make a bunch of linear halogen flashlights out of all those parts? You could give them to local EMS people or firemen as a useful donation
Wayne: why not make a bunch of linear halogen flashlights out of all those parts? You could give them to local EMS people or firemen as a useful donation
