New Pics And Member List Added "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

[lumafist]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Any Comments?

Enjoy

A floodmonster.............!!!!


Very nice impressive beam...

 

[Sprocketman]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

I don't know if I can afford one, but if I had designed an EDC and had your skills, it would have looked like this! Flat form factor, flood beam, recharge gently by USB--you've hit it just right for me.

Lurking and hoping.

Randy

 

[concept0]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

I was just thinking about building something like this the other day! Then I realized I have no electronics or machining skills... :thumbsdow

My only thought is that it should have a full-size male USB connector. It could retract back into the light via a switch like a Sandisk flashdrive. The best part about this light is its ability to charge from a ubiquitous USB port that you can find anywhere. If you have to carry around a USB-miniUSB cable to charge, then it kind of defeats a lot of the utility of this light. Kind of like how my Nokia N95 can act as a flash drive/memory card reader, but never does because I don't carry around its data cable...

Anyway, cool concept... these are just my $.02!

 

[kaichu dento]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

My only thought is that it should have a full-size male USB connector. It could retract back into the light via a switch like a Sandisk flashdrive. The best part about this light is its ability to charge from a ubiquitous USB port that you can find anywhere. If you have to carry around a USB-miniUSB cable to charge, then it kind of defeats a lot of the utility of this light. Kind of like how my Nokia N95 can act as a flash drive/memory card reader, but never does because I don't carry around its data cable...

I get your gist, but you're comparing apples to oranges, or worse yet, apples to lychee fruit. You can find a usb cable anywhere these days, but not so your Nokia specific cable. Besides, if it had a retractable usb connector, very often you'd have to find an even rarer socket to plug usb cable for all the recessed or back panel access usb ports. The usb cable this will use to charge with is so common, cheap and pocketable that it's perfect in my view!

 

[concept0]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

I get your gist, but you're comparing apples to oranges, or worse yet, apples to lychee fruit. You can find a usb cable anywhere these days, but not so your Nokia specific cable. Besides, if it had a retractable usb connector, very often you'd have to find an even rarer socket to plug usb cable for all the recessed or back panel access usb ports. The usb cable this will use to charge with is so common, cheap and pocketable that it's perfect in my view!

Actually, my N95 uses the same cable, mini-USB. I can never find a cable unless I bring one with me...

But I take your point, the form factor of this design would not make for a useful pop-out USB connector...

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

I though about a flip-out usb plug..
But what happens if the thing is stuck in
you computer charging, And you accidentally
bump the light Then you loose a usb port
on your computer, and possibly bend the
connector on the light, rendering it useless.

As mentioned before, the Mini Usb cable is
so common these days. And, i will include
a 1 meter cable and possibly a combo
charger that will work in the car or home.
That will be decided later though

 

[Enzo Morocioli]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

I just read through this thread and i'm really intrigued...

I like the artwork idea, as it brings a truly unique look to the light.... But, personally I like the look of the bare aluminum... Going to a Titanium body seems nice too, though i'm not too keen on rare earth metals...

If the Chimera Mini were offered in all bare aluminum you'd have my money. I think it would go well with the look of my PowerBook G4, and fit nicely in its carry case...

Also, I'm really pleased with the beamshots and the tint quality.. I think you've really designed a decent optic for the LED.

I look forward to seeing this light pan out.. Just throw me in the "wants bare al" bin.

Good work!! :thumbsup:

 

[KeyGrip]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Those are awesome! The USB charger is the deal maker for me, plus I think it looks very stylish. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

 

[Enzo Morocioli]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Those are awesome! The USB charger is the deal maker for me

Same here.. This can carry around with my laptop... My laptop's EDC you might say..:tinfoil:

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Actually, it will be thinner than it is now.. 2mm or so
Right now, its about 9.7mm or 0.38in thick.
I was a little worried about the strength of aluminum at that
thickness. I have to do some more testing though. At the moment,
the Current Prototype is machined out of a solid AL block, and capped
with a Grade 2 Titanium cover that is 0.56mm or 0.022in thick.
I wanted to make it as thin as possible.. So maybe i can offer
2 different designs for sale, A 6061? Anodized Aluminum Model,
Or a Slightly thinner Titaium. The price difference would not be
too great between the 2 for reasons of labor to put them all together.
There is Alot of work involved to assemble these things. And the
bigger Chimera would be even more so, due to the Twin Heads.
I want to make the battery user-servicable, and it would pop out
after you removed the top cover screws. The screws themselves
are undecided.. Maybe a nice counter-sunk, stainless flathead
for a nostalgic feel? Or maybe a Torx?

I am not worried about galvanic corrosion, for
the few of you that though about the dissimilar metals. There is
so little metal there, and i will be using a Locktite on the screws
anyways. Any more suggestions folks? Keep em' comin!

I just read through this thread and i'm really intrigued...

I like the artwork idea, as it brings a truly unique look to the light.... But, personally I like the look of the bare aluminum... Going to a Titanium body seems nice too, though i'm not too keen on rare earth metals...

If the Chimera Mini were offered in all bare aluminum you'd have my money. I think it would go well with the look of my PowerBook G4, and fit nicely in its carry case...

Also, I'm really pleased with the beamshots and the tint quality.. I think you've really designed a decent optic for the LED.

I look forward to seeing this light pan out.. Just throw me in the "wants bare al" bin.

Good work!! :thumbsup:

 

[mcmc]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Sabrewolf, looks very neat =)
Now, if you could incorporate a touch-sensitive dimming strip...! Haha =) Somehow I feel like with your skills, you'd be able to do it!!

 

[kaichu dento]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Sabrewolf, looks very neat =)
Now, if you could incorporate a touch-sensitive dimming strip...! Haha =) Somehow I feel like with your skills, you'd be able to do it!!

Yeah, with a fingerprint reader and memory of each users personal preferences!

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Sabrewolf, looks very neat =)
Now, if you could incorporate a touch-sensitive dimming strip...! Haha =) Somehow I feel like with your skills, you'd be able to do it!!

Uh Oh! Who told you that? !
I was actually gonna use that in the Chimera Twin Head !
Now the cat is outta the bag! That will be a 2nd or 3rd rev
on the bigger Chimera.. But for now, its only gonna be clickies.
I was going to use a D2DIM Driver with an External PWM Control
to adjust the light output. And build a circuit using a .25in
wide by 2in long touch strip for brightness and mode settings.
Ha! I know, You put microphone in my house
Good Thinking though!

P.S. I am not kidding! That was my "Original" Idea for controlling the light.
Well, the Bigger Chimera Anyways

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Yeah, with a fingerprint reader and memory of each users personal preferences!

You better watch out! I may do that just to "Spite" you! Mwahaha!
Okay, now i really need some sleep! :thinking:

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Same here.. This can carry around with my laptop... My laptop's EDC you might say..:tinfoil:

'

Ohh! Maybe i can design a light that slides in the PCCARD Slot on the
side of the laptop? I'am on a roll! Or Crazy? Don't know which? :thinking:

 

[Lunal_Tic]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

The charge rate is 100mA from my builtin
charging circuit setup. That way the battery lasts longer because
of the lower charge current. I "Could" use the 300mA charge
output from the chip.. But that won't work from Usb. It will
simply overload the Usb Bus, and turn off that particular port.

Any Comments?

IIRC the USB bus is 500mA and if you charge off of a powered USB hub I don't think 300mA would be too much. The only time I've had trouble with USB power was when I had one bus branched too many times with unpowered devices that drew a bunch of current.

-LT

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

IIRC the USB bus is 500mA and if you charge off of a powered USB hub I don't think 300mA would be too much. The only time I've had trouble with USB power was when I had one bus branched too many times with unpowered devices that drew a bunch of current.

-LT

The only problem with charging from the 300mA side of the I.C. is...
It draws nearly 600mA when it starts! That little bugger is voracious!
So, when i tried it, the Usb port shut down Bummer
But, The Bigger Chimera will use a Wall Transformer to run from the
300mA charge pin instead.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Interesting. Is your test computer fairly new and do you have other USB devices running on it? I can't remember where I saw it but some USB devices pull more than 500mA but seem to work without an added power supply. I've charged via USB an Archos PMP that is supplied with charger that is something over 1A though I don't know if it has something in its circuitry that automagically lowers the draw with USB. Takes a while to get it charged via USB but it'll work.

-LT

 

[Sabrewolf]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

Interesting. Is your test computer fairly new and do you have other USB devices running on it? I can't remember where I saw it but some USB devices pull more than 500mA but seem to work without an added power supply. I've charged via USB an Archos PMP that is supplied with charger that is something over 1A though I don't know if it has something in its circuitry that automagically lowers the draw with USB. Takes a while to get it charged via USB but it'll work.

-LT

The usb port will only charge a device with more than 100mA if it
actually "Requests" it in the Usb Subsystem of the OS. Otherwise,
it will shut down the port to save it from a potential problem.
Since the charge IC that i have does not utilize an ID subsystem
that a computer recognizes, it will not allow any more than 100mA
to the circuit for charging.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

Re: ITS ALIVE !! The "Chimera Mini" A "Flat" Edc with Built-in Usb Charging

I guess those USB vaccuums, lava lamps and coffee warmers over here (you wouldn't believe some of the stuff they've got) don't just draw juice but actually "talk" to the USB hub via the hardware (since they don't show up in the OS) to tell it how much will be needed. I wonder if you could hack one of those cheapies for the controller. Just thinking out loud. However it works out, looks like a slick project.

-LT