O.W.L.I. Project - Code name: Snake Eyes

[OddOne]

NOTE: The host decided to tank right after I posted this. If the pics load, it's back up. If you get the famed red 'X', the host is still down. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

NOTE 2: Yay! It's back up!


Just posted an article on my homebrew light, Snake Eyes. It's powered by a single 123 battery, uses two Zetex driver boards tuned to 400mA per, and two 1-watt bincode N3H Luxeon Stars off the same tree (they're still together, in fact!).

LOADS of light in a pocket-friendly package.

The write-up, with construction info/pics and beamshots, can be checked out here.

Preview pics:

oO

 

[Rothrandir]

i'm afraid your links are not working /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[OddOne]

Figures they'd decide to have Apache go down right AFTER I posted it... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif

Oh well, that's the first time it's been down for, oh, nine months I think.

oO

 

[tvodrd]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif Well done! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Larry

 

[OddOne]

I LOVE this thing... It makes street signs glow for literally MILES. Plus it's brighter than my 3D Mag with fresh batts and totally kills a MiniMag.

Not bad for a throw-together. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've been fielding requests for a commercial version - I wonder if some enterprising CPFer might be interested in helping make that happen...

oO

 

[treek13]

That is a totally cool little light. Very nice size to brightness ratio, plus a very pocketable form. I would definitely think that it would have commercial possibilities. I know I'd want one.

Pat

 

[robk]

Very nice! How about a little info about the electronics? Looks like a pair of ZLT boards.
Rob

 

[OddOne]

Yep, run-of-the-mill ZLT+ boards. Slight modification to the original design though - first off they're DARN small, 0.5" across, and second I use #36 wire for the sense resistor. The smaller gauge makes the sense resistor wire MUCH shorter; I found that it only takes about half an inch of #36 to tune a ZLT to 400mA.

If I were to go commercial with one of these I'd refine the ZLT design a bit more to handle more adverse operating conditions, like adding a Schottky diode so someone won't blow the pass transistor by popping a battery in backward. I'd also use a larger power MOSFET to handle switching so that it won't be pushing that tiny transistor's limits. And, of course, crazy credits/mad props would be due to the folks here that pioneered that circuit.

The Stars themselves were off the same tree, and are still together as they came from the factory. Between that and the within 10 mA matching of the drivers, the brightness from each LED is not perceptibly different from the other.

oO

 

[Rothrandir]

very nice!

glad the pics popped back up, it was worth the wait.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[logicnerd411]

WOW! I want one of those... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif

Dan

 

[OddOne]

I'm working on a design for a slightly larger, tougher, all aluminum, waterproof version based on the original Snake Eyes I built. If I can get the parts machined I plan to see if a production run is feasible. They won't be cheap - expect one to run in the $80 range I'm guessing (NOTE: GUESSING!!!) but hey, whatcha expect for a two-Luxeon light?

As an aside, I built 14 driver modules once for a mini production run, all of which I sold. I discovered a couple months ago that all 14 are still in service - they were made in 1999. Guess I can build 'em right. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


BTW, my Snake Eyes protoype is now my EDC light, right next to the Gerber Legend 800 I also pack as an EDC.

oO

 

[Orion]

OddOne, that is MY kind of home build torch. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

In fact, I have a couple of HD Luxeons coming and will probably do something similar to yours, although not is such a small package.

Nice piece of work! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MR Bulk]

Hey Odd,

Very cool mod. If you cannot find a machinist, you could always use thinner gauge aluminum sheet and form your own case like I did HERE .

Just so you can choose where else to steer your idea if it comes to fruition, I'll inform you that I already presented the Siamese LGI to Pal Lights late last year, and am now awaiting word from Pres. James Meyer...

 

[OddOne]

Yeah, I thought about fabbing a package out of sheet metal, but that wouldn't be nearly as durable as I'd like. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

oO