Portable power for LED lights

[Mark Wo]

Kind of a novice here so please forgive the soon to be apparent lack of knowledge.

I am an ice fishing addict. No need for the 12 step program yet to rid this addiction but getting close. I purchased the newest flip over ice shelter a few days ago. I used to use an LED lantern hanging from a hook in the shelter and while it worked well, it was always in the way and since the light was in front of me, kind of irritating. I want something different for this light.

I got a nice LED flexible light that the 3M Company used to sell.

http://3mcollision.com/products/fea...ts/3m-led-tape-light-multi-purpose-34050.html

All it says is that they are 1W LED and that eight 1.5V batteries will last 12 hours reducing the light output to 30% initial. I have no idea on amps being drawn and 3M couldn't tell me. This isn't going to quite work for me (8 AA batteries lasting 12 hours). I need a power source that is light weight and will light the LED's for 6 hours and is rechargeable.

I went to the local Batteries plus which wasn't much help. I can buy a small 12V Lead Acid battery that will work. I can also have some custom 12V battery packs made up. While both will work, they don't sound ideal to me.

Searching the web, I came across this battery pack. It is exactly what I am looking for with the exception that it is a Litium Ion battery pack. It also has a current limit of 1000 mA and I don't know if the lights I have exceed this (back to the noobie part)

Here is the battery pack in question. Sure is nice - small, lightweight, 1800mAH capacity.

http://www.pinecomputer.com/12vdc18lireb.html

Anyone know of something similar that would work? Small lightweight, rechargeable?

Appreciate the insight

Mark

 

[AnAppleSnail]

Kind of a novice here so please forgive the soon to be apparent lack of knowledge.

I am an ice fishing addict. No need for the 12 step program yet to rid this addiction but getting close. I purchased the newest flip over ice shelter a few days ago. I used to use an LED lantern hanging from a hook in the shelter and while it worked well, it was always in the way and since the light was in front of me, kind of irritating. I want something different for this light.

I got a nice LED flexible light that the 3M Company used to sell.

http://3mcollision.com/products/fea...ts/3m-led-tape-light-multi-purpose-34050.html

All it says is that they are 1W LED and that eight 1.5V batteries will last 12 hours reducing the light output to 30% initial. I have no idea on amps being drawn and 3M couldn't tell me. This isn't going to quite work for me (8 AA batteries lasting 12 hours). I need a power source that is light weight and will light the LED's for 6 hours and is rechargeable.

I went to the local Batteries plus which wasn't much help. I can buy a small 12V Lead Acid battery that will work. I can also have some custom 12V battery packs made up. While both will work, they don't sound ideal to me.

Searching the web, I came across this battery pack. It is exactly what I am looking for with the exception that it is a Litium Ion battery pack. It also has a current limit of 1000 mA and I don't know if the lights I have exceed this (back to the noobie part)

Here is the battery pack in question. Sure is nice - small, lightweight, 1800mAH capacity.

http://www.pinecomputer.com/12vdc18lireb.html

Anyone know of something similar that would work? Small lightweight, rechargeable?

Appreciate the insight

Mark

Sleuthing time! AAs have about a 2000 mAh capacity at reasonable current draws. So if it lasts for 12 hours, then its current draw must be something like (2 Amp*hours divided by 12 hours) = (0.1667 amps). It also happens to be powered at about (8*1.5v = 12v), which means 3 or 4 white LEDs in series (Forward voltage of 3.5v or so). Finally, dimming down like that indicates a likely direct-drive situation, where a resistor or nothing but the LED Vf limits current to the LEDs. So now we know that any near-12v-source will run them.

An 1800 mAh pack will last for about (1.8/0.1667) = 10.7 hours before you're back to rather dim output. Li-Ions are good for their reasonable cold-resistance vs. NiMHs, but you're just plain going to need a lot of amp-hours at 12v. I suggest a 12v drill battery, if you can find an amp-hour rating on it.

 

[Mark Wo]

Thank you for the information. It is greatly appreciated.

Based upon what I have since learned (from this thread and some other seaerching) is that I think I am going to try a LiIon powerpack. May not be ideal but it seems to be able to do what I want it to do. I found one on Ebay that is the exact same power pack as others I have found on the web. Here is what I orderdd - two just to be certain and to power 2 stips of light shoud I want more lumens in the shack.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-12...ry_Chargers&hash=item43b24a9a14#ht_3754wt_974

Wish me luck

Mark