Power Connector and Batteries

[tobyjcol]

I have just ordered 3 Luxeon III stars and a bFlex controller from task-led a couple of questions regarding power:

1. Can anyone suggest a suitable in-line connector to allow for disconnecting the battery from the light?

2. What sort of power will it need? and what battery pack should I be looking at I thought about 4 or 6 of these:

http://www.budgetbatteries.co.uk/20...4300mah-1-2v-gp-rechargeable-industrial-cell/

But does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[dom]

Hey Toby -Welcome to the forum.
1st question -why didn't you order some Cree or Seoul LEDs -they are much brighter for the same power as the Lux.
If you use those batts you linked to you will have a battery pack weighing almost 3/4kg to run your 3LEDs in series.

Any connector that can handle 1A+ current will be fine -RC shops usually have a large range.

I have bought batteries from Batteryspace -but haven't tested them yet so can't really comment -others have used them with no problems.
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3600

http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1578

Connectors
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=317

They also have nimh battery packs there as well and chargers to suit.

You need 14.8V to run 3 Seoul or Cree LEDs in series. Not sure if the Lux need the same power as i haven't used them.

Cheers
Dom

 

[Lazgoat]

Batteryspace do some good quality waterproof cables and connectors if you want to use the lights in adverse weather. eg on a bike say.

 

[chris_m]

Hey Toby -Welcome to the forum.
1st question -why didn't you order some Cree or Seoul LEDs -they are much brighter for the same power as the Lux.
If you use those batts you linked to you will have a battery pack weighing almost 3/4kg to run your 3LEDs in series.

I agree with the point about using Crees or Seouls, but not about the battery. You only need 12 of those cells to run 3 power LEDs in series with a bFlex, which is only 720g, not the multiple kg you are suggesting. I'd suggest they're actually a pretty good choice for anybody wanting to use NiMH batteries - I made a pack with those (IIRC from that supplier) before I moved on to LiIon. For energy/weight ratio of tagged NiMH cells those are about as good as it gets.

I presume if he's linking to those that he's here in the UK, in which case batteryspace can be more trouble than it's worth.

Regarding connectors, I've used Molex (RS part no 236-3066, 236-3117)
RC connectors http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=rc connector&source=15&SD=Y
and inline mini barrel connectors
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=43084&doy=11m8
Probably my favourite are the Molex, but you have to order quite large quantities of pins (236-3230, 236-3246) so they work out quite pricey if you only want one or two.

 

[tobyjcol]

Excellent thanks for the tips guys, yes in the UK.

OK So which LED's should I go for, I saw lots of people have used all three. Soeul or Cree's?

Cheers
Toby

 

[dom]

Hi Toby
Seoul has the most choice of optics/reflectors.
PhotonFanatic is the main dealer for them at CPF Marketplace
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=166900
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=154195
And is very quick with delivery.

You can get both Cree and Seoul from DealExtreme as well -but shipping will take longer.

Hi Chris -the 3/4 was meant as 0.75

Cheers
Dom

 

[Lazgoat]

Excellent thanks for the tips guys, yes in the UK.

OK So which LED's should I go for, I saw lots of people have used all three. Soeul or Cree's?

Cheers
Toby

I'm in a similar boat to you, ie in the UK. Ordered Cree LED's from DX (free postage and quite cheap), batteries and charger from Batteryspace (watch out for import duty! ouch), optice from LED-Tech.de. cheap and VERY FAST delivery, b-Flex from TaskLED
Postage time from DX is about a week. Everything else arrived within 3 days!.

 

[dom]

You could try all-battery or battery junction -i think one of them has cheaper shipping -have to check myself.

That's quick shipping from DX Lazgoat!
Cheers
Dom

 

[tobyjcol]

Ok from looking through the Lux III documentation at 1000ma the Vf is
3.90v so I pressume I need at last 11.7V to drive all three plus some for drivers etc.

So how do I work out how long a certain battery will last?

I have found : capacity / drain = time

So for a 14.8V 4400 LiIOn Battery what would this mean?

Cheers
Toby

 

[tobyjcol]

Duplicate post - sorry