Single AA LED - help, I'm a noobie! Thanks.

[DFXXX]

Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

I need help in assembling the pieces needed to build a single white LED powered by 1 AA battery. I know I need at least 3V, but since the AA only puts out 1.5v, I need some sort of board to make it work.

Can someone please point me in the right direction? Obviously space is a factor, I have about a 1" square space (maybe a little more) for the board and I need the AA's for economy (will burn through 1/day).

Maybe someone sells/builds a board like this. Or maybe you know of an existing flashlight I can tear the insides out of.

Thanks!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif

 

[jaids]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

go to walmart and buy a dorcy AAA. You can use its guts to power your light.

Btw, what body are you using?

 

[_mike_]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

Several people have used the circuit board out of a Dorcy 1AA.

 

[jaids]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

that was close huh mike? Do what mike said. I didn't know that dorcy made a 1 AA light.

 

[Doug S]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

The Dorcy 1AAA and 1AA boards are the same circuit but are on different shape boards. The 1AAA is cheaper.

 

[DFXXX]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

That's for the help everyone. What I am actually using it for is a prototype lighted beer tap handle I've been asked to build. Just need a little glowing light somewhere at the base.

I've got a real good feeling that I'm not going to get the amount of light I think they want. But based on their design specs, this is a close enough start. It's got to run 8 hours and then the battery can be changed out. Can't be more batteries or LED's because of space, etc.

I'm open to suggestions. I think I am going to suggest running a whole different setup off of house power for the next version...they're not going to like that...

 

[jaids]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

Can you fit a 123 cell into it? If so then do that and buy a stepup circuit+luxeon kit from lambda. here:
http://home.mchsi.com/~lambda2/mjconverter.htm

Of course you could run that circuit with a AA too.
Make sure to use a Nimh cell and heatsink the luxeon

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

you could also try a 12v lighter/remote battery and resistor they are smaller batteries if size is a factor. I believe they are 223A cells. They are shorter and skinnier than a AAA I believe.

 

[andrewwynn]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

in a dark bar, a 5mm LED probably is enough light.. the ckt described probably will put out usable light for 20+hr from a single AA. A cheap lux can be had for $8.50 direct from the source, since the color/bin is not likely that important.. you'll get a lot more light from a lux than a 5mm.. although djpark gets some 5mm he really likes for maximum bang for the buck.

-awr

 

[PocketBeam]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

Also, you may try colored LEDS, since you don't have to use white.

 

[jaids]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

[ QUOTE ]
Lynx_Arc said:
I believe they are 223A cells. They are shorter and skinnier than a AAA I believe.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mn21/23 cells?
My first mod was with these. Solitare+high output 5mm led.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

jaids yes, those batteries I was too lazy to look up the number at that time. The small size is an advantage in using that. Also another idea I have heard used vaguely is tearing apart a lithium CR2 or CR3 I cannot remember which but one of them has AA sized 3v cells in them probably able to alone power the LED perhaps without any resistance.

 

[flashlite]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

Take a look at the Night Pearl PR base LED replacement bulb on Craig's site. There's a one cell (1.5v) and two cell version of the Night Pearl. I believe the 1.5v bulb runs for between 8 - 12 hours on a single AA.

BTW - this is a side emitting LED (sort of like a regular incan. flashlight bulb), so depending on how you're going to illuminate the handle, this might not work too well without something to reflect the light forward.

 

[DFXXX]

Re: Single AA LED - help, I\'m a noobie! Thanks.

These are all great suggestions. I should have my deposit to start work any day now. I'll get back to you guys either when I'm done, or need help. I'll probably need help first!

Thanks agian.