Nubo
Enlightened
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2004
- Messages
- 461
I've always been a bit fascinated and yet disappointed by flashlights. THEN I got a Surefire-G2... and THEN I found this forum! And so, naturally my thoughts began turning towards what kind of light I'd like to make and what kind of niche it might fill.
I want something that will serve as a "utility" light, but with something of a "wow" factor. Something that will satisfy an enthusiast (me) but also someone who is not necessarily "into" flashlights. I envision 3 types of users:
Heavy user: uses often enough to justify care and feeding of rechargeables.
Everyman: Occasional user wants a useable and dependable light but will be pleasantly surprised by the brightness and regulation. Happy to buy AA alkalines when needed.
Emergency: Someone who wants a light to have "just in case" (e.g. glovebox).
What I am trying to do is justify purchase of equipment needed to make these lights (lathe, etc) with the goal of making them for friends and family.
Design goals:
At least as bright as the G2, preferably somewhat more light (though not too bright)
Good quality beam useful for up to 50 yards (hotspot with adequate spill)
Pleasing light quality
Regulated
At least 90 minute runtime under regulation
Useable form factor
Can stand on end
Batteries – AA size, ANY of (NiMH, Alkaline, Lithium)
Driving factors:
I'm aiming for something that would be useable outdoors but also comfortably for such common household needs as working under the sink or working on a car. This is why I want it bright but not an overwhelming amount of light. Possibly multiple levels of regulation would help here. These uses also demand the "useable form factor", by which I mean something that can be used in relatively tight spaces. Lights such as a typical 3-cell or even 2-cell flashlight are awkward in these situations because they are frequently too long to maneuver and are precarious when stood on end. This light will be fairly small, though not a pocket-carry. "Pleasing light quality" for this project means incandescent. Other light technologies are great. I have LED lights and use an HID bike light. They're well-suited for their uses but there's just something ultimately unsatisfying about the light they produce. I want a good old-fashioned light bulb in this light.
So, what's this "7x44" thing?
It starts with the need to satisfy multipe types of users. Use of AA cells, since they are ubiquitous in both rechargeable and disposable forms. Some people will be fine with using rechargeables, but others will be much happier with just Alkalines. I want both to be able to use the light. My choice of bulb is the Reflectalite GH44 (likely frosted), as I've had experience using it in bicycle lighting and it has just about the right amount of output I'm looking for. The frosted version produced a very nice pattern from my bike light with sufficient throw from an adquately small reflector. To drive the bulb at a decent regulated output with NiMH, I'm thinking that 7 cells would be needed. I plan on arranging these 1-cell high. Instead of a "pack", the body of the light will be drilled with "chambers", resembling a pistol revolver. There will be one central chamber surrounded by 6 others. This will make for a fairly short but stubby light which should still fit the hand nicely and be standable.
If the user desires operation with Alkaline AA cells, the central chamber could be filled by a dummy battery. This may be more convenient since AA cells are generally sold in multiples of 2. Of course, the center chamber could be filled also, giving extended runtime.
4-cell configurations could also be possible. 4 Alkalines could be used, but this would be outside of regulation. For the type of user who desires a good "emergency light", anywhere from 4 to 7 Lithium AA cells would provide the benefits of this light (with regulation) in a form that should survive long-term storage. It may be less confusing to simply propose 6 or 7 cell fills and not bother the user with 4-cell/3dummy options.
Regulation
The best thing I've seen so far are the Willie Hunt regulators. They seem great, if somewhat expensive. I know some of you have used these. Are there workable alternatives? And, has anyone gone with the Willie Hunt regulators in kit form (the website seems to refer to these)? I'm looking to regulate the GH44 at something like 6.6 or perhaps 6.9 volts, though I'll need to do some tests to determine an optimal overdrive. (unless someone already has good data?) Multiple regulation levels would be desireable for those "under the sink" or "find the splinter" jobs. I'd like to be able to have an auto-turnoff with NiMH at something like 6 volts. For non-rechargeable mode I'd like to be able to disable the auto-turnoff.
Conclusion
Well, that's the idea. A whole lot of work to bring it to fruition, I imagine. So what do you think? On the one hand I wonder if I'm aiming squarely at mediocrity with this "super utility" idea. But on the other hand it seems like it might fit a good range of needs. I welcome any comments or advice.
I want something that will serve as a "utility" light, but with something of a "wow" factor. Something that will satisfy an enthusiast (me) but also someone who is not necessarily "into" flashlights. I envision 3 types of users:
Heavy user: uses often enough to justify care and feeding of rechargeables.
Everyman: Occasional user wants a useable and dependable light but will be pleasantly surprised by the brightness and regulation. Happy to buy AA alkalines when needed.
Emergency: Someone who wants a light to have "just in case" (e.g. glovebox).
What I am trying to do is justify purchase of equipment needed to make these lights (lathe, etc) with the goal of making them for friends and family.
Design goals:
At least as bright as the G2, preferably somewhat more light (though not too bright)
Good quality beam useful for up to 50 yards (hotspot with adequate spill)
Pleasing light quality
Regulated
At least 90 minute runtime under regulation
Useable form factor
Can stand on end
Batteries – AA size, ANY of (NiMH, Alkaline, Lithium)
Driving factors:
I'm aiming for something that would be useable outdoors but also comfortably for such common household needs as working under the sink or working on a car. This is why I want it bright but not an overwhelming amount of light. Possibly multiple levels of regulation would help here. These uses also demand the "useable form factor", by which I mean something that can be used in relatively tight spaces. Lights such as a typical 3-cell or even 2-cell flashlight are awkward in these situations because they are frequently too long to maneuver and are precarious when stood on end. This light will be fairly small, though not a pocket-carry. "Pleasing light quality" for this project means incandescent. Other light technologies are great. I have LED lights and use an HID bike light. They're well-suited for their uses but there's just something ultimately unsatisfying about the light they produce. I want a good old-fashioned light bulb in this light.
So, what's this "7x44" thing?
It starts with the need to satisfy multipe types of users. Use of AA cells, since they are ubiquitous in both rechargeable and disposable forms. Some people will be fine with using rechargeables, but others will be much happier with just Alkalines. I want both to be able to use the light. My choice of bulb is the Reflectalite GH44 (likely frosted), as I've had experience using it in bicycle lighting and it has just about the right amount of output I'm looking for. The frosted version produced a very nice pattern from my bike light with sufficient throw from an adquately small reflector. To drive the bulb at a decent regulated output with NiMH, I'm thinking that 7 cells would be needed. I plan on arranging these 1-cell high. Instead of a "pack", the body of the light will be drilled with "chambers", resembling a pistol revolver. There will be one central chamber surrounded by 6 others. This will make for a fairly short but stubby light which should still fit the hand nicely and be standable.
If the user desires operation with Alkaline AA cells, the central chamber could be filled by a dummy battery. This may be more convenient since AA cells are generally sold in multiples of 2. Of course, the center chamber could be filled also, giving extended runtime.
4-cell configurations could also be possible. 4 Alkalines could be used, but this would be outside of regulation. For the type of user who desires a good "emergency light", anywhere from 4 to 7 Lithium AA cells would provide the benefits of this light (with regulation) in a form that should survive long-term storage. It may be less confusing to simply propose 6 or 7 cell fills and not bother the user with 4-cell/3dummy options.
Regulation
The best thing I've seen so far are the Willie Hunt regulators. They seem great, if somewhat expensive. I know some of you have used these. Are there workable alternatives? And, has anyone gone with the Willie Hunt regulators in kit form (the website seems to refer to these)? I'm looking to regulate the GH44 at something like 6.6 or perhaps 6.9 volts, though I'll need to do some tests to determine an optimal overdrive. (unless someone already has good data?) Multiple regulation levels would be desireable for those "under the sink" or "find the splinter" jobs. I'd like to be able to have an auto-turnoff with NiMH at something like 6 volts. For non-rechargeable mode I'd like to be able to disable the auto-turnoff.
Conclusion
Well, that's the idea. A whole lot of work to bring it to fruition, I imagine. So what do you think? On the one hand I wonder if I'm aiming squarely at mediocrity with this "super utility" idea. But on the other hand it seems like it might fit a good range of needs. I welcome any comments or advice.
