Tracer LED??? (home made)

[WildRice]

I saw those radioactive glowing thingies and thought they were rather cool. but that only sparked an idea. Make something close!!!!!!!!!!!

The hardest part is hand drilling the hole in the front of the LED.. I tried from the side and back, but the front seems to be the best.

But once this was done I filled the hole with glow powder.. I used stuff that was advertised for gel candled ( grainier, not like corn starch). I then topped it off with super glue on a pin tip to seal it.

The light output is less effected the more centered the hole is. I am planning these for kid flashlights. The glow from the front is ok, but from the side it looks like one of those tracer lights.

Also, the glow looks much better if the LED is centered in a reflector (just holding the LED near center of 1 1/2in cheapie flashlight reflector.

Share the wealth, well.... except for ErgoMarine...

jeff

 

[Saaby]

Neat!

 

[Xrunner]

Cool!

-Mike

 

[PhotonWrangler]

Very cool, Jeff! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[georges80]

Looks neat. I have some side emitter Luxeon lights that I made, will have to go and put a dab of glow powder on the flat 'top' - should get well charged ;-)

george.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

I wonder if you can put a bit of glow powder on the top of an EverLED; since it uses a SE Luxeon. Or if doing that would ruin the optical properties of the optic.
I've only got one EverLED, so I can't experiment with it.

 

[MR Bulk]

Perhaps dab a spot of clear fingernail polish in the central depression, then "dust" with the powder and shake excess off when dry...let us know the beam characteristics!

 

[gadget_lover]

[ QUOTE ]
The LED Museum said:
I wonder if you can put a bit of glow powder on the top of an EverLED; since it uses a SE Luxeon. Or if doing that would ruin the optical properties of the optic.
I've only got one EverLED, so I can't experiment with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

You should be able to check this non-destructively. Put the glow on a piece of clear tape. Attach tape to top of EverLed. Power up!

Daniel

 

[ResQTech]

How did you get the glow powder in that little hole?

 

[WildRice]

VERY CAREFULLY. since the heavier grain flows more easily, I used a small straw with the end cut at an angle, and drop it in. then pack it in with a led lead.
jeff