"CopperLux", Homemade Copper Pipe Luxeon Star LED Flashlight

Here is a flashlight I made with one inch copper plumbing pipe, a pipe cap, and a pipe connector. It has a Luxeon Star, and voltage regulation by a MAX756, and uses 2 'C' batteries.

Go to this web page to see photos.

CopperLux

Very creative. Looks like nice workmanship, too. Just a casual thought... I hope you will leave it at home when traveling by commercial aircraft. Those (now) federal employees doing security work will not like it.
See ya.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kogatana:
Very creative. Looks like nice workmanship, too. Just a casual thought... I hope you will leave it at home when traveling by commercial aircraft. Those (now) federal employees doing security work will not like it.

See ya.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, carrying this flashlight to an airport guarantees you free passage, but not to your intended destination.

Nice work! I really like it.

I have to admit to building such a light many years ago; it had 16 red LEDs in it and was about as bright as any typical red LED is today.

You mention 6 hours of run time; what current are you driving the Luxeon at?

Again, that's a very nice mod; the original copper color is nice.

Nice job, Wayne...does the body of the flashlight get warm after a while? I bet the copper is a really good thing...for the heatsink purposes...

Cool!

If you don't mind my asking- -- How did you get that radial pattern coming off the LED in the second shot?? A plug-in to your image processing program??

Thanks!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lambda:
Nice work! I really like it.

I have to admit to building such a light many years ago; it had 16 red LEDs in it and was about as bright as any typical red LED is today.

You mention 6 hours of run time; what current are you driving the Luxeon at?

Again, that's a very nice mod; the original copper color is nice.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I put this one together before I knew how to measure current. As the MAX756 is preset to 3.3 volts, I suppose it is running at 390mA.

I made a lot of these, with multiple white LED's, with 3 'C' batteries.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by roger:
Nice job, Wayne...does the body of the flashlight get warm after a while? I bet the copper is a really good thing...for the heatsink purposes...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey Roger,

I never notice too much in the way of heat generation, unless it is on and inside a pocket! I think the copper disipates the heat extremely well. I think that the conductance of the copper in some way helps the regulator? Not sure, but it really cranks!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Silviron:
Cool!

If you don't mind my asking- -- How did you get that radial pattern coming off the LED in the second shot?? A plug-in to your image processing program??

Thanks!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Bwah ha ha ha! Yes, I got carried away with touching up the photo with a light enhancement feature. Hee hee!

That must be the world's most perfect tool-box light. Of course I'd never find it if I left it in my plumbing box.

How about making some of these for the CPFers...smooth out the housing a bit, get rid of the slide-type switch and replace it with a push button...you'd have one serious, simple, utility light!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by roger:
How about making some of these for the CPFers...smooth out the housing a bit, get rid of the slide-type switch and replace it with a push button...you'd have one serious, simple, utility light!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Well, if there were an interest in this, I could make some for others. ?? It takes a lot of work for the switch. (I need to find a good tool for cutting a hole like this?) I have a rocker switch for the next one. I want to somehow incorporate a flashing/strobe feature. The rocker switch has 2 on settings, which would give 2 settings, constant on, and strobe. (Who, just who, could look at a strobing Luxeon Star?) Anybody have a good flashing circuit?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by roger:
How about making some of these for the CPFers...smooth out the housing a bit, get rid of the slide-type switch and replace it with a push button...you'd have one serious, simple, utility light!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Regarding making these for others, I don't know. It takes me a lot of time. I'd be working for less than minimum wage, I think?

Voltage regulation?!??!?!? Who needs that? Just slap a 12v lead acid battery on it and go . Direct-drive it until it pops. Seriously though, I have in the plans a current regulated mod. I espically like the copper look of your light!!

Eric

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ElektroLumens:

Well, if there were an interest in this, I could make some for others. ?? It takes a lot of work for the switch. (I need to find a good tool for cutting a hole like this?) I have a rocker switch for the next one. I want to somehow incorporate a flashing/strobe feature. The rocker switch has 2 on settings, which would give 2 settings, constant on, and strobe. (Who, just who, could look at a strobing Luxeon Star?) Anybody have a good flashing circuit?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Threading the end caps would also be a plus.

I love the copper color, when I was a kid, my favorite crayon in my box of 64 was the copper one.... This would have to be shellaced or something to keep it from going verdigris, though...

ElektroLumens,

that is really cool. .

lightlover

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alaric Darconville:
Threading the end caps would also be a plus.

I love the copper color, when I was a kid, my favorite crayon in my box of 64 was the copper one.... This would have to be shellaced or something to keep it from going verdigris, though...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

One thing I don't care for is the cap that pushes on. However, it has never been a problem. I squeeze the end cap a bit to put it out of round, so it is real snug. If it ever comes a little loose, which is extremely seldom, I just give it a little push and slight twist.

It has a coat of clear enamel on it, which keeps it the copper color.

That's an elegant design.

I think creative packaging is the next big step.

Yes,

Package and market as a $250 plumber's flashlight (they can afford it with their rates). You'd be rich!

I have a CopperLux Luxeon Star voltage regulated flashlight up for auction on eBay. This version has a different switch, and uses a MAX757 regulator instead of the MAX756.



CopperLux on eBay