I have a couple of the hope ones here from a failed hope2 upgrade .
remind me when the leds have arrived .
Am i too late to order two of each please? tlyons10@aol.com
RWS yes can add you will have a tot up tonight .
Looks good - gonna have to get the shopping list out and turn this into a little project for the next few weeks.
what the hell, i fancy a crack at this. put me down for 2 + 2 please (im hoping by the end of it i will have a vague idea what you lot are on about!!). will it be advisable to get myself armed with a heat-shrink kit for this, or can you get by without?
v8 I'd get a kit there only a couple of quid from B&Q last time I looked.
Hi Chris,
Can you put me down for 4 leds and refelectors.
Thanks
JC
hi trout
can you put me down for 2 + 2 please.
cheers
Carl
I have found a housing that will accept 3 XPGs and reflectors, and was thinking of powering it using 3x 18650 (11.1V) batteries (fitted inside), would a single Teapot driver be OK for this, and would one of the Smudge 12.6V (1A) Chargers work as well?
Does anyone know if Teapot has any drivers, as there are none listed.
I take it you would need the heat shrink for the cables going to the battery pack or would it be needed for the wiring inside the housing also?
Yes you should be fine with that combo TSB .
I have emailed Teapot / blackcat technologies about his driver stock .
Thanks Trout, can I change my order to 4 XPG's and 4 reflectors.
Jeeze this is mad .
Lipseal 2+2
Vinnyeh 2+2
steelfan 2+2
van halen 2+2
surfbus 4+4
Stay high 4+4
filtertips 2+2
Citezen kane 2+2
runswithscissors 2+2
adamdv8 2+2
clobber 4+4
Free space 2+2
I'll give it a go too. 2 + 2 for me. How long does an order usually take to come through?
Jeeze this is mad
Not yet it isnt but I'm guessing it will be 😉
To save time with emails flowing my way at the minute. If anyone is interested I am doing a short run of a 7.5V 2.6Ah Li-Ion battery and 2S charger for £47 inc postage (paypal fee extra).
Please email for more information.
Good work Troutie and good luck to everyone building one up
Bloody Hell CK you started this off and made historyWill do and any tips on the thread would be appreciated .
Trout,
I think youve got this one well under control, it will be great if all these orders turn into lights.
I'm given these reflectors a go after building an Easy DIY with 6 XPG's and 20mm round optics. Huge amount of light going in all the wrong directions.
Is this light going to earn itself a nickname, along the lines of Bastid? Be useful for follow-up threads, eg " Show us your ****r lights". Any suggestions?
Ha Ha CK maybe now but not when the leds come in and I am frantically building Liberators might need your help then .
Teapot is building drivers and just waiting for a diode to come in to finish them .
What drugs are you on Smudge you just said to save emails flowing and in the next breath said email me for details 😆
Lazymike I am hoping this week but prob next .or I am up sh*t creek .
and to make it easy I have a length of the ali angle so will chop it up and for a small donation send with the leds.
Ok I've done some reading and now have some questions to be getting on with. Please bear with my mental knuckle dragging.
I would like the light to be 3 mode, hi/low/off so I would need a on off on switch such as [url= http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2341 ]THIS[/url] in type B or can you get a push or click switch to do this function?
Can the [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260641549335 ]TEAPOT[/url] driver be used for this type of switch?
What thermal paste would people recommend using and where from or does it matter? I was thinking of getting stuff from Maplin but are they the Halfords of the electrical world? Also what glue would you use?
Ok thats enough for now, my brain hurts.
Thanks chaps 🙂
stayhigh couple of things I've picked up...copper slip for thermal paste, [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180503820082&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT ]click for glue[/url] and I think the driver is a high/low, if not you could always use a resistor on the other side of the switch(not sure on ohm size though?) HTH
Troutie is it too late to jump on the order?? If not can you put me down for 2+2 please
Hi Guys,
Troutie tipped me off about this topic - thought I'd just chip in to answer a few questions. I'm hoping to have drivers this week - the missing parts should be with me tomorrow so I'm hoping to get a few finished and tested then. I won't be able to despatch Thursday and I'm away this weekend so unless you catch me on Friday it will be Monday before they ship. (Not that this should be a major worry if you have to wait for bits to come from Cutters - I hope Troutie has better luck getting XPGs from there than another customer of mine did!)
Anyway, the driver comes in two types, standard and half-power mode built in. The IC I use has a control pin which works as a very low power shutdown when connected to ground (battery negative). You can also reduce the output current by connecting it to ground via a resistor. The half-power versions have this resistor built in - unfortunately this means you can't use the shutdown. It's fairly easy to use a three-way switch with external resistor to allow you shutdown and reduced power modes. I'd suggest a resistor between 100k and 200k - this gives roughly 1/3 to 1/2 full power. The dim-mode drivers have 200k built in. You could even use two switches, one on/off and one giving three brightness settings.
The lumicycle drivers I do have a slightly different arrangement so you can still shutdown but the dimming resistor is still on board. I think the next batch of drivers I get made will have something similar as it seems a common requirement.
Hopefully these links will work....
Half-power and shutdown option with the standard driver:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50439158@N02/5034032089/
Three-level power with separate on/off switch:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50439158@N02/5034050709/
Edit: Sorry, can't work out how to embed pictures from Flickr so you'll have to make do with the links...
chris you put so much back in....................hats off
Nockmeister put the order in late last night but added a few on either for me to use or late comers so your OK for a couple.
BCT Steven thanks for chipping in and helping my rapidly overloading brain ..
Depending on which way works best any chance of you sending the correct resister out with your board.
Cheers Monty to be honest I didnt think it would be so popular when I posted the OP
Thanks for all the links and tips, I am a total noob at this so its fun learning new stuff 🙂
I'm still a bit confused over the driver set up I would need for hi/low/off. I'd like to just have the one switch on the back so I would need to use an external resistor between 100-200k with th standard driver?
I had a quick look on Maplins who list a variety of different types, wirewound, metal film, light dependant. which type would I need for this driver?
If I was to use a Smudge battery for the external pack what would give me roughly 3 hours on full whack?
The standard driver and resister works best for me with an 3 position switch .
the smudge battery would give you about 2.5 hours on full but may dim a little near the end.
Would that be the 7.5V 2.6Ah Li-Ion battery and 2S charger he mentioned above? If so I'll have to go the AA route for now as cant really afford that.
How do you know how many batteries to use and what voltage ampage etc. I guess then that the battery holder would be wired to the light and the cells could then be taken out for charging.
When I have a bit more spare cash could then upgrade to Smudge battery.
i`m going for the standard driver and 200k resistor with external battery and bodged bar mount.
the missus was laughing at me last night as i was getting excited about this.
off to maplins tomorrow with list clutched in hand to be laughed at by those more knowledgeable.
Van Halen: are you getting the switch and resistor from Maplins? If so which ones are you going for?
wish I'd caught this yesterday, I've not added up the costs but looks good!
One option for switches:
http://www.rapidonline.com/sku/Electronic-Components/Switches/Toggle-Switches/Miniature-toggle-switches-SCI/30254/75-0135
with this cover:
http://www.rapidonline.com/sku/Electronic-Components/Switches/Toggle-Switches/Toggle-switch-cover/60332/75-0120
I have a few of these so could supply either loose or ready-wired.
Just a quick note I'd best put in here, running from a 7.5V battery my driver will fairly quickly fall out of regulation running two XPGs. Internal losses at 1A are around 1V which only just leaves enough power for the LEDs. You'll still get nearly full power once it drops out of regulation though.
Trout,
Its unlikely you've any spare but please if you do have 2+2 spare then Id be interested. Its a fantastic project by all accounts and just what I fancied doing!
J.
Dont rush to buy owt yet The leds may be a week
and Steven aka black cat tech is looking at the driver options he mailed me this morning about it .
Bigjim I have ordered a few extra sets just in case .
idea to help me keep track if additions to the list
copy the list and put your name and requirements on a new post
then the updated total will be the last one on the thread.
Edit .
those switches and boots look just the job
second edit
Jazid got enough ordered to include you too 😉
hi i emailed you just signing in
Ok Mr Trout, put me down as well for 2+2 and a bit of angle please. I will have a go at doing this as well for my son rather than buy a Magicshine light. Liked the look of some of those on the MTBR link you posted!
i`ll be getting everything (bar the bits teapot and trout are supplying) from maplins.
or from what i can pillage from around the home/garage.
the best bit about maplins near me is i get to go to the the thai shop down the road. tom yum noodles are lush. there is a good lbs round the corner too but noodles win every time.
You're a very generous man Troutie. The amount of emails that you have answered is amazing. You could have built some lamps in the time (joking).
Me too mr Troutie.
I'm going to have a go at an external battery and use it as a head mounted unit.
this is providing you have enough sets left of course. I'd also appreciate some angle too.
many thanks.
stupid phone reposting messages............ 🙁
second edit...
ggrrrrr..... looking forward next week to upgrade.
Thanks Troutie! Please put me down for the 2+2, plus a bit of angle too.
Please let us know how much you want and how and when we should pay? Paypal or direct bank transfer?
Very much appreciated your helping the community learn about LED lighting. Shame the end product won't be a patch on your own wonderful products, buts a great start anyhow! Thank you.
just checking in
cheers buddy
OK list update.
Lipseal 2+2
Vinnyeh 2+2
steelfan 2+2
van halen 2+2
surfbus 4+4
Stay high 4+4
filtertips 2+2
Citezen kane 2+2
runswithscissors 2+2
adamdv8 2+2
clobber 4+4
Free space 2+2
lazymike 2+2
nockmeister 2+2
jazid 2+2
wildrness 2+2 & Ayup upgrade ???
markyg82 2+2
if you are on the list and shouldnt be or arnt and want to be then post to say.
battery wise for externals would be a 3S lithium ion pack 11.1 volts
for the AA battery pack an 8 cell pack 9.6 volts .
Hopefully you are adding me 😉 thanks!
Can you put me on the list with a bit if alu as well.
Cheers
When you all get your kit, get together, switch on at the same time at midnight and see if you can make all the birdlife think dawn has come early...
Missed me on the list for 2+2 and angle please 8)
Think this light should be named "the rookie", especially with my soldering skills! Really excited about building this now.
Didn't realize you could run this off 8aa's (obviously run time will be lower and weight would be higher).
Anyone know anything about LiFePO4 batteries and suitablity for this project (i.e. will they explode if I were to majorly stack it on a night ride)?
OK list update.
Lipseal 2+2
Vinnyeh 2+2
steelfan 2+2
van halen 2+2
surfbus 4+4
Stay high 4+4
filtertips 2+2
Citezen kane 2+2
runswithscissors 2+2
adamdv8 2+2
clobber 4+4
Free space 2+2
lazymike 2+2
nockmeister 2+2
jazid 2+2
wildrness 2+2 & Ayup upgrade ???
markyg82 2+2
SV 2+2
Quirrel 2+2
Curly68 2+2
Thats only 4 leds and 4 optics left on the order .
Im gobsmacked by the response.
Right I have had a change of plans for mine as the Li po battery I had was too tight a fit .
so I cut the case in half to make a light with external battery . I am going to put it on a lupine head belt cos the light is so light weight .
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
What to use for a facia plate after a bit of rooting in the garage there it was a spare clear cover for a welding mask .
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
these are consumables and can be had from welders supplies .
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
That looks like a wicked head light! I am going to build one for my son. He has problems mounting a battery on his Intense Tazer being a monocoque frame and no water bottles plus short stem!
I did see that on the MTBR link, there were a few lights with three + LED's in what looked like the same enclosure. Is that the case or just a bigger unit?
Just in the process of building up a new batch of drivers. I've got parts to make 30 more then I'm afraid there will have to be changes. The IC I use has just doubled in price from my supplier so I'm going to have to increase the cost by about £1.25 minimum, possibly more as I've been absorbing price increases up to now.
There is an alternative at a similar price to my old supply, the problem is that the lower input voltage limit has gone up to 8V so the two-lithium cell option goes out the window with that particular chip.
Sorry to break this to people, I've only just found out myself... I'll hold the existing price for the remainder of this batch.
BCT- is it going to be best to order the driver from you off here or ebay?
Might be easier to work out how many are accounted for on here and give them priority then release the rest for eBay. I can also do them on here for a fiver as it saves my eBay fees.
If anyone on 'the list' doesn't want a driver, please post here, if anyone not on it does want one again post to let me know. I'm assuming all want 970mA standard mode drivers (dim/off via the switch) unless told otherwise.
BCT - Standard for me. These diagrams that have been posted look quite easy. Will be out of work in two weeks (redundant) so will have some time on my hands to make one 😉
Standard driver for me also please.
i'm going to have a go at the headmounted option - what difference does this make to the battery options, what would you recommend in terms of life versus size/cost, and how would it then be best to wire up? socket in the back of the light,or sealed cable gland and socket at the battery end, if you get what i mean.
Blackcat - Standard driver for me please too
Trout - bit of angle as well if any going spare. thanks
Thanks BCT, standard driver for me too please!
Is it worthwhile you sending the completed batch to Troutie and then him sending them out directly or is this too confusing? Would it then be worthwhile us paying Troutie your £5 and him paying you?
If not (I dont blame you) how should we pay you?
(Ive just sent you an email with my email addy anyhow)
John
Like a kid in a sweet shop...
BCT not sure if you'll want to give away your trade secrets! but my son is on an electronics course and fancies having a go at making a driver, where can he find a components list? you can email me if details are too sensative for open publication!! (Thx for putting us at the top of the list for the next batch btw)
Fellas
I am cool if you want to pay Steven by what ever means is best for him #
and he can send them all to me in one package I will then sent them with the leds .
Hardly a trade secret! It's just a pretty standard implementation of the Zetex (Diodes Inc) ZXLD1360 - just google that and you'll find the datasheet. I'd say not possible to build one without a proper PCB though as heat and electrical noise would be too much of an issue.
I'll leave it up to Troutie if he wants to take the batch and do it that way - I can also supply the switch and boot if people are interested.
Regarding batteries, I'd say three lithium or 8 minimum NiMH for this setup. For the lithiums you'll get about 1h40 run time on full power for each amp-hour of capacity.
Found this holder for the 8 AA rechargeable battery solution (£2.25 delivered);
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300448563550
BCT thx, i'll pass on your wise words,alot of very helpful people on here can't wait to get started!
BlackCatTech,
Do you have a feel for the maximum cable length I can use if I were to site the driver away from the light unit, I know that other Buck devices have a max recommended cable lenght, I'm thinking of putting the driver about 18 to 20" away.
Lyn.
(x2) for your battery box. The lid helps keep the cells in place. Don't bother with the ones with switches, it's not rated highly enough for the amount of current.
For longer cables the impedance will have an effect on the efficiency of the driver. 'Basic' cable is about 0.1 ohm per meter so you'll add about 0.1V to your LED load for each meter of cable. Better cable will have lower losses. You need to be aware that a cable may act like an antenna and transmit some lovely electrical noise as the current isn't static, it fluctuates at a few hundred kHz.
My email is in my profile for payment details for parts.
If I pay Black Cat is he going to send the driver to Trout who will send it to me?
IS that that current state of play?
Go on then if theres any left
OK list update.
Lipseal 2+2
Vinnyeh 2+2
steelfan 2+2
van halen 2+2
surfbus 4+4
Stay high 4+4
filtertips 2+2
Citezen kane 2+2
runswithscissors 2+2
adamdv8 2+2
clobber 4+4
Free space 2+2
lazymike 2+2
nockmeister 2+2
jazid 2+2
wildrness 2+2 & Ayup upgrade ???
markyg82 2+2
SV 2+2
Quirrel 2+2
Curly68 2+2
bear-uk 2+2
only 2 +2 left
Crazy people 😀
Standard driver for me please ,BCT is it possible to fit a supressor to cancel out any interferance
I in agreement with the 'Kid in a sweetshop' statement....I feel like I'm in a virtual Bike LED bike light 'Wall Street' scenario....
Is there no limit to Troutie's skills, Midas of the light world 😉
Just wondering, with all the links within this tread, would anyone (I don't have the expertise) compile a handy step by step that collates the 'which bits to buy' please...if they can?
Would be awsome.
Great thread, I'm never going to get my dissertaion off the ground while this sort of thing his hammering along!
2+2 left, shame to leave it there, yes please 😉
I'm never going to get these drivers built tonight as this rate! 😉
If most people are likely to want the switch and boot I can add them and a suitable resistor to the driver for say £1 (unwired). I'll discuss the combined option with Troutie as we need to decide on P&P charges - if I'm sending a load to him I can pretty much write off the postage cost. I charge a quid on eBay to cover the packing materials as well as the postage charge so anyone buying direct would need to add that.
Would there be any call for DC power connectors? I can get both sockets and plugs on 1.8m of cable as below:
http://www.rapidonline.com/sku/Cables-Connectors/Connectors-Mains-Power/DC-Power-Connectors/Moulded-DC-power-lead/28843/20-1020
http://www.rapidonline.com/sku/Cables-Connectors/Connectors-Mains-Power/DC-Power-Connectors/Heavy-duty-DC-power-socket/63544/20-1072
I order from Rapid fairly often so can do a bulk order if a few people want these adding to the driver. Don't forget that Rapid prices don't include VAT unless you click the appropriate button. They are generally considerably cheaper than Maplin but you have to order £30 minimum or you get hit with a fiver charge.
As for suppressors, it's not really something I've looked at. You could probably fit a ferrite ring on the lead but I can't quantify how much effect it would have. I've not got the kit to hand to measure performance on longer pieces of wire I'm afraid. I can't see it being a massive problem and if anyone comes chasing after you because you've disrupted Corrie on their TV then you'll just have to get a bit more exercise than you planned! 😛
driver for me please.
what are the dimensions of the driver? thinking about getting the most out pf the space.
DC connectors and cable required for the external battery pack would be a great idea to include. Yes please!
DC connectors and cable for me as well.
OK list update.and all gone 😯
Lipseal 2+2
Vinnyeh 2+2
steelfan 2+2
van halen 2+2
surfbus 4+4
Stay high 4+4
filtertips 2+2
Citezen kane 2+2
runswithscissors 2+2
adamdv8 2+2
clobber 4+4
Free space 2+2
lazymike 2+2
nockmeister 2+2
jazid 2+2
wildrness 2+2 & Ayup upgrade ???
markyg82 2+2
SV 2+2
Quirrel 2+2
Curly68 2+2
bear-uk 2+2
fozzyuk 2+2
All gone now 😆
BlackCatTech
Thats 25 sets and you said you were doing 30 drivers of the standard design .
put me down for the other 5 please as I like to have them in the parts box .
to recap and add a little
I will be supplying
2 xpg leds on 20 mm stars @ £5 each
2 Regina reflectors @ £1.82 each
1 piece of aluminium L section @ £0.50
and can also do the front clear 1.5mm thick lexan @ £0.50
plus postage ?????
the lexan wont be cut to size and drilled 😥
Can`t take credit for the light design as it was CKs original idea and think the name should reflect that
BlackCatTech/Troutie
As I ordered enough for two sets of lights can I also order two drivers, would also be interested in the lexan switch, resistor, cable and connectors, again enough for two lights worth.
Thanks