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
I have been looking round for a handlebar bracket that could be bodged to take the homebrew lights, and I was in Halfords last night and they have a couple of different handlebar/helmet mounts for their lights (about a fiver each), which look like they could be modified to fit.
Anyone else got any suggestions for mounting to bars?
standard driver, switch, boot and dc connectors also here please
Slight hijack here...Blackcat, dropped you an email re driver for triple of quad xpg.
Did you receive it?
Thanks.
Hey up Scott .
He will be buried under solder by now .
if he runs out of this batch you can have one of my 5 ordered .
Sorry for being slow but with ths std driver, I assume that the 100k resistor will give roughly 50percent output and the 200k 33percent output?
Could you stick a potentiometer inbetween instead ( a lightweight internal pcb one might be better if such one exists)?
How should we pay you troutie?
I think I might call my light "The Edu-C.K-ator"
Good name Jazid
Paypal to troutie mail address in profile
add something on for postage
and don't make me pay any fees
Cheers
Would something like this be suitable if so, what resistance/item order could could anyone recommend?
( http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Resistors-Potentiometer/Preset-Potentiometers/3-8in-Single-turn-vertically-mounted-potentiometer/73462/kw/pcb+potentiometer+500k)
Instead of screwing the LED stars to the aluminium bracket, could [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130353710926&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT ]this[/url] thermal tape be used instead, it might make installation slightly quicker/easier?
Oi Trout ... you copying me ... ! 😀 😀 😀 just kiddin ...
Mine from 2007:
Same wee box with 2x Seoul P4s @ 1A( was best value at the time in '07 ) , each with a wide and narrow beam in. Runs off 7.2V batteries for RC cars in a water bottle. Cheap batteries to replace and I can have a bundle of them pre-charged for an event and simply swap them out in the bottle. Per light / battery = 3hrs run time.
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I even built a rear one with 2x 3W LEDS ...
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BCT you got a price/list for the bits you are sending to Troutie? Would like whatever you can send - driver, switch & boot and the connectors please.
Troutie just about to send the PP over now (as per the list on the previous page).
BCT Steven has mailed me to give a info update.
Hi Chris,
Can you do me a favour? I can't post on the list while I'm at work and I won't be home until late tonight. Don't want people to think I've done a runner!
I've found a temporary solution to the driver problems - I can get a very similar chip at not much extra cost which will do the same job. This has the benefit of lower losses as well so will be better suited to anyone who still wants to run from two lithium cells. This should keep me going for now then when the bare boards are starting to run out I'll look in to other alternatives.
RS have just started stocking thermal adhesive pads for LED stars which may be of use to people, I'd still recommend screws for mechanical stability though. I'll put together a price list later today for the 'extras'.
Are you happy to take a bulk lot of parts to put in to kits? I don't mind if you want to take combined payment and pass my share on or if you'd prefer people to pay me individually. Might it be easier to do a complete kit of driver, switch, boot and connectors rather than asking people to specify which parts they need? The extras don't cost that much so for simplicity that may be the best approach.
Regards,
Stephen
Nice one fisha .
and still a good idea in 2010
Think lumicycle supply good brackets but you will need to drill and tap or use a nut to fix it on the box, worth a look. I will send monies tonight but I only need LEDs and lenses got the wife to cut out the platic cover for me at school as they use a laser cutter.
Edit I'll wait till BCT comes back with prices etc and see what your going to do about delivery.. That driver sound ideal for me as I'm going to run a 5.2Ah li-ion battery.
Please can anyone who pays say what your stw login is too as getting mighty confused
Trout - didn't want to interrupt this thread and go OT, but would appreciate if you could take a gander at this for me when you have a mo'.....?
Think lumicycle supply good brackets but you will need to drill and tap or use a nut to fix it on the box, worth a look. I will send monies tonight but I only need LEDs and lenses got the wife to cut out the platic cover for me at school as they use a laser cutter.
Mine use the lumi-cycle light with a nylon nut on the inside. Works very well.
Plus, its an easy swap to change the clamp between an MTB mount and and oversize one for my road bike.
Wow crazy! Look forward to the build results! I think you've got them all allocated now troutie but if anyone changes their mind I'll give a light a bash. Good work team.
Trout, I've sent the money through for you, hopefully.
Could you let us know please if bct goes down the road of supplying driver, switch connectors etc as a package, because it would be helpful to me- and how much and where to send payment to for his side.
what is the total cost then to be sent to Troutie, I've lost track.
