*BLF LT1 Lantern Project) (updated Nov,17,2020)

I am in … Currently using my Q8 with Thrunite Catapult diffuser and various removable snap on silicone molded mods.

Keep up the good work.

This. I don’t want multi-purpose, jack of all trades master of none finicky contraptions with loose bits that you can’t find or get lost.

Convoy should make this. Very good value for money and generally high quality.

That is the plan. to build a simple, reliable, low cost compact lantern that will do what a lantern is supposed to do, ( which what is lacking at the moment in the lantern industry from any store-bought & most online bought LED lanterns.

Exactly. That’s what I want :smiley:

I’m back from a long hiatus away from BLF. I saw this thread when I checked in now and then. Here’s a simplistic idea that I’d like some feedback on.

My simple idea is to re-purpose a commercial household LED light bulb and replace the AC power supply with a DC power supply. The ideal bulb should already have good CRI and beam profile for lighting a room or 360-degree open space.

What do you guys and gals think?

Durability during transport would be an problem. It’s not rugged enough and maybe wouldn’t weatherproof.
Also power source would be a problem, since this would cause three components to use (powerbank, cable and lantern/bulb).

A dedicated lantern makes sense for outdoor use.
For indor use an DC bulb could be an option.

I already did that modification with a Coleman florescent lantern, and modded a 11-watt 120 volt bulb to run on its 12 volt DC power.

Do you have a build post?

sadly i didn’t do a build post, but here is a photo of the modified lantern with the Philips 11-watt household bulb. The Lantern draws less amps from the batteries with the LED bulb than it did with the CFL bulb it originally had, (for more run time) and its brighter on high mode. Also it has much better tint with the 3200K bulb. (i used the original remote-control lantern’s control circuit) A also added a 12 volt-in port & power source selector switch so it can be powered by a car cig-lighter cord, a wall adapter, or with a battery clamp cord to run from a boat or car battery for continuous running.

What’s wrong with this Fenix?

The Fenix lantern is a well-thoughtout thing.
But the light it emits looks very cool and 1x18650 does not have the runtime of 4x18650.
And it is quite ugly of course, a lantern should be pleasant to look at :slight_smile:

I also had one of those, They are ok, but feels cheap for the price paid, (entirely plastic) low run times on higher modes with single 18650 cell, and tint is a bit too cool for lantern use.

Heheh that plastic “fantastic” thing is something I would only get when I saw it for $4 without and $8 with cell. How much is it?

I remember seeing a clone of that Fenix lantern somewhere for a far less cost than the Fenix brand one above, but can’t remember where it was sold.

UPDATE: Oct,8,2017:

  • A TP4056 type USB Micro charging circuit has been added to the lantern prototype.
    With full depleted cells, the lantern pulls 1.06 amps from the USB charger, and that drops as the cells charge to full. (this gives roughly 250mA to each cell so its a slower charge, but will be better for the cells longevity in the long run. Right now the Lantern will charge depleted cells, (below 3 volts) to full in a day charging on a 1.0~2.0A wall charger. I am currently testing the lantern Run-times per night versus charge times on a 11-watt solar USB folding charger per day, to test its ability as an off grid light for indefinite use.

Way cool !! Good to see.

Awesome!
For real version a little more amps could be wise if the input allows it, but sure cool to see this process.

That’s great. Need one for hurricanes. Can you ramp up or down the brightest as needed ?

Nice!

Do you also have plans to be able to use it as a powerbank, to charge you cellphone or GPS in an emergency?