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

You must not over-estimate the effort of designing body parts for the manufacturer, that is thinking for them, what they are and are not prepared to make they are perfectly capable of deciding themselves.

For the Q8, we went with an existing Thorfire battery tube which IMO does not really fit the head in a design point of view, which I still think is a bit of a pity (and looking at the picture in post #670, that would have been a nicer and more practical tail end). And thinking back, that was not because of cost and complexity but because we were uncertain of the dedication of Thorfire to the project and wanted to make them feel comfortable by using a part of their own design (a thing that should not be needed anymore, now that the Q8 project has proven to be succesful).

Aim high!! :slight_smile:

That looks nice! If it legoes with the Q8 head, I might have to order 2 lanterns :wink:

By the way, why is there a need for a tripod mount on a lantern? If you make a nice lanyard hole on the bottom, you can delete the threaded holes IMO.

A hook on the head would be nice, I don’t have a need for it on the bottom.

If you happen to have a tripod it allows you to not only raise it, so that the table (for e.g.) it is on does not cast a shadow everywhere, but it also allows you to tilt it to cast a shadow behind so you can more effectively light things to one side and have no glare on the other.

Also it allows you to raise it above eye level on a table so it is not blinding everyone sitting there, when you don’t have a tree or something to hang it from. And if the tripod mount is central it allows for mounting a ring to hang it from that is central, so if it spins there is no distracting shifting of the light pattern.

Worth having, especially if you are taking a Q8 and/or a camera with you as well, so everything is compatible and more options are opened up.

I haven’t actually had time to fully read through the thread but I have always wanted a good lantern so please add me to the interest list for one.

I thought I already expressed my interest but I’m not on the list yet, so put me down as interested please.

I am interested in one

I am interested, please add me to the list with 2 pcs.

The advantage of a tripod mount on the bottom is to be able to mount the light on a tripod, to illuminate a larger open area, ( like a camping field or parking lot.) i may make a demo photo soon of that idea.

Please put me down for 3 more. Thanks!

Glad to see this project is making progress. Can’t wait to see the final product.

I’m interested …add me to your list

Thanks for the info on the tripod holes guys.
I usually have a can of beer or a log around while camping, guess that’ll do in most cases to raise the light. But more options for more uses is always good. Looking forward to the pics DBSAR!

Please add me to the list.

Sounds like a great little lantern Count me in!

Could you add me to the interest list again (for a total of 3 times)? Thanks…

I am already on the list for two, I excited to see the finished product. That said, I do a lot of backpack camping where packing in a two pound lantern is a bit much. I am thinking about swapping leds on a single 18350 or 18650 light for times when I can get by with a smaller lantern. I might even get crazy and try to mod it with a down facing LED like you are doing.

It is always fun to follow these projects through the twist’s and turns. I am already thinking about what the next project might be. Keep it up guys!

I think the idea is to integrate the charging circuit into the tube in some way. It could have a spring at the top to contact the positive ring on the driver, the same as the cells, and the negative side can come directly from the grounding of the tube itself. When the light is assembled with cells inside, the charger/power bank would be parallel to the three cells. The USB port(s) can be slotted through the side of the battery tube. If done right, the tube can be legoed with a Q8, removing a “cell” chamber (compared to the Q8 tube with four cells) and replacing it with a “charger” chamber in-built in the lantern’s battery tube.

Interesting night earlier with story.
We have a power failure at around 6 pm and has been out most of the night until now. Instead of running to the garage to start up the noisy generator, the first lantern of choice ( out of dozens of lanterns i have) is the prototype BLF Lantern. I hung it on the dining room ceiling fan to light up the whole room, (on high mode) My neighbor & his wife from across the street was visiting for dinner, & they were fascinated with the lantern. From out side through the window it looked like we have the ceiling light on as normal. My neighbor asked where he could buy 8 or 10 of them for their cottage when they have their beach parties, I told them it does not exist yet as a production model, and had to explain to him the whole BLF project from start to finish. He even wanted to buy the prototype, as he said its compact size, output, color tint, and practicality with the built in charger puts all his other battery operated lanterns to shame. Basically we have interested buyers now from outside the BLF forum, indicating how this lantern could be a big hit with the general public, camping groups, cottagers, and remote locations without power. So we all enjoyed our dinner cooked on a propane stove with the BLF prototype lantern lighting the room until the power came back on 5 hours later. :sunglasses:

I would like to be added to the interested list.

Please add me for a second one….thanks

one for me too. thanks