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

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

Nice DBSAR!
I agree.

Will update list later!

When there are four cells and ample space in the head it makes no sense to make a tube with one charging cell.
As it looks now one can use the led and charging/power bank at the same time

Please sign me up for 1. Might change for 2 when we will know the price.

I would be in for one right now.
Price is always the big factor.
Would also make a good light for working under a car and engine compartment.

Please add me to the list :]

Interesting and great your prototy is at this state of design already :slight_smile:
What about a modular design later, where several components can be switched or composited as the reqirements of the user change?

Like replaceable electronics (with/without charging function, USB output), LED (CCT, CRI and luminous flux) and battery compartment (1/2/4 cells, 18650/AA).

as the lantern prototype is now it can run from 1, 2, 3 or 4 cells. ( as they run in parallel and with the lower amperage & more efficient driver set up it will be no problems running the lantern even on one cell. (will just have lower run times.

Indeed, there is tons of space above the driver in the mid-section to add the charger & USB bank electronics. And if the produdction model is set up with the charger isolated separately from the driver it can be charged while running. (been testing that with the prototype for a couple weeks now.

If I read the OP correctly, the USB charger you have in the prototype charges each cell at .25 Amps. How many hours will it take to fully charge the four depleted cells, say 3.2 Volts?

I once charged a depleted 18650 cell at .5A and is seemed to take half a day to complete the charge. I love the idea of built it charging, but .25A seems to low for 18650 cells. That is what I charge my little 10440 cells at.

The TP4056 I used is a 1 amp model, thus giving roughly 250mA to each cell, (four in series) a 2 amp built in charger would be faster, but either way will depend on how far you run the cells down to and the capacity of the cells. With 2 amp wall charger I charged the lantern in 7 hours from 3.6 volts to full with 2400maH cells.

I think that a 2 amp built in charger would be better for sure. At what point would the heat generated by an internal charger in a closed light become an issue?