Texas_Ace BLF Calibrated Lumen tube / Sphere No math skills needed - Several spheres still available

I have considered this as well but it would have to remain attached at all times, the calibration would change too much to be easily compensated for when it was added or removed I think.

Installing it on top would make it top heavy and I don’t think it would sit flat anymore.

Using a 6” to 3-4” 90* bend is another option I am thinking about but talk about expensive!

I will see what the specialty place has, if they don’t have it, then I don’t think I will be getting it.

Yeah, thats why I stuck with the 3.5” myself, it was just not worth the higher cost for the handful of lights that would need it.

Although I was looking at home depot before, I hope this plumbing store will have a better selection and pricing on the large parts.

Put me on the list for one.
Thanks for doing this!

Definitely interested!

Added!

So is that a request to be added to the list or just an “i’m watching this closely and thinking hard” post?

Please put me on the list for one also.

Interested so put me on the list. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just ship the diffusers and meter then we can get the pvc long radius streets and the reducer ourselves?

No, because they have to be assembled in a very particular way, then calibrated to TA’s meter (through “magic”) to give accurate results. Like he said before, even the orientation of the diffuser panels can alter the readings.

I am guessing that once he has finished construction and made all the final adjustments he will glue the pieces together to lock them into place. Perhaps with the exception of the 90 that the flashlight head goes into. He can mark the position that the 2 pieces need to be, then rotate the end 90° so it can be boxed up flat. When you get it, you rotate it back into position and be back at accurate readings.

That is my understanding of it.

Keep in mind that even different batches of pvc pipe from the same company can exist which might throw off the readings. The white pigment could differ slightly, the surface finish could differ slightly, etc… By TA doing it his way, he can compensate for all this.

Thanks Jason for the explanation. Didn’t realize he has to calibrate each setup.

If you will ship it to Sweden I’l take one/Micael

I’m in.

A calibrated light light box built by someone I trust for $100? You bet!

Thanks, TA, for doing this…

John-Galt

Got a question. I know ambient light gets through schedule 40 pvc. When doing any lumen check should the room be dark? Or does it matter?

I don’t think he means 5-6x the price of the entire unit…. just for that opening piece where the head goes. Correct me if I’m wrong….if so, $5-600 dollars is very expensive.
But if it’s about $50 more, id buy it.

In for one if @ $100 shipped
Thx

Keith

Yes, there will most likely be some calibration needed on a per unit basis based on my past spheres. Once I have built this batch I will have a much better idea of if making a kit would be reasonable.

When I have all my work lights on my desk on the lumen meter reads 0 or maybe 1 lumen, the 1 lumen is usually getting through the opening. ~1 lumen is not something I personally care about.

I spent the morning getting quotes for PVC from every place I could find.

Lets just say the price on the larger PVC is stupid expensive, I saw several pieces they wanted $200+ for!

I still need to figure out all the costs, they were higher then expected, I was hoping to get a discount buying in bulk but it seems that is not possible with only ~100 pieces ordered.

The raw material cost for the 4” is about 2.5x the price (including extra costs for the diffuser sheet and centering rings). So the 4” version would most likely end up around $150+.

They don’t have 5” but I did find 6” at the last place I went, it is closer to 7x the price of the 3” and would need some extra pieces to work adding more costs.

It would be AT LEAST $200-225+ for 6” plus MUCH higher shipping costs. Should I even spend the time adding it up more exact?

Another issues is actually getting the PVC in quantity at all, some of these pieces are hard to find and would have to be special ordered. They said it will be between 1-3 weeks at most of the places I went for this quantity. The lowes had only sold 36 of these in the entire last year! I am looking at buying ~100 in a single purchase lol.

I will be busy most of today but I will try to get the final details tomorrow and will most likely start accepting payments this weekend once I confirm everything.

It looks like the 3.5” version will indeed be $100, the only question is if I will have to charge for shipping or partial shipping.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Spears-P302-030-3-PVC-DWV-Street-90-Elbow

You can order in bulk at all three stores. You should be able to get them for less than 4 bucks apiece.

The 4 inch is about twice as much
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Spears-P302-040-4-PVC-DWV-Street-90-Elbow