Ok, let me just throw my hat into the ring for the first time. Don’t know yet if this is a good idea since it’s pretty uncertain whether I’ll finish this project at all - perhaps because it’s not feasible due to the limited tools I own, because of lack of time or money or just because of missing skills.
Two events happened in the near past: I’ve been camping with wife and kids (first time after decades) - and I got my first 3d printer.
During camping I missed a lantern which I could place on the camping table, e. g. for reading or playing games. I don’t like the common camping lights since they are still too bright in the center which causes dazzling, I’m pretty sensitive to that. Whenever possible I prefer indirect lighting.
I did some rough tests with my Q8 and some ugly parts printed with my new 3d printer and the result turned out pretty well.
So the following project idea grew in my mind. This sketches are pretty rough, quickly created with Tinkercad. Lots of details are still missing.
Some (intended) technical facts:
- 3 white LEDs and 3 red or orange LEDs arranged in a circle,
pointing to the retractable reflection shield on top of the light.
- powered by 2 protected 18650 cells,
- probably USB charging.
Casing will be 3d printed, so I’m joining the machined category, I guess. There is a copper or aluminium disk in the middle of the casing which protrudes a couple of millimeters to help spread the heat - which is hopefully not too much since this light will not be driven hard. As white LEDs I intend to use 3 of the beautiful Nichia 219B out of my hopefully soon arriving ROT66 (I have a special idea for the ROT66 where I don’t need all of these LEDs). Don’t know yet if I finally add the 3 color LEDs but I think it will be nice to mix them with the white LEDs for a comfortable tint in the night or to simulate candle flicker. I could even use XM-L RGBW LEDs which enables me to add disco light (my son loves this idea).
The casing will probably be made of ABS filament, since it’s more resistant to heat than PLA and can be sanded easily to achieve a smoother surface. Have seen the planned telescope system for the reflection shield in my selfie stick, hopefully I’ll get this working with my 3d printer as well. Mounting points are planned for top and bottom of the casing, in order to hang this lantern to the ceiling. If possible I’ll make the reflection shield removable in order to have the option of direct lighting when required. Don’t know yet if I’ll add magnets since I probably don’t have a usage case for them.
The LED boards will be mounted to the metal disc, glued or soldered, don’t know yet. Still wondering if I’ll use reflectors (have a couple of spare S2+ reflectors left after triple mods) or optics. Probably narrow optics are better since I want as much light as possible to hit the reflection shield. They shall sit pretty deep in the casing, I don’t want to see direct light from the LEDs from the side.
The reflection shield will probably be kind of a cone in order to spread the light around. Unfortunately it has - when 3d printed - steps which negate the intended purpose since their surface mostly has a right angle to the beam. I might sand this cone (or smoothen it with acetone) and cover it with reflection paint for better light distribution.
If I find the time I might even design a fitting driver board, otherwise I’ll just use one of my existing ones.
Finally I have another nice gimmick in my mind for this lantern which I’ll reveal later when I know for sure it will be realized.
