Update. I have pieced most of this thing (!?) together, and I am reasonably ok with where it is at. Seems to punch out a pretty good and useful beam , although of course I just want it to be more powerful hehe.
After seeing your work I’m about ready to print out your comment and frame it
I might have to update it to a better driver and better heat management some time in the future. It seems to be ok at the moment but if I’m going to ramp it up I might need more serious cooling.
I hope to have it all cleaned up and finished by tomorrow night.
Congrats on the build! Most buck drivers can operate over a broad range of input voltage and will deliver whatever voltage the emitter needs automatically. There should a good number of buck drivers that can handle automotive voltages and deliver 6 amps to your emitter.
The HX-1175b is pretty robust. I don't know who has the best price these days. Here is the first link I found. If you don't want the 5 modes (L, M, H, Strobe, SOS), you can jumper the PWM pin to the MCU's VCC pin for single mode. I don't recall the stock current that it is designed to deliver. I think it's about 7.5 amps.
There are probably some even lower cost options, if you don't mind a rectangular shaped driver (which it appears you would have no problem using in your build). I'm just not aware of which ones will work for you at this moment as I have not shopped for buck drivers in some time now.
Best wishes on your driver quest.
EDIT: Here are some builds using the HX-1175b delivering various amps MT-G2 or multiple 3v emitters in series:
agro i just really love the light ot of my TK35UE …. I wanted something similar again. the only other thing i was looking at was the 70.2 because of the GT70. might change or ot at some point.
ender… yes … UNLIMITED POWER!
thanks for the info kame, ill have to try as few things i think.
Nice. I believe Enderman has used one of Lexel’s buck drivers for a high-power build.
As others have said, inexpensive ebay constant current buck converters should work, but I’d be a little worried about spikes at turn-on. Whatever you do, you’ll want to derate from the sellers claim. Ie, if you want 10A, look for something closer to 20A.
getting towards finishing the first iteration of my spotlight build, already dreaming of another bigger and better beast.
enderman’s x10m candela reflector is probably what i would call perfect, shining the led face down n at a shallow reflector. the special reflector is not in a price range im ready to go for right now though.
I’d like to hack something together a little more home brew style if i can.
most recently im thinking of a 3d printed buck of the reflector parabola, and thermo forming some 10mm thick plexi to create the lens, and then vacuum / thermo forming on to that with mylar space blanket for the reflective surface.
not the strongest but it would have to be cheap, and i think you could get pretty good results.
All finished. here’s a link to pt 3 of the build for anyone interested. spot light build pt 3, finished. - Album on Imgur
I think I’ll call it a success, I’m looking forward to building something with more punch next though… I think the bug might be biting.
Great build! I’m expecting delivery of a couple Seanna fixtures next week; your build has me pumped up to start mine. Now just a matter of which LED to use…