I have to say, I like the idea to build an affordable lantern for people who can’t afford or need the LT1. Here are some of my thoughts what we could/should change:
- using a plastic body sounds resonable
- only one 4000K Led, hopefully we can afford to keep the good cri
- simple 4 mode driver with only 3 or 5 7135 chips
- keep the 18650 battery format. Basic 2200/2600mah batteries cost less than 1$ when bought in bulk, but putting them in a battery pack might be good idea so that uninformed people can’t tamper with them. But that battery pack should still be easily replacable.
If we want to build a model for use in third would countries we should consider replacing the fragile usb port with a good old 12V DC barrel plug jack which would allow the lantern to be charged from car batteries which are often used in cheap solar installations.
Have to disagree about the car batteries being often used, or even common, in remote 3rd world country villages. Also the lantern is not going to be very portable if it’s tied to being charged from a lead battery rather than a solar charger.
It would be a toss-up for removable batteries. Major issue is letting literally stone age knowledge used to poke around in the device.
I don’t have a good feeling for what might be built. But I do think that an approach I mentioned before should be given some thought. It may just be a bad idea, but—
The device should be able to be used as a
1 - needs to be able to be focused (i.e., generate a useful beam) as a flashlight
2 - has to do area illumination for use in the house or some appropriate gathering, needs an attachable shade, perhaps user made shade if we provide an attachment point
3 - stores power from solar or other source
4 - can charge a phone
5 - water/dirt proof
6 - very minimal cost for electronics - not high end anything
I see modularity if possible. A waterproof box with the electronics an batteries. Maybe using this funny screw heads to keep people out. Though this may just foster an urge to beat the case open. A USB or some such for the solar and phone charging. Maybe two ports. + solar. Maybe 1 port and have to switch purpose. Or box where the user can use cables to plug in the light, or the solar, and the phone. Box would have everything active in the system. All else plugs in.
How about a set of cheap magnets to hold the lighting piece to the box. Rotate one way; flashlight. Other way lamp.
All off the top of my head. Just some directions to think about and break out of the thinking Q8 mode.
Hmmm… Is your comparison of your “too many 4xAA things” made with good reliable brand AA Lithium Primaries compared to a good reliable brand AA NiMH Rechargeable??
That’s terrific! With a family member having been in the Peace Corps, you’ve got access to some useful inside info on their needs. The most important thing will be cost control… so agencies like Waka Waka would be great to leverage for their insight. They might be interested in partnering to some degree even beyond just facilitating the purchasing mechanism (their web portal).
On the side reflector department, how about some sort of tissue sock/sleeve you pull on the lantern? Part of it could be a fishnet like transparent section, and it would fold to nothing in a bag - or pulled down on the battery tube when not used…
She still has contacts in Uganda and she and a bunch of ex-volunteers meet all the time just to hang out. My plan was to have her try out the LT when I get mine and maybe even bring it to one of their get-togethers. It’s amazing how unprepared some of the volunteers are when they go to their first assignments. I sent her 20 or so flashlights and batteries to give to her comrades who didn’t think to bring one over. They could buy flashlights and batteries in Uganda but most were cheap plastic ones with filament bulbs.
She sold off her solar panels and Eneloops for a pretty penny when she left :money_mouth_face:
Power was out at my home for over 39 hours between Saturday early morning and Sunday afternoon. Between my FW3A, Convoy S2, and Nitecore P12GTS, the mrs and I did OK for light, but I’m really looking forward to the release of the LT1 as the wide area light would have made it a bit easier to cope with the lack of electricity. Side note, check your lights often, I found the Mini MagLite I had for 5 years had died on Saturday.
