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

I’m interested if the price is kept reasonably low.

Anxiously waiting to see more of this prototype.

-Garry

I have thought about building a lantern before, and in my design I was not planning a driver at all, it had a rotary switch with several postions,for every position another resistor was switched in series of the led, to get the modes.

I post this just to be aware that this option exists, not because I think it is a better idea.

You could use an encoder switch w/knob to flip between modes forwards & backwards. You still need to process with a micro, and because of the pins required, could put it in the 14 pin variety.

Here is the switch I used in last years BLF contest, it is one of the smallest ones out there: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/sensors-transducers/encoders/1966131?k=PEC09%20Series

Also very interested.

i have modded many of my smaller lanterns in that way using resistors for the modes and multi-positions switches, but all were on D, C, AA or AAA lanterns. in this case for 18650 LiIon cells i prefer to have the low-battery voltage safety feature of the 105 driver in case non-protected cells are used.

Interested

Interested, as well.

I’m interested, maybe even for several units. 18650 batteries, aluminum body and parallel configuration is a must for me. Would you willing to consider a micro USB built in charger?

Built in charger is possible, ( as in a TP4056 type charger) but charging four 18650’s in parallel with a TP4056 would take most of a day to charge all four cells. A built-in charger would add cost, but it is possible as the cells are all in parallel, and i can add the TP4056 to the circuit behind the on/off switch before the driver. (meaning the TP charger circuit is separate from the lantern driver circuit.

I am glad that you are going to consider adding a built in charger. To me it doesn’t matter how long it is going to take to charge four 18650’s or even that is going to add cost (shouldn’t be too much). It is simply a great thing to have that option. Nowadays everybody carries some kind of micro USB charger, power bank or a solar charger and to have an option would be very useful. It doesn’t have to charge batteries completely during the day, but it is surely going to add a few extra Ampere hours and maybe that is all you need to get through the night.

A 1000ma TP4056 will give an average of 250ma per cell if charging all four in parallel, (or take four times as long charging the four cells as compared to one cell so to speak) I have tested a TP4056 charger using Solar panels, and i found that a minimum of a 7-watt solar panel at the 5 volt USB range was required to work a TP4056 to charge a single 18650, ( my original 5-watt panel could not put out enough power to run it, but the 7-watt did.) but never tested them charging four at the same time on the folding USB 7-watt solar panel.

Interested; I’ m in!! :wink:

My foldable solar panel is 14W, and I’m sure many people carry around bigger ones. A solar charge option makes a lot of sense for a lantern.

interested , price the deciding factor.

Im very interested.

I’m glad your heading up the design. I’ve always been a fan of your work and I’m sure whatever you come up with will be very well thought out.

So far I like things you mentioned in your first post.
1-4 x 18650’s in parallel srk body
Warm hi cri
Down firing

Suggestions that sound good and may be doable but I’m not sure will be needed and may add too much complexity
Separate red led
Usb power out port
Micro usb built in charging

UPDATES in the OP. Feb,21,2016 :slight_smile:

Funny but true story …Sad that people think high high and higher come without cost . for years I’ve run two convoy s2 xml5c 2100’s with diffuser film on medium over our off-grid poker table … only to see someone has decided to kick them up to high because two mediums are not as good as two highs . money for nothin’ and your chicks are free …"lumens "

Like the idea /hate the host

Looking great so far! I especially like the countersunk & chamfered switch.
Keep it up!

I should warn you… At least for me, this may be progressing from “interested depending on price” to “hurry up and take my money”. :wink:

Any chance this will be ready for this summer’s camping season? :cool:

That would depend on how fast Krono can negotiate a deal with a manufacturer ( if possible) to build them once i get the prototype done and tested.

Adding some thoughts-

Cost is the deciding factor for me no matter the appearance or extras built in. Given how little I’ll use it I simply can’t justify a high cost. That’s why I don’t own a M43 and probably never will :frowning:

Perhaps extras like a charging board or holders for primary cells could be offered separately or as a build option so that more folks will want one of these. I know that you don’t get what you don’t pay for but let’s keep the “Budget” part of BLF going strong!

Phil