I had a dorcy cyber light that got run over by a minivan. It actually helped up pretty well. The batteries and led were left intact. The thing I'm wondering about is the led. It's a Cree x lamp xp something, whatever the dorcy cyber light uses. And, one day I got bored, so I made a contraption that used this. It involved a lot of duct tape, cardboard, and a 9 volt battery. But, while duct tape is amazing, it doesnt hold up that well over time. I don't care about tightening the beam AT ALL. I just want it for pure flood :). So, heres my question.
What's a super low cost way to mount this led? I'm talking household stuff. I can solder also.
Sorry I didn't describe it better. All I have is the led on the heatsink itself. And a variety of batteries. I'm just doing this for fun also, it's not super important.
Contraption is a very broad notion. What are you trying to make? A light that you'll carry around or just something that shines? However cardboard is no good for any type of electrical devices.
If you have an old CPU heatsink from a PC you can mount the LED star onto that. If you don't plan on using a driver and are planning to run it in direct drive then don't use anything more than 3 x AA cells for 4.5 volts. 3 rechargeable 1.2v would yield 3.6v which would be even more optimal.
If you can salvage the driver you would be even better off. Get a cheap battery pack and a switch from radio shack. Use an old coffee can, drill a hole in the side for your switch and toss the battery pack in the can. Using metal ductwork strapping to suspend it, mount your heatsink and LED flush to the top of the can. Stable on almost any surface, rough or flat, and unobtrusive when not being used.
Everyone likes coffee cans and you can set it anywhere for an emergency flood light in the event of a power outage, or just to set a romantic mood for an evening cup of coffee with your sweetie.
Look in/monitor stuff going into trash over the next week. Look around in the kitchen for unused glasses or tupperware, nearly empty containers. Maybe something like an old small peanut butter jar to make a lantern?
Maybe an old incan flashlight you could mod to led?
$4 for one of those 6v floating incan floodlights for waterproof storage was a great idea someone posted here recently.
On further thought, mount the LED and heatsink an inch below the opening of the can. If you have a clear or white plastic lid to the can you can use it as a diffuser. Drill a few holes in the can for air flow… some around the perimeter near the bottom for cool air to enter and some just above the level of the heatsink for the hot air to exit.