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

Nice DBSAR!
I agree.

Will update list later!

When there are four cells and ample space in the head it makes no sense to make a tube with one charging cell.
As it looks now one can use the led and charging/power bank at the same time

Please sign me up for 1. Might change for 2 when we will know the price.

I would be in for one right now.
Price is always the big factor.
Would also make a good light for working under a car and engine compartment.

Please add me to the list :]

Interesting and great your prototy is at this state of design already :slight_smile:
What about a modular design later, where several components can be switched or composited as the reqirements of the user change?

Like replaceable electronics (with/without charging function, USB output), LED (CCT, CRI and luminous flux) and battery compartment (1/2/4 cells, 18650/AA).

as the lantern prototype is now it can run from 1, 2, 3 or 4 cells. ( as they run in parallel and with the lower amperage & more efficient driver set up it will be no problems running the lantern even on one cell. (will just have lower run times.

Indeed, there is tons of space above the driver in the mid-section to add the charger & USB bank electronics. And if the produdction model is set up with the charger isolated separately from the driver it can be charged while running. (been testing that with the prototype for a couple weeks now.

If I read the OP correctly, the USB charger you have in the prototype charges each cell at .25 Amps. How many hours will it take to fully charge the four depleted cells, say 3.2 Volts?

I once charged a depleted 18650 cell at .5A and is seemed to take half a day to complete the charge. I love the idea of built it charging, but .25A seems to low for 18650 cells. That is what I charge my little 10440 cells at.

The TP4056 I used is a 1 amp model, thus giving roughly 250mA to each cell, (four in series) a 2 amp built in charger would be faster, but either way will depend on how far you run the cells down to and the capacity of the cells. With 2 amp wall charger I charged the lantern in 7 hours from 3.6 volts to full with 2400maH cells.

I think that a 2 amp built in charger would be better for sure. At what point would the heat generated by an internal charger in a closed light become an issue?

2A * 5V = 10W (rounding up)

Thats not extreme, but it isnā€™t insignificant either. Iā€™m not an expert, but my gut says you would need that to be heatsinked to be reliable long term. I bet if we asked someone like HJK he would be able to give a good idea.

What about the option to add an optional wireless remote control&status modul (bluetooth) there?

Interested, add me to the list

Can you please add me for 2? Thanks.

What would be the purpose?

Maybe some are worried this wonā€™t be costly enough or that it will be too rugged? :slight_smile:

Add me in too!

Iā€™m interested, this seems like an awesome lantern in the making. please add me to the interest list

I wonder if using multiple emitters would be beneficialā€¦ not for greater lumen output, but for increased efficiency.

If you design the lantern to use a 20mm mcpcb, then those who want can swap it out for a triple or quad led configuration.

But youā€™ve probably already thought of that, huh? :sunglasses:

Bluetooth!! Forget that extra complexity/cost.