*+UPDATES,April,16,2018 -
So with the help of fellow member here on BLF, RobertB and Miranda of Thorfire, we acquired a Q8 to use as a new prototype for the BLF lantern. it has been discussed before that building the lantern as compatible with the already awesome BLF Q8, will reduce costs especially if we work with Thorfire to build the production model, as they already have the blueprints and design criteria for the Q8.
i do need to talk to talk to the developers & designers of the Q8 driver, as it may be possible to use that driver for the lantern, if i can figure out how to reduce the maximum output amps on it maximum modes to around 1.2 amps, ( or even up to 1.5 ~ 1.7 amps to the LEDs then somehow have it step down either by timing, or wired remote temperature sensor mounted on the lantern head. As we all like the mode-groups & programming of the Q8, they woudl probably work great for the lantern too. (only issue is if that will cut costs down, and if we can add the charging input, (and possibly the USB powerbank feature)
So once i receive the Q8, it will be focused on as the prototype for the BLF lantern. I hope the team from the Q8 development can chime in here with help & suggestions.
I have already spoke to Miranda of Thorfire on the thoughts of working with them to build the ultimate BLF lantern.+*
I hope i can talk with Tom-E on the driver before i decide to utilize the original Q8 driver as the lantern driver, ( if not we will have to go with the new complete design.
I’ve held off your far, but now that things are moving I have to admit I really want one of these. Put me on the list for 1, depending on price and release date.
If you just want to use (as close as possible) the Q8 driver design but lower the effective max output, the simplest thing might be to just replace the FET with a bank of five AMC7135 chips, and use the same firmware. You would then have a 5 + 1 driver instead of the Fet + 1 driver the Q8 has now. If the more stable 350mA chips are used, the max output would be 5x 350mA which is 1.75A total. If you wanted to save one chip and the space it takes up, the driver code would have to be modified just a little to use both banks (four plus one for a total of five) together in the highest mode.
By the way, Tom E isn’t the only one that could make the (very minor) adjustments needed to the code for this modification. Texas_Ace or ToyKeeper could easily do it, I think, as well as others. There are also several who could draw up the physical layout for the modded PCB.
That could work if we went that way. We woudl need to talk to DEL & Tom-E first to make sure they are ok with their driver being incorporated in the lantern project, and their thoughts on ideas of the programming, etc. Toykeeper has made some good suggestions too on this. I just thought since Thorfire has already built the Q8 with that driver, it could make it easier to adapt fro use in the BLF lantern project.
Code should be easy to adapt. I already abstracted out most of the hardware details so UIs can be ported by simply changing some bits in the underlying library.
The hard part is designing a driver with all the desired capabilities. DEL already did a lot of the work though, and hopefully he’ll be willing to finish the rest.
I sure hope ToyKeeper’s candle and sunset modes will be incorporated. Those little details will take this lantern, which is already going to be amazing, over the top.
Definitely true. it needs to be user friendly for general campers, travelers, emergency preparedness, Scouts groups, mariners, remote locations, expeditions, even under-developed locations where good, bright lighting is needed. This lantern with a USB charging input, added with a simple 10-watt foldable solar charger panel can be a infinitely sustainable light source for anywhere where thee is no lighting.
Yah, but shipping from the manufacturer by default in “muggle mode” should take care of that. I don’t se why the Q8 driver couldn’t be used pretty much as-is with just the physical change from a FET to a bank of a few 7135s and the Narsil or maybe Anduril firmware, including TK’s candle and thunderstorm modes, and set to “muggle mode” out of the box.
Agreed, I hope to hear back with some input from DEL & Tom-E ( and the other Q8 project team) on their input if it is ok to use & incorporate the Q8 driver in the BLF lantern, and if its possible to adapt changes to the driver for the lantern, As in lowering its peak output for continuous running, any alterations to the mode & groups, (with addition of ToyKeeper’s Candle & sunset-modes, ) and at least the addition of the USB input charging capability to charge the lantern’s cells. (and maybe ad the power-Bank feature if that is feasible or not)
As of right now once the Q8 mule for the lantern arrives, I will build the new prototype using the Q8 body, parts of the head, and its driver to get a working design to go from.
:+1: