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

The USB C connectors are supposed to be more significantly more durable than the predecessors. As rated by number of insertion/extractions before wear (the plug is designed to wear preferentially to the socket, as is the USB micro).

However my real world experience with my two devices is that the connectors soon become loose and wobbly, to the extent that I now often have to wiggle the connector a bit before a good connection is made. This particularly affects the data connection.

My Samsung Tab is utterly reliant on this connection, I have an external dongle that is used as a docking station to connect three standard USB devices (printer, external HDD, SD card reader, TV tuner, etc.) as well as a gigabit ethernet port to my home network. When the connection is playing up it is extremely frustrating, and data loss is a very real risk, particularly with the HDD and SD card.

I regret buying the Samsung Tab, I trusted that USB C was to be as reliable as advertised, but my experience has been quite the opposite. Even finding a dongle to use as a dock, that also passed back the power connection so the Tab could charge whilst in use, was an expensive and frustrating challenge.

My ’phone is less problematic, as it is primarily used just to charge it, but again, when I use it for a data connection it can be temperamental too.

DBSAR, I’ve had a quick look for powerbank ICs that are simple to use and not reliant on configuration by an MCU, the Active-Semi ACT28xx range looks promising.

In particular it appears to modulate the input current when charging “Accommodation for 10mA-3000mA input current” to suit the source capability. If so, that would be ideal for solar panel use, as well as adapting to low powered USB sockets etc, whilst making good use of high current chargers.

https://activeweb-rn0ur8xaybw.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/ACT2813_Application_Notes.pdf

Available, inexpensive, and the bill of materials seems as small as you could hope for.

https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Active-Semi/ACT2813QY-T?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsGzNf1qgY4ZB%2FS2SOEbB%252b7kuLvEY5gbTs%3D

Edit: datasheet: https://www.mouser.co.uk/datasheet/2/631/ACT2813_Datasheet-1291437.pdf

About charger you can contact Rayden , he study theme of charger and solar panel durind long time.

It seems he not visiting BLF , but still active on Fonarevka.ru

I have a 10 AH battery bank with integral solar panel for charging. It uses an ACT IC and works very well. Keeps my smartphone charged on backpacking trips (left in flight mode except for two 1 hour windows per day for friends and family to call me, or to collect texts and e-mail). Main use of the phone is for GPS navigation and mapping, which is still a significant power draw even in flight mode.

As well as having a puny LED torch built in, which is sufficient for campsite chores, once eyes are dark-adapted. The ’phone torch is much better, and of course I carry a proper one too (Olight S15 powered by AA alkaline if on a long walk)

It can also recharge my DSLR battery, though that flattens it and it then takes a couple of days to re-charge on solar.

My Type-C phone has got quite a bit of abuse with me fumbling and pulling the wire often at odd angles. After a year it’s still perfect. Micro-USB port would have serious issues after surviving that.

I’ve never had port issues, and I’m rough on things. However, the cables are another thing. My bedside cables use to last 3-9 months tops (normally closer to 3) with good quality cables (OEM, Anker, etc.). I’ve had my first USB C for 2 years now. I drop my phone while half asleep and that causes them not to make contact, or bend. The Type C just seem to be much stonger.

Considering how cheap adapters are for C/Micro and that I have cables of both types, I couldn’t care less about the integrated charging. I prefer to use an external charger anyway. The bigger issue for me would be cost.

Being realistic, this is going to have to cost at least as much as a Q8. More complicated mechanical construction, new parts to be engineered, injection moulding tools for the globe, and a new, more complicated driver/charger/powerbank circuit

Edit: to be designed, prototyped, tested, debugged, laid out, re-tested, signed off, then left to the manufacturer to re-implement with their choice of components, according to their buyers whim.

with extra connectors, extra machining of the head to fit them, potentially complex assembly and test. Then firmware integration. And it will be heavy.

There is the risk that this will be overtaken by smaller, lighter, cheaper models that are equally per-formant. At least one is already on the market.

I don’t recall this being so complicated from the beginning.

When I joined the list, I just wanted a reliable, good runtime, and no glare lantern. Along the way, it became a charger, campfire mode, dimming mode, program this, program that… what happened to KISS??

I’m not too keen on the charging/powerbank stuff either. As far as the UI goes, Anduril can be setup to be very simple.

Likewise. When you can buy a LiitoKala Lii - 402 charger/powerbank for £6.66, why would you bother trying to integrate it into the lantern ?

https://www.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_662178.html?wid=1433363

I also don’t need a powerbank or charger built in for my purposes but there are several legitimate reasons to want those features. After all, this is meant for camping… away from civilization. :wink:

And dont forget about the ballerina on the inside of the globe singing a lullaby……. :face_with_monocle:

Wanted to give it a try: Spent an hour making a new logo for the BLF L1 lantern. Tried to post the image here...never could make it work. So frustrating. I have read to tutorial...it looks so easy. My forum name is haunting me.
I have tried Flickr and google drive...both failed.

https://flic.kr/p/26FbbrJ

I also don’t need power bank and charger , I have ml-102 it is enough for outdoor.

Charger is more or less useful and simple.

Powerbank required large hole for usb A,powerful DC/Dc (we don’t want 0.5A powerbank , isn’t it?).
I don’t think it is good idea.

No power bank please

We all already have power banks I guess.
The idea is for low weight in mountain treks when each gram counts.

I like to have a power bank.
Or at least Charging the lamp.

Lets wait what the costs are.

So to take 400+g lamp it is good thing for mountain treks?But 22g ml-102 it is bad one?)
It is camping lamp. When weight is crusial , one takes only small headlamp.

This is true. The lantern will not likely be in a backpack. It will be in a tent, or in a camper, or in a car boot, or in a cabin, or used at home for outside and emergency lighting. Only a very small percentage of users will ever carry it in a backpack.

The power bank makes it a one stop solution for power outage or camping use, especially when combined with a folding solar panel.
It is well worth it in my book, adds far more than it takes away. Grab 2 items (lamp and panel) and you are good to go for sustainable power and light, or leave the panel at home if it is just a weekend. Store USB cables in the solar panel pockets and/or in a carry case for the lantern.