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

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.

this is the exact reason behind having a built in USB bank feature with the charging in feature. with a 10 or 15 watt solar panel it can keep your phone going and the darkness away.

I forgot to mention that the Active-Semi EA2813QY development module using the reference design is available from Mouser, if you wanted to evaluate it or build into a prototype. It costs about £50. It would also give a good start for PCB layout.

https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Active-Semi/EA2813QY?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsGzNf1qgY4ZFSZVwaimi%2Fdew%252bZ2JQtifY%3D

I would still like to have the power bank feature, even if I’m not likely to use it.
It’s not like it’s going to hurt anyone having it, realistically it’s also not going to drive up the price noticably compared to just a charging cicuit. Granted, it may complicate the driver firmware in case it needs to be configured from the MCU, but that’s a small price to pay for something useful that adds value to the light.

Please sign me up for one! I created an account for this, so please forgive me if I’ve missed something.

Welcome to BLF lexvegas :beer: , I have added you at number 924 on the interest list.

EDIT, corrected number from 922 to 924, sorry for the confusion.

I thought my 2nd and 3rd lantern was 921 and 922 on the list? Did I miss something?