Looking to HIRE Someone to Make Me a Custom Flashlight

[Tom_Tom]

If you are an Entomologist, then perhaps you already have used some such kit.

Huge output will probably not get you any better results, and you will still have to lure them into your funnels somehow, rather than blinding them.

Set up more, more modest ones, and spread them around.

Some UK links to consider, perhaps not applicable to your environment, I don’t know it, but bigger is not always better.

http://www.mothscount.org/text/86/equipment_and_where_to_get_it.html

Build Your Own LED Moth Trap - guest blog by Paul Palmer

40W Actinic Bulb (For Moth Traps)

Butterfly Conservation - Sussex Branch - PAGE TITLE

No, LEDS don’t compare to these powerful bulbs. If any do, I’d know about it. And we try to catch, study and release, rather than just lure them into a killing jar.

Then I could talk to you about bat detectors, DIY best. Fascinating, even if we never touch them (not allowed without a licence), just lovely to know that they are out there, and they do seem to know where they are still safe. Often just turn it on at bedtime and go to sleep listening.

Enjoy.

[DavidEF]

Oh yeah, I meant to add: Welcome to BLF! I hope after you get this project built, you find some reason(s) to stick around.

[pinkpanda3310 (Pinky)]

@DavidEF

As far as getting the massive output of lumens, Dale (DB Custom) could do it. He often builds insanely bright lights. There are others as well, such as Texas_Ace, who was already named. Also, right now there are already “stock” flashlights that reach well over 20,000 lumens. So reaching the desired output is not a problem at all really from a technical standpoint.

Run time would be a matter of having enough battery power. I don’t think “normal” cylindrical Li-Ion cells are going to be practical. A couple of Deep cycle lead-acid batteries might do it. Or the Tesla Power Wall. Or even a gasoline-powered generator, if you don’t mind the noise. You need around 150 watts per hour (or more, depending on the actual emitters used).

As for producing the desired spectrum of light wavelengths, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure that out either, but an engineer would be able to figure it out more quickly than most of us. There are some really smart guys around BLF and even some Engineers.

Someone like BLF member maukka could test the finished light to confirm that it covers the desired spectrum evenly. He could also test that it produces the lumens output desired. He has some very nice testing equipment.

I hope you get it done. I’d like to see the result!

Are there lights that can sustain 20k lumens without thermal issues?

[DavidEF]

@pinkpanda3310

Are there lights that can sustain 20k lumens without thermal issues?

Probably not any that are on the market in stock form. But I really don’t know. Acebeam has the X70-GT that is fan cooled and has a top output of 90,000 lumens (for a little while). It could possibly do fairly well with 20,000 lumens. It would run out of power long before three hours, though. Modern LED streetlights produce tens of thousands of lumens for all night long, so the heat issue has to be solvable, even without active cooling.

Edit: Just now read the thread about the Acebeam X70-GT saying it is fake. Sorry. :person_facepalming:

[pinkpanda3310 (Pinky)]

@CathyApgar

Is portability still going to be troublesome, in terms of wheelbarrows full of batteries?

Not really. This box contains 25 of the mentioned 18650 size batteries. You’ll get slightly better power density (power to weight ratio) with lipo’s.

[pinkpanda3310 (Pinky)]

@DavidEF

@pinkpanda3310

Are there lights that can sustain 20k lumens without thermal issues?

Probably not any that are on the market in stock form. But I really don’t know. Acebeam has the X70-GT that is fan cooled and has a top output of 90,000 lumens (for a little while). It could possibly do fairly well with 20,000 lumens. It would run out of power long before three hours, though. Modern LED streetlights produce tens of thousands of lumens for all night long, so the heat issue has to be solvable, even without active cooling.

So a X70-GT with an external battery pack is plausible…

[DavidEF]

@pinkpanda3310

@DavidEF

@pinkpanda3310

Are there lights that can sustain 20k lumens without thermal issues?

Probably not any that are on the market in stock form. But I really don’t know. Acebeam has the X70-GT that is fan cooled and has a top output of 90,000 lumens (for a little while). It could possibly do fairly well with 20,000 lumens. It would run out of power long before three hours, though. Modern LED streetlights produce tens of thousands of lumens for all night long, so the heat issue has to be solvable, even without active cooling.

So a X70-GT with an external battery pack is plausible…

Sorry, the Acebeam X70-GT turns out to be a fake. But, it is still definitely possible to do something like 20,000 lumens for three hours if heat is managed properly and power supply is large enough.

[CathyApgar]

You guys have all been so nice to me. Thanks for the warm welcome!

[pinkpanda3310 (Pinky)]

How about a series of grow lights with different wavelength emitters to get the proposed spectrum? They could be modified to run off an external battery. Size might become an issue though if like 6 of them were needed.

100W Waterproof Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Double Head Hangable COB Plant...

Thinking about it now, Tom Tom could be right. Another type of bulb could be better since there would be less need for thermal considerations. I really don’t know much about the light spectrum though.

[CathyApgar]

@pinkpanda3310

How about a series of grow lights with different wavelength emitters to get the proposed spectrum? They could be modified to run off an external battery. Size might become an issue though if like 6 of them were needed.

100w waterproof full spectrum led grow light double head hangable cob plant lamp 110/220v Sale - Banggood.com

Thinking about it now, Tom Tom could be right. Another type of bulb could be better since there would be less need for thermal considerations. I really don’t know much about the light spectrum though.

They say that light puts out “LED Wavelength: 300-830nm” which would fit my needs very well. However, there’s the brightness issue.

[itsonlyme]

How remote is the location where you will use this light? Reason I ask is if it is remote, 20,000 lumens seems excessive.
I pulled in at a remote fuel stop in Outback Australia. That place was crawling with flying insects and it wasn’t that brightly lit but as it was the only light source, insects were attracted there

[CathyApgar]

@itsonlyme

How remote is the location where you will use this light? Reason I ask is if it is remote, 20,000 lumens seems excessive.
I pulled in at a remote fuel stop in Outback Australia. That place was crawling with flying insects and it wasn’t that brightly lit but as it was the only light source, insects were attracted there

You know, that’s a really good point. I think you’re right. I’d still like it plenty bright, but I hadn’t thought of that. There ARE geniuses here!

[DavidEF]

@CathyApgar

@itsonlyme

How remote is the location where you will use this light? Reason I ask is if it is remote, 20,000 lumens seems excessive.
I pulled in at a remote fuel stop in Outback Australia. That place was crawling with flying insects and it wasn’t that brightly lit but as it was the only light source, insects were attracted there

You know, that’s a really good point. I think you’re right. I’d still like it plenty bright, but I hadn’t thought of that. There ARE geniuses here!

I’ve always had the philosophy that it’s better to have more light available than you think you’ll need, and dim it down to the level you want.

[CathyApgar]

@DavidEF

@CathyApgar

@itsonlyme

How remote is the location where you will use this light? Reason I ask is if it is remote, 20,000 lumens seems excessive.
I pulled in at a remote fuel stop in Outback Australia. That place was crawling with flying insects and it wasn’t that brightly lit but as it was the only light source, insects were attracted there

You know, that’s a really good point. I think you’re right. I’d still like it plenty bright, but I hadn’t thought of that. There ARE geniuses here!

I’ve always had the philosophy that it’s better to have more light available than you think you’ll need, and dim it down to the level you want.

Me too!

[Lightbringer]

@CathyApgar

Looking to HIRE Someone to Make Me a Custom Flashlight

pouf! You’re a custom flashlight…

@CathyApgar

Well, like I said, I’m a total ignoramus about these things. I really don’t know about lumens and watts and volts and all that stuff. All I know is, I need an extremely high output light in the range that insects are attracted to.

Or you could just stand me in the middle of a parking lot. For some reason bugs just love me. I’m like sugar to them… :confounded:

@CathyApgar

So, I hope someone can build the thing, even though I know so little. I am used to being told my wish list is unrealistic, so if it is truly unrealistic, I’ll compromise.

There’s a Nitecore Big Honkin’ Light Panel that could probably do the trick, but it’s pricey. Probably need cool-white or the usual colors that are bug-magnets.

What color were you looking for, specifically? Any idea? Or just Whatever Color Attracts Bugs?

[Lightbringer]

@CathyApgar

That guy made a super bright one. Just with different LEDs.

Something like this:

Water Cooled 72,000 Lumen LED Flashlight!!

[Enderman]

Bugs are very attracted to UV (which is why a lot of fly traps use it to attach them) but that can be dangerous to human eyes.
If this is to be used in a dark area at night then a regular white LED (which emits over a wide range of wavelengths) should be good enough to attract a bunch of insects.

A COB LED is ideal for this use case because you don’t need to have a ton of smaller LEDs, and if you get a very powerful COB and drive it at like 50% you can get very high efficiency (150lm/W or more)

[DavidEF]

@Enderman

Bugs are very attracted to UV (which is why a lot of fly traps use it to attach them) but that can be dangerous to human eyes.
If this is to be used in a dark area at night then a regular white LED (which emits over a wide range of wavelengths) should be good enough to attract a bunch of insects.

A COB LED is ideal for this use case because you don’t need to have a ton of smaller LEDs, and if you get a very powerful COB and drive it at like 50% you can get very high efficiency (150lm/W or more)

…in which case, you’d only need a ~400wH battery to power it for three hours.

[Tom_Tom]

Here is a specialist UK supplier, for stuff that works:

http://www.pwbelg.clara.net/mercury/index.html

The gold standard is a high powered mercury vapour bulb, 125 watts upward, but these have been banned in the EU for over 3 years now, so old stocks are getting low here.

See Moth Traps - Special Offers for current special offers.

In the field, “Moth ers” will power these, in maybe multiple traps, using a small generator, if mains is not available.

They also sell specialist UV LED bulbs, actinic tubes and compact fluorescents, DIY kits, etc. etc.

Worth taking a look to see what the specialists are using.

See also https://www.angleps.com/electrics.php who are now restricting customers to only two replacement MV bulbs per order, as stocks run low.

[Lexel]

@pinkpanda3310

20,000 lumens for 3 hours !!!

That’s something very specialty and like expensive if done right.

Good luck with this endeavour

this means water cooled System with battery and radiator in a backpack and some sort of connection with cables and water hose