I have thought that’s applicable to both LT1v2 and LT1 Micro.
It would be useful to make battery-less USB-powered work one of primary use modes.
Why?
LT1 already works great as a night lamp next to my bed but only as long as it has a cell inside - otherwise there’s coil whine and annoying red/green button. I can use it with a cell but would rather avoid the extra wear I put on the cell.
For portable applications I would often prefer a lantern to be as compact and lightweight as possible. And when I have a powerbank with me (which happens almost always when I’m camping) ditching the battery tube would save a lot of bulk.
Regarding coil whine in the LT1, has anyone tried sticking a big capacitor or two in an 18650-sized shell? It might be possible to replicate the cell’s role as an energy buffer in USB-powered operation without needing the full capacity of an actual cell.
Update: 01/03/2020) i am awaiting for a couple potential hosts bases from Barry & Sofirn shipped out to me a couple weeks back, once i receive them i can work on the design & testing for the micro/Mini LT1.
Meh. Not for me, I think. Lighter, smaller, dimmer lanterns are plentiful in the marketplace. I am content with the LT1 for its brightness, runtime and feature set.
If I were a backpacker I guess I’d feel differently.
More thoughts:
If the tailcap could be screwed directly into the head (without battery tube), the result would be a nice batteryless lamp. LT1 can be used without tailcap but with exposed contacts doesn’t feel like a product but rather like a hack. Reversing the threads on the head and adding a tailcap would make it feel better in such use.
Your idea seems rational, but it’s probably easier to just stick an old 18650 in there; one that isn’t good for much else .
If someone did try the capacitor in a dummy shell, I recommend putting a resistor in series with it to limit charge/discharge current to some reasonable value. Even a low value like 10-ohm should be fine, as that’s only a ~400mA inrush and seems likely to keep the charging circuit happy. 100-ohm also seems reasonable to me, but even higher may work.
but seriously… why not just pack a diffusor for your flashlight. this is what I have done always.
to stop the beam and reflect it back, I just use some reflective stuff as a “hat” for the diffusor.
I have a silicone diffusor for my D4Sv2… pack some Alu foil around or in it… and voila. Anduril Lantern.
If you want a 21700 host, the EC01 from Astrolux might be good idea… needs a nicer emitter of course. The itself sells as low as 20$ and as usb c charging and Anduril
Or look at the Lumintop edc18… magnetic base, deep carry clip, sideswitch 4000k sst20, Anduril with candle and sunset mode and it comes with a diffusor. You probably just need a bigger diffusor and a way to hang that light straight. maybe a magnetic adapter. usb i missing though
or the wurkkos wk30… I heard it is built by sofirn anyway. usb charge. just needs a diffusor and Anduril on it.
This diffuser might be an option. Being wider at the top might be a problem, but it seems like they were doing that to get more light going downward.
Opening is listed as 33mm or 1.3”. They sell it for $12.50.
Their lantern basically a flashlight with a diffuser on it. The tint looks kind of blue.
They use a flashlight with a 26650 battery, No idea who is manufacturing it. Someone here would probably know.
The product name is called Lantern, which seems like a really bad idea for a name.