I have used this stuff to control brightness in the setup I use for run-times.
The thin white closed cell foam used to package some of our lights or other electronics works also.
The semi-transparent frosted plastic from gallon milk jugs (and the like) can be used as well.
And the best part is they are free. But don’t expect consistency from different sources of the material or even across a sheet of it.
Stuff designed to be used as a diffusion material is better choice if you want to go that route.
The biggest hurdle I had was getting the setup to work with throwers and floodies. Other than getting the readings close to some sane value…
Getting the beam diffused early and lining the tubes to prevent escape prone photons did it for me.
I suspect there are many ways to approach the build. Just have at it - and keep repeating: It’s only a hobby - It’s only a hobby…
All the Best,
Jeff
So I’m building a Lumen tube and man oh man I never thought it’s such a chore just to get the parts! I had to go to two big name hardware chains just to get the parts, and mostly they were sold out. Seems there’s a plastics shortage according to the sales guy. I ended up with this…
4 inch to 3 inch 90-deg. closet elbow
Two 3 inch street 90’s
3 inch end cap for the luxmeter sensor. However the cap DOESN’T fit into the flange end of the street 90 (sold out of those) so I had to sand flush the end of the flange and cap and glued them together with white acrylic adhesive caulk.
This all cost me $30. When I checked 2 years ago to make it with 4 inch parts, it was $20. If I went with 4 inch, it was almost $50. Covid strikes again…
Just wanted to let everyone know, someone wanted several of these tubes so I ordered some of the parts but they ended up changing their mind (had legit reasons).
So I am left with a bunch of parts taking up room (and could use the money to be frank).
If anyone wants one (or you know someone that does) let me know and I can build several mores tubes. Can do both 3.5” and 4.5”. Prices would be the same as the OP.
He had something unavoidable come up that caused him to cancel, I do not blame him at all, I would of done the same thing. I would of refunded any deposit under the circumstances anyways lol.
Mostly trying to clean some stuff up and tax time just hit me harder then expected, so could use some extra cash.
You can use a phone, but if you can swing roughly $100 to $150 for a used data logger, get that. Much easier to use and if you get a calibrated one it will be more accurate.
Make sure you calibrate it with lights with honest factory ratings (Nightwatch, thrunite, Olight, Rovyvon, Fenix, Speras are pretty trustworthy).