CXA3590 LED Dazzler

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Background:

A dazzler is a weapon that uses light to cause disorientation and temporary vision impairment; they’re usually laser-based

A CXA3590 is a 35mm, 150W, 18,000 lumen LED array intended for street and area lighting

There is a 26650 battery capable of supplying 70A continuously and up to 120A briefly at 3.3V

Given the availability of these components, I’m wondering about the feasibility of using them to build a short-range, wide-angle dazzler for personal defense. I’m imagining something pretty simple: the CXA3590 bonded to a cylinder of copper or brass to act as a heat sink, a boost circuit, the battery and a momentary switch with a safety cover. I’d probably also add a small bezel/reflector to reduce the beam angle a bit, but it’s intended to be pretty wide. A more fancy version might benefit from a strobe function.

I haven’t built a flashlight before, though I have a basic understanding of electronics. Is what I’m proposing viable, or is there some big obstacle I haven’t thought of?

2

the only problem I see is the boost driver would have to be hella big.

3

I wonder if 9 10440s wired in series, direct drive might be a better approach.

4

150W out of 9 10440s - that is interesting…

Is this Dazzler for human or for animal?

For humans, I think a normal SkyRay King is enough.
Looking directly into 3-8 XM-Ls is blinding you for a good amount of time.

I don’t think that it’s possible to pack all of the needed parts in a handy flashlight

5

Also with no reflector it’s output is going to drop off fast.

I suspect that 18,000 lumens with no reflector could easily look less bright in the target’s eyes than 4000 lumens with even a small reflector.

6

The best one I know puts out 3A (rated). I’m not sure if it can do more briefly. It might come up a bit short of full power. I wonder if there’s a capacitor that might solve that problem without adding too much bulk.

7

http://www.taskled.com/hbflex.shtml
or
http://www.taskled.com/hboost.shtml

suitable driver?

8

Are you suggesting overdriving the CXA3590 or attempting to meet Cree’s spec?

I think the Hyperboost would be suitable, but you’ll need to provide a good percentage of the output voltage as input. TaskLED specs 6A as the highest recommended input current for the Hyperboost. And of course you’ll need one of the drivers from the forum here to provide a disorienting strobe PWM signal for the Hyperboost.

9

Just meeting the spec. The 36V version is rated for 3.6A.

Edit: the Hyperboost looks pretty good. It would take 4 lithium-ion cells in series to get a theoretical maximum output of 3.1A at 36V with an input of 7A. It looks like Efest (and probably other) IMR 14500s can supply enough current.

10

http://www.killerlumens.com/about-us.html

I can sell just the driver if interested. It’s linear and up to 2.6A out per color could be increased by stacking 7135’s.

11

That puke light is another interesting take on a dazzler. I think I read about a similar device in a spy novel.

I’m going to be out of the country for a couple months soon, and I probably won’t be building much while I’m away. I’m interested in refining this idea though as well as hearing about other implementations.