I’m new here, and have had a ball reading up on all the stuff you’re doing I’m not really looking to make flashlights, but rather auxilliary lights for motorcycles, the idea is the same. I’ve developed an interest playing around with parts I had around my shop, but whenever I need new bits… I’m a bit stuck.
I’m from the Netherlands, so EU world. Every one-stop shop I can find is US based. I just need something like leddna.com, but then inside EU borders, ideally in the Netherlands but realistically Germany. We have LED-tech.de, but the assortment is pretty woeful. I have a motley collection of other shops that does provide me with things I need I suppose (emitters can come from mouser’s Dutch shop, and ledtreiber.de can provide some nice drivers but I’m stumped on PCBs and lenses, for instance), but there has to be an easier way. Also, for my puposes… I need things compact, so I massive reflector as would be used in many flashlights wouldn’t work for me; I need the little optical lenses/collimators. Those are hard to find for XHPs… or in general, really. Anyone got pointers?
I’d be looking to make a bunch of different options, both to aid being noticed (bright running lights… wouldn’t be XHP based obviously) and for high beams, off-road use (those would be XHPs).
I myself have no experience, but the Czech forum communicates a person who has very extensive experience with LED optics.
The man used to produce very good lights in the past and is currently preparing the production of new lights.
He even developed the lights for a professional factory rally special that is quite successful.
Here is a link to his website Powerful bike lights and headlamps Try contacting him. (Not advertising, lights not on sale).
The Czech Republic is in the EU, so I suppose it has the same problems and opportunities as you do.
According to what he wrote, he has thousands of opticians at home to develop his lights.
His lamps are extraordinary.
They are controlled by BT, have gyroscopes and the like.
Some have an internal battery and an external battery.
They are designed for bikes or for caves and climbers.
He is a light enthusiast and knows what he is doing.
He also has some testing videos on YouTube.
His lights are not budgeted.
I gave the message as a contact for another person interested in lighting production in EU conditions.
Best in EU from my opinion are Mouser or Farnell. I order often from Mouser. They offer also free shipping for orders over 50 EUR and have largest
assortment of electronic components. If you want to order from TME you need to have VAT registered number. Also another good choice is reichelt.de
Nothing changes until January 2021. We are in a transition period for the next 11 months. During the transition the UK remains in the customs union and single market.
What happens after that is subject to negotiation.
It seems there are a ton of options when looking for the LED chips specifically, I’d found Mouser but some great other options there too. I’m not looking to buy ready made flashlights, even though some of those are pretty awesome I’d really like to make things myself. Have to say the SOLC options look pretty impressive, but no prices or anything and once again, that would be cheating as far as I’m concerned
I’m going to do some more reading up on the other options you guys came up with. Am really also looking for a place to order Collimators and MCPCBs too, though. Can’t seem to find those on site like Mouser or Farnell. Am I just not looking in the right places? I mean things like these:
I gave a link to the website because there is contact!
I thought you could contact Solc to discuss the possibility of buying components in the EU.
In our forum is willing to discuss.
He is experienced, is an enthusiast and manufactures.
I’m not really looking to make flashlights, but rather auxilliary lights for motorcycles, the idea is the same. I’ve developed an interest playing around with parts I had around my shop, but whenever I need new bits… I’m a bit stuck.
