Interest collect for a new Sofirn design: tube style18650, magnetic ring control, USB-C charging, 500 lm max (AKA grandma light)

[m0nk33]

In for 1!

[Lagittaja]

djozz already replied but…
…here’s an example from LCSC at ~1.1-1.2$ a pop in reasonable quantities
https://lcsc.com/product-detail/USB-Connectors_XKB-Enterprise-USB3-1-TYPE-C-FSABC_C319140.html

Problem is usually IPX7 or IPX8 Type-C connectors are also made as USB 3.1 Gen 2 compatible which drives up the cost (and complexity) unnecessarily.
For a flashlight you really don’t need a Type-C connector with 24 pins… You only need 6 pins.

I’m not good at rummaging through Alibaba but here’s a cheaper example
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/IP68-Waterproof-USB-Type-C-6PinFemale_62252784266.html
It even has “locating” pins so you can make a couple of holes in the PCB for it to sit in for some added support.

With these, like I said previously, the light needs to be designed around it and implemented correctly since the ingress protection comes from the o-ring which seals against the “chassis”.

If anyone is interested or perhaps wants some light reading before bed, here’s a link to Parker’s o-ring handbook. Almost 300 pages worth of fun.
https://www.parker.com/Literature/O-Ring%20Division%20Literature/ORD%205700.pdf

@SKV89

Can you provide me a link of where to find the ipx7 or ipx8 usb-c port? I’m trying to convince a flashlight manufacturer to use usb-c instead of proprietary magnetic charging.

@Lagittaja

Regarding the charging port, like raven said, IPX7 and even IPX8 rated USB-C receptacles are a thing. The light needs to be designed around one and it needs to be implemented properly but I would pay a little bit extra for that.
Though that might be a bit too much to ask for in a ~20-25$ light, considering the BOM increase.
If someone wonders about the price, cheapest USB-C receptacles are ~0.1$ a piece in 100-1000+ quantities but if you add ingress protection then they start at around 1$.
Certainly not expensive but small things add up quickly and Sofirn needs to make a profit.
Though that was based on LCSC and glancing over some Alibaba listings I guess they could find something closer to 0.3-0.4$.

P.S. djozz, it would be a nice thing if this flashlight would follow the USB Type-C spec. By this I mean the connector needs to have 5.1k pull-down resistors between CC and GND so that USB Type-C chargers will actually charge the flashlight.

[SKV89]

Thanks!

[djozz]

Thanks for the extra USB-C socket information, and for the Parker O-Ring Handbook link, best lockdown read ever

I think I already asked for the USB-C charger support, Sofirn should be able to handle that because they had the request before for the LT1 and I believe already implemented it there in the next batch (not sure).

[Lumens_Industry]

Interested

[vandasian]

Interested

[BurningPlayd0h]

Interested

[djsz]

I’ll take one!

[Rsqweezy]

I’ll take 2 or 3

[lukehale]

Interested.

[Linburger]

Add me to the list!

[Tixx]

Interested!

[firstcipher]

Interested

[Geuzzz]

Interested in two if it has usb-c.

[djozz]

@Geuzzz

Interested in two if it has usb-c.

USB-C is planned. But to be frank, I have not had contact about this light since the crisis. But I think this light is still highly relevant so I see it coming off the ground at some point.

[Geuzzz]

@djozz

@Geuzzz

Interested in two if it has usb-c.

USB-C is planned. But to be frank, I have not had contact about this light since the crisis. But I think this light is still highly relevant so I see it coming off the ground at some point.

I am Frank (even by name ). A light like this will always be relevant. And before every camping vacation I am looking for good muggle lights for the kids and my girl, but hardly ever succeed.
Would be a big plus for me if it had a warmer led than 5000k BTW,

[djozz]

Would be a big plus for me if it had a warmer led than 5000k BTW,

For me too, but the 5000K LH351D was chosen because it is a great led that Sofirn already has in-house, and it pleases many. In a later phase we can maybe ask for other emitter options but at this point that is not relevant yet.

[Frink]

I finally stopped lurking and joined just to say INTERESTED for two to start. If they work out as well as they sound I could see buying a bunch more later. Would be perfect Christmas gifts in that $22 range with battery .

[djozz]

Thanks for the interest, I will update the list somewhere this week.

[nick779]

Add me to the list please. Most likely 1, but if executed properly ill grab a bunch for gifts.