Images are clickable to enlarge them….
My idea is more along the lines of a lantern than a conventional flashlight. But even then my idea differs from what would be expected for a typical lantern. Lanterns generally spill light in a circular pattern, all around the globe. The plan here is to have the light aimed in one direction, but not so focused as would be with reflectors or optics.
I have built or modded lights with single emitters, quite a few triples and some quads, a couple of six emitter lights and one twelve emitter light. As far as the number of led’s this will beat all previous efforts in the number of emitters, if not the number of lumens output or distance of throw. Forty emitters will be used.
The emitters are 5mm leds purchased form rngwn. They are 1900 K high CRI. They are nominally rated at 2.7 volts and 20 mA. Rangwan has a page where these may be bought. djozz tested some of this type in 3400 K and there is a report with graphs re lumens, amps, CRI and so on.
Here’s the bag they came in…
The leds will be mounted on a piece of single sided prototype perf board, 6.5 cm x 14.5 cm (2.5 inch x 5.75 inch). The copper traces are laid out to be continuous down the length but they do not connect to each other.
After a bit of diddling about with my mental concept I came up with a 5 x 8 grid of leds. The size grew out of making something of a physical size that I liked and was compatible with some of the materials I have already, as well as compromises between driver maximum amps and how that would work with the leds. The tests djozz performed indicates these leds can take much more current than 20 m, but like most or all leds there is a point when more heat is made than light. I hope I have reached a happy medium. I anticipate that mostly the light will be run on a low setting, likely no more than 20 mA per led.
Here is a representation of the 5 x 8 grid. The leds will all be wired in parallel, so there will be some jumpers at the ends of the rows.
And the other side of the perf board with led positions marked.
A close up of the perf holes which are approx 1mm in diameter on the standard 2.54mm spacing. The long leg is +.
The first row of leds are positioned to get a “feel” of what this may be.
Here’s the row with the wires bent to hold the leds in place.
Next, I need to get out to the workshop and turn on the soldering station and make a commitment.
Yes, I am excited! But we’re going away so there will be no updates for a week or more.