spottie build (finished)

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-25T08:05:53.000Z

Hello BLF.

I am have been wanting to build an LED spottie for a while and have finally gotten myself started.

I have read up a fair amount on the BLFGT - GT70 and enderman’s searchlight builds, I’m nowhere near that level but I’m having fun anyway.

I have been learning / reading and purchasing components as I go along, which has led me to ending up with some less than ideal solutions (ie: my 6v 10a step down). I am learning though. slowly.

my plan is to run the light on clamps to a car battery while hunting. about 13v.

The LED I have on hand is a 6v MT-G2.

mountain electronics do not have a driver that will supply over 6A.

I think im going to have to end up building my own driver.

anyone know of an off the shelf solution for 7 or 8 amps and up to 7 or 8 volts from 13v?

I’ll keep doing what I can and trying to learn on the fly.

Here’s what I have going at the moment:

EDIT:

the ingredients (including postage, in AUD)
:

$10 6v MT-G2 on noctigon
https://intl-outdoor.com/led-mtg2-c-107_138.html

$90 Ledil SEANNA

Mouser Electronics

FCP13895_SEANNA-A Ledil | Mouser

FCP13895_SEANNA-A Ledil LED Lighting Lenses Assemblies Assembly round 152.6mm(D)79mm(H) datasheet, inventory & pricing.

$30 lamp shade
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Retro-Pendant-Light-Shade/112483190718?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=412868017467&\_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

$16 rifle pistol grip
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rifle-Pistol-Motor-Grip-Hunting-Ergonomic-Finger-Non-Slip-Groves-223-5-56-Type/162971698290?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&\_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

$6 stainelss mesh

eBay

4/8/10/50/100 Mesh Stainless Steel Woven Wire Filtration Filter Screening Sheet...

1 x Stainless Steel Woven Wire. -Acid and alkali resistance, good corrosion performance; high strength, tensile, toughness and wear resistance, durable;. Material:Stainless Steel. 8 2.5 MM 0.8mm 60 2.00 kg/m2.

$7 power step down… yes i know bad idea ….
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DC12V-To-DC6V-10A-60W-Step-Down-Power-Supply-Converter-Regulator-Waterproof-B1/263833818184?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&\_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

$13 cpu heat sink and fan

eBay

Unbranded Copper CPU Heatsinks for sale | Shop with Afterpay | eBay AU

Get the best deals on Unbranded Copper CPU Heatsinks. Shop with Afterpay on eligible items. Free delivery and returns on eBay Plus items for Plus members. Shop today!

and a bunch of little things like wire heat shrink, a switch and a fuse etc…. probably cost about $200 all up.

for tests i’m running off a 3s lipo, normally it will be plugged in to the cigarette lighter port in the car.

I was originally looking at buying one of these:

eBay

LIGHTFORCE+SL2406+12V+Blitz+handheld+Spot+Lamp for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LIGHTFORCE+SL2406+12V+Blitz+handheld+Spot+Lamp at the best online prices at eBay!

but i think my light is at least close in performance, probably brighter, maybe less throw.

All up im pretty stoked with the way it turned out.

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-25T14:05:42.000Z

Update. I have pieced most of this thing (!?) together, and I am reasonably ok with where it is at. Seems to punch out a pretty good and useful beam , although of course I just want it to be more powerful hehe.

I still have a way to go before it's done.

Here is the progress.

[Album] spot light build progress

Enderman · 2018-10-25T14:08:11.000Z

Nice job, it looks good!

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-25T14:16:22.000Z

Enderman:

Nice job, it looks good!

After seeing your work I’m about ready to print out your comment and frame it

I might have to update it to a better driver and better heat management some time in the future. It seems to be ok at the moment but if I’m going to ramp it up I might need more serious cooling.

I hope to have it all cleaned up and finished by tomorrow night.

ImA4Wheelr · 2018-10-25T16:10:38.000Z

Congrats on the build! Most buck drivers can operate over a broad range of input voltage and will deliver whatever voltage the emitter needs automatically. There should a good number of buck drivers that can handle automotive voltages and deliver 6 amps to your emitter.

The HX-1175b is pretty robust. I don't know who has the best price these days. Here is the first link I found. If you don't want the 5 modes (L, M, H, Strobe, SOS), you can jumper the PWM pin to the MCU's VCC pin for single mode. I don't recall the stock current that it is designed to deliver. I think it's about 7.5 amps.

There are probably some even lower cost options, if you don't mind a rectangular shaped driver (which it appears you would have no problem using in your build). I'm just not aware of which ones will work for you at this moment as I have not shopped for buck drivers in some time now.

Best wishes on your driver quest.

EDIT: Here are some builds using the HX-1175b delivering various amps MT-G2 or multiple 3v emitters in series:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/26076#node-30670

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/28798

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/34779

Here is a thread on the HX-1175b:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/26978

EDIT2: Sorry for all the edits. Kept thinking of things I forgot to say.

Agro · 2018-10-25T16:48:34.000Z

Nice!
I really like the format and the use of Seanna. However, have you considered using another LED? MT-G2 is quite dated…

Enderman · 2018-10-25T18:09:52.000Z

ThembaFatsani:

After seeing your work I’m about ready to print out your comment and frame it

I might have to update it to a better driver and better heat management some time in the future. It seems to be ok at the moment but if I’m going to ramp it up I might need more serious cooling.

I hope to have it all cleaned up and finished by tomorrow night.

Hahaha
I’m glad I could inspire someone with my work!
From now on you’ll just want more and more power

Kame_Sennin · 2018-10-25T19:13:59.000Z

For a driver that will let you adjust the current in the led you can search aliexpress (or alike) for "10A CC CV buck"

(No fancy modes as this is not a "real" led driver but ok if all you want is OFF/Max Power)

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-25T21:34:22.000Z

thanks for the info A4. that is a big help to me.

agro i just really love the light ot of my TK35UE …. I wanted something similar again. the only other thing i was looking at was the 70.2 because of the GT70. might change or ot at some point.

ender… yes … UNLIMITED POWER!

thanks for the info kame, ill have to try as few things i think.

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-26T05:36:43.000Z

got a little more done today.

spot light build pt.2 spot light build pt.2 - Album on Imgur

MRsDNF · 2018-10-26T08:46:23.000Z

You got lots done. I’d say you have nearly finished. Its looking real good.

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-27T00:45:56.000Z

sadly while trying to install the fan i broke afin off it …. do gt have a spare on hand … waiting for the mail man again.

eas · 2018-10-27T04:39:06.000Z

Nice. I believe Enderman has used one of Lexel’s buck drivers for a high-power build.

As others have said, inexpensive ebay constant current buck converters should work, but I’d be a little worried about spikes at turn-on. Whatever you do, you’ll want to derate from the sellers claim. Ie, if you want 10A, look for something closer to 20A.

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-30T07:31:59.000Z

getting towards finishing the first iteration of my spotlight build, already dreaming of another bigger and better beast.

enderman’s x10m candela reflector is probably what i would call perfect, shining the led face down n at a shallow reflector. the special reflector is not in a price range im ready to go for right now though.

I’d like to hack something together a little more home brew style if i can.

most recently im thinking of a 3d printed buck of the reflector parabola, and thermo forming some 10mm thick plexi to create the lens, and then vacuum / thermo forming on to that with mylar space blanket for the reflective surface.

not the strongest but it would have to be cheap, and i think you could get pretty good results.

anyone here tried anything similar?

ThembaFatsani · 2018-10-30T13:26:24.000Z

All finished. here’s a link to pt 3 of the build for anyone interested. spot light build pt 3, finished. - Album on Imgur
I think I’ll call it a success, I’m looking forward to building something with more punch next though… I think the bug might be biting.

pinkpanda3310 · 2018-10-30T13:30:16.000Z

Very nice finish :+1: Great build

MRsDNF · 2018-10-30T19:23:28.000Z

Looks terrific TF. Well done and be careful of that bug. I dont know if there is a cure. :+1:

djozz · 2018-10-30T20:13:38.000Z

MRsDNF:

Looks terrific TF. Well done and be careful of that bug. I dont know if there is a cure. :+1:

Bug can’t be cured, can be harnassed by evil wife though…

Very nice build! It would have been a worthy entry for the OL from scratch build contest.

Enderman · 2018-10-30T20:42:17.000Z

djozz:

Bug can’t be cured, can be harnassed by evil wife though…

Very nice build! It would have been a worthy entry for the OL from scratch build contest.

Can confirm, it is permanent, never enough lux.

LouieAtienza · 2018-12-08T01:40:10.000Z

Great build! I’m expecting delivery of a couple Seanna fixtures next week; your build has me pumped up to start mine. Now just a matter of which LED to use…