modamag
Flashlight Enthusiast
Introducing Draco - The "innie winnie little" light that breath out fire.
... well at least the thought :nana:
Image scale are:
2.92:1 on 800:600 resolution monitor
2.29:1 on 1024:768 resolution monitor
1.82:1 on 1280:1024 resolution monitor
1.44:1 on 1600:1200 resolution monitor
This project has been on-again, off-again since my last birthday. There are so many beautiful and bright limited production LEDs light out there but none of them are quite small enough. The one that I want is ... well unobtainium.
So here it is month after month after month and still nothing small enough for my ever growing bulk of a keychain. (which includes 3x cars, 2x houses, and a bunch of bedrooms.)
The CAD designs have been designed and re-designed as material sourcing evolved. Right now it's sitting on rev #5. The project is far from complete, but as of right now I'm running low on steam and inspiration Hopefully this post will generate some energy and propell the project towards completion!
=== Light Specification ===
Light Body: Titanium 6AL-4V | Aluminum AA6061
Thermal Management: Integrated E-Can & LED base
Len: Optical Grade Saphire
Reflector: Custom 11mm reflector (McR-11)
Light Source: Premium S@@O@ emitter
Power Source: 10280 Li-Ion
Electronic converter:
· [1]Constant Current Regulation (Hi/Lo)
· [2]PWM Control (Low/Usr/Burst)
Dimension:
· 43mm L x 13mm OD * Non Lanyard version (not available!)
· 47mm L x 13mm OD * Lanyard version
· 56mm L x 21mm max OD * Turbo Head
Weight:
· ~ 12 grams (0.424 oz) * Titanium version
· ~ 7 grams (0.246 oz) * Aluminum version
Runtime:
· ~ burst setting = 15 minutes
· ~ low setting (40mA) = 4.0 hours
Miscellaneous:
· Water proof, custom o-ring protection at all junctions
Possible Options:
· 21mm Turbo Head utilizing McR-18 & 2mm Saphire Lens
· Mineral glass len (suggested by idleprocess)
· Premium LuxIII U@0@
· TiN/TiCN coating (suggested by Icebreak)
=== Pricing ===
=== Aluminum 6061-T6 (Nickel Electroless plating) ===
Draco (complete light) ... $130
Turbo head... $50
Extended Battery Pack (AAA) ... <$30
=== Titanium 6AL-4V (TiN / TiCN coating) ===
Draco (complete light) ... $240
Turbo head... $100
Extended Battery Pack (AAA) ... <$80
=== Goals ===
Here are some goals that I had for making this light.
· Smallest and shortest production light series
· Usable amount of brightness with intended illumination range of < 8' (2.5 meters) for the standard head.
· Durability, keychains are dropped, dip, scratch, and thrown everywhere so will the poor light so it need to be able to stand the harsh physical and chemical abuse.
· Affordability, yes we can make a "perfect" EDC but if it's only for Bill Gates then it's useless. EDC is for "Every dude carries".
· Finally most important of all (to me) ... sex appeal ... if the light does not look nice it should be at your side.
=== FAQ ===
Why Saphire Lens?
- Saphire is the 2nd hardest (behind diamond) natural substance so scratch resistance. Thermally & chemically resistance.
Why don't you specify the full bin code?
- Currently I'm targeting TY0H but if in 3 months better stuff such as UY0H might be available then it'll change. :naughty:
What's the difference between S-bin Luxeon I and U-bin Luxeon III?
- LuxI will generally be noticibly brighter than the LuxIII
- LuxI will also maintain a closer tint to the spec due to the drive level.
- LuxIII will be "underdriven" so it's lifespan will be better.
- LuxIII also have better thermal management which is important in such a small light.
Why bother with TiN or TiCN coating while titanium is already hard and corrosion resistant?
- Although Ti have great corrosion resistance but when it comes to halides (chlorides and fluorides) it doesn't do so well. I want this to go thru a standard wash/dry cycle w/o any problem.
- Titanium on titanium threads tend to gall (stick) so the coating will make it better.
- Galvanic corrosion due to Ti / Cu junction (negative contact) will be reduced.
- Electrical conductivity significantly increased from 40 m?·cm -> 25 µ?·cm
- TiN got a beautiful gold color while TiCN is greyish for the camouflage military look.
- It all boils down to PERSONAL COLOR PREFERENCE because these coating are well OVER-DESIGNED for flashlight usage.
How do you estimate the runtime number?
Estimated runtime is calculated as follows.
Battery capacity = 3.7V * 180mA = 666 mWh
J-Vf Power Consumption = 3.1V * 40mA = 124 mWh
H-Vf Power Consumption = 3.0V * 40mA = 120 mWh
Converter efficiency ~90-95% so let's take 90% worse case scenario.
J-Vf runtime = ( 666 / 124 ) * 0.9 (efficiency) * 60 (converts to minutes) = 290 minutes
H-Vf runtime = ( 666 / 120 ) * 0.9 (efficiency) * 60 (converts to minutes) = 300 minutes
With all that said, I'm up for any suggestions and recommendations. :thanks:
Please post your interest on this thread just in case this comes to fruition.
If you want a specific serial number indicate that too just in case serial engraving occurs.
... well at least the thought :nana:
Image scale are:
2.92:1 on 800:600 resolution monitor
2.29:1 on 1024:768 resolution monitor
1.82:1 on 1280:1024 resolution monitor
1.44:1 on 1600:1200 resolution monitor
This project has been on-again, off-again since my last birthday. There are so many beautiful and bright limited production LEDs light out there but none of them are quite small enough. The one that I want is ... well unobtainium.
So here it is month after month after month and still nothing small enough for my ever growing bulk of a keychain. (which includes 3x cars, 2x houses, and a bunch of bedrooms.)
The CAD designs have been designed and re-designed as material sourcing evolved. Right now it's sitting on rev #5. The project is far from complete, but as of right now I'm running low on steam and inspiration Hopefully this post will generate some energy and propell the project towards completion!
=== Light Specification ===
Light Body: Titanium 6AL-4V | Aluminum AA6061
Thermal Management: Integrated E-Can & LED base
Len: Optical Grade Saphire
Reflector: Custom 11mm reflector (McR-11)
Light Source: Premium S@@O@ emitter
Power Source: 10280 Li-Ion
Electronic converter:
· [1]Constant Current Regulation (Hi/Lo)
· [2]PWM Control (Low/Usr/Burst)
Dimension:
· 43mm L x 13mm OD * Non Lanyard version (not available!)
· 47mm L x 13mm OD * Lanyard version
· 56mm L x 21mm max OD * Turbo Head
Weight:
· ~ 12 grams (0.424 oz) * Titanium version
· ~ 7 grams (0.246 oz) * Aluminum version
Runtime:
· ~ burst setting = 15 minutes
· ~ low setting (40mA) = 4.0 hours
Miscellaneous:
· Water proof, custom o-ring protection at all junctions
Possible Options:
· 21mm Turbo Head utilizing McR-18 & 2mm Saphire Lens
· Mineral glass len (suggested by idleprocess)
· Premium LuxIII U@0@
· TiN/TiCN coating (suggested by Icebreak)
=== Pricing ===
=== Aluminum 6061-T6 (Nickel Electroless plating) ===
Draco (complete light) ... $130
Turbo head... $50
Extended Battery Pack (AAA) ... <$30
=== Titanium 6AL-4V (TiN / TiCN coating) ===
Draco (complete light) ... $240
Turbo head... $100
Extended Battery Pack (AAA) ... <$80
=== Goals ===
Here are some goals that I had for making this light.
· Smallest and shortest production light series
· Usable amount of brightness with intended illumination range of < 8' (2.5 meters) for the standard head.
· Durability, keychains are dropped, dip, scratch, and thrown everywhere so will the poor light so it need to be able to stand the harsh physical and chemical abuse.
· Affordability, yes we can make a "perfect" EDC but if it's only for Bill Gates then it's useless. EDC is for "Every dude carries".
· Finally most important of all (to me) ... sex appeal ... if the light does not look nice it should be at your side.
=== FAQ ===
Why Saphire Lens?
- Saphire is the 2nd hardest (behind diamond) natural substance so scratch resistance. Thermally & chemically resistance.
Why don't you specify the full bin code?
- Currently I'm targeting TY0H but if in 3 months better stuff such as UY0H might be available then it'll change. :naughty:
What's the difference between S-bin Luxeon I and U-bin Luxeon III?
- LuxI will generally be noticibly brighter than the LuxIII
- LuxI will also maintain a closer tint to the spec due to the drive level.
- LuxIII will be "underdriven" so it's lifespan will be better.
- LuxIII also have better thermal management which is important in such a small light.
Why bother with TiN or TiCN coating while titanium is already hard and corrosion resistant?
- Although Ti have great corrosion resistance but when it comes to halides (chlorides and fluorides) it doesn't do so well. I want this to go thru a standard wash/dry cycle w/o any problem.
- Titanium on titanium threads tend to gall (stick) so the coating will make it better.
- Galvanic corrosion due to Ti / Cu junction (negative contact) will be reduced.
- Electrical conductivity significantly increased from 40 m?·cm -> 25 µ?·cm
- TiN got a beautiful gold color while TiCN is greyish for the camouflage military look.
- It all boils down to PERSONAL COLOR PREFERENCE because these coating are well OVER-DESIGNED for flashlight usage.
How do you estimate the runtime number?
Estimated runtime is calculated as follows.
Battery capacity = 3.7V * 180mA = 666 mWh
J-Vf Power Consumption = 3.1V * 40mA = 124 mWh
H-Vf Power Consumption = 3.0V * 40mA = 120 mWh
Converter efficiency ~90-95% so let's take 90% worse case scenario.
J-Vf runtime = ( 666 / 124 ) * 0.9 (efficiency) * 60 (converts to minutes) = 290 minutes
H-Vf runtime = ( 666 / 120 ) * 0.9 (efficiency) * 60 (converts to minutes) = 300 minutes
With all that said, I'm up for any suggestions and recommendations. :thanks:
Please post your interest on this thread just in case this comes to fruition.
If you want a specific serial number indicate that too just in case serial engraving occurs.
Last edited: