sunny_nites
Enlightened
This is one of those projects I've had in the back of my mind for a long time. Finally got a hold of some equipment that let me make it a reality.
Say hello to my little friend:
Calling this little guy The Micro ATL (Aluminum Triple LED) Light.
Milled aluminum body and top, three Cree 5mm, neutral white, 15 degree LEDs, driven by a X-Light Micro controller and powered by 150mah of rechargeable lithium polymer goodness. Also has three neodymium rare earth magnets so it can clamp onto metal for hands free operation.
Wow, I need to dust that desk.
X-light micro driver on low:
And High:
Approximate dimensions for the Micro ATL are:
L = 49.5mm (1.9"), H=9mm (.345"), W=25mm (1")
The 150mah lipo gives it an approximate max run time of over 2 hours at full brightness. I haven't measured the current on the lowest setting but it would run for a very long time.
The 10-32 set screw in the side covers the charging port:
Anyone that has been around for a while will probably notice a resemblance to another small milled light that came out a while back.
Saber Wolfs Mini Tag Light saga turned out to be a tragic event for a light with such potential.
I actually tried to buy a couple full metal Tag Light chassis from Saber Wolf to install my own electronics in. Probably turned out to be lucky break for me that he declined as I likely would have paid for them and still would have had to make my own. And I would have missed out on the challenge and fun of designing and building the Micro ATL!
Micro ATL Light all milled up and waiting for its electronics. The custom made silicone gasket in the back ground also serves as the switch cover:
I'm using the membrane switch that comes on the X-Light controller and a silicone switch cover rather than a hard button cover. This reduces the likely hood of the light turning on in a pocket or on a keychain. So far, all of the people that I have made these for say there have been no accidental power ups (I really didn't intend on making these for sale but so far, everyone that sees the one I carry wants one. Oddly enough, even non flashlight enthusiasts). I carry mine in my pocket daily and so far have never had an accidental power on.
Just realized I don't have a picture of the lights insides wired up. Will post one soon. Not much to see though, similar to under the hood of a modern car; mostly battery and the circuit board for the controller.
Family photo:
These are some early prototypes:
I used a much thinner gasket on these first units and a GID switch cover. Note the smaller charger port in the light on the bottom and no port at all on the top unit.
The light on top was the first one I made and the lid has to be removed to charge it. These lights are not quite as long as the later versions and clock in around 43mm, excluding the tail extension. The tail extension on the lid for the split ring attachment gave way to the, cleaner and simpler to make, notched body version and I went with the much easier to find larger charging jack.
I'm calling these early prototypes, gen 1, the newer ones pictured at the begging are gen 2. I'm currently working on what will probably be the final type, gen3. Primarily the same as the gen 2 but will have a 240mah lipo and will be around 2 to maybe 3 mm longer. Otherwise the same but should run over 4 hours on high.
The LEDs and charger jack are potted to assist in water resistance but the battery and controller are not and can be accessed for service or replacement.
Thanks for looking!
Say hello to my little friend:
Calling this little guy The Micro ATL (Aluminum Triple LED) Light.
Milled aluminum body and top, three Cree 5mm, neutral white, 15 degree LEDs, driven by a X-Light Micro controller and powered by 150mah of rechargeable lithium polymer goodness. Also has three neodymium rare earth magnets so it can clamp onto metal for hands free operation.
Wow, I need to dust that desk.
X-light micro driver on low:
And High:
Approximate dimensions for the Micro ATL are:
L = 49.5mm (1.9"), H=9mm (.345"), W=25mm (1")
The 150mah lipo gives it an approximate max run time of over 2 hours at full brightness. I haven't measured the current on the lowest setting but it would run for a very long time.
The 10-32 set screw in the side covers the charging port:
Anyone that has been around for a while will probably notice a resemblance to another small milled light that came out a while back.
Saber Wolfs Mini Tag Light saga turned out to be a tragic event for a light with such potential.
I actually tried to buy a couple full metal Tag Light chassis from Saber Wolf to install my own electronics in. Probably turned out to be lucky break for me that he declined as I likely would have paid for them and still would have had to make my own. And I would have missed out on the challenge and fun of designing and building the Micro ATL!
Micro ATL Light all milled up and waiting for its electronics. The custom made silicone gasket in the back ground also serves as the switch cover:
I'm using the membrane switch that comes on the X-Light controller and a silicone switch cover rather than a hard button cover. This reduces the likely hood of the light turning on in a pocket or on a keychain. So far, all of the people that I have made these for say there have been no accidental power ups (I really didn't intend on making these for sale but so far, everyone that sees the one I carry wants one. Oddly enough, even non flashlight enthusiasts). I carry mine in my pocket daily and so far have never had an accidental power on.
Just realized I don't have a picture of the lights insides wired up. Will post one soon. Not much to see though, similar to under the hood of a modern car; mostly battery and the circuit board for the controller.
Family photo:
These are some early prototypes:
I used a much thinner gasket on these first units and a GID switch cover. Note the smaller charger port in the light on the bottom and no port at all on the top unit.
The light on top was the first one I made and the lid has to be removed to charge it. These lights are not quite as long as the later versions and clock in around 43mm, excluding the tail extension. The tail extension on the lid for the split ring attachment gave way to the, cleaner and simpler to make, notched body version and I went with the much easier to find larger charging jack.
I'm calling these early prototypes, gen 1, the newer ones pictured at the begging are gen 2. I'm currently working on what will probably be the final type, gen3. Primarily the same as the gen 2 but will have a 240mah lipo and will be around 2 to maybe 3 mm longer. Otherwise the same but should run over 4 hours on high.
The LEDs and charger jack are potted to assist in water resistance but the battery and controller are not and can be accessed for service or replacement.
Thanks for looking!