Flashlight project

[Diamon]

With the days getting shorter and shorter I figured I'd improve an old underwater flashlight my dad had lying around.

The basic idea is to replace the light bulb with some bright white LEDs to up the power and efficiency of it. I'll even be able to use it while diving since I won't have to damage the case!

And now for some pics of the building:

The victim!
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/5982/dsc00790w.jpg

The aluminum sheet with a grid of holes drilled into it for the LEDs
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/8025/dsc00791s.jpg

The hardware I needed to buy
http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/8733/dsc00793sm.jpg
-LEDs
-Wire
-Heat shrinking
-Battery holders (needed to reach 6 volts which is required by the LEDs)
-Resistors
-9v battery connections
A total cost or roughly $70

During the soldering process:
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/9697/dsc00794.jpg

First row of LEDs
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/155/dsc00795v.jpg

About half the LEDs done
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5899/dsc00796i.jpg

Really need to get a proper work bench :)
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/2369/dsc00798f.jpg

All of the LEDs done
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3343/dsc00799u.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3203/dsc00802j.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2787/dsc00801yx.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4205/dsc00803fb.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5540/dsc00804d.jpg

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/8281/dsc00805.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/311/dsc00806f.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/479/dsc00808cf.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/165/dsc00810t.jpg



Total cost: $71
Hours of work: About 6

[Waynio]

Wow, that's a bada$$ super bright torch mate, awesome :D:up: +rep

[Collinstheclown]

Wow! Looks cool, but it could have been a LOT easier. Should have done a 7 x 8 array with every 4 grouped together on a 1 Ohm resistor. Would've only have 14 resistors. ;) Assuming your using all 8 AA's which would give you 12V, and assuming the white LEDs draw 3v.

Or you could have used a 3W luxeon star, either way.


I'm not dissing the project, I think it looks awesome. I love that many resistors bundled up!

[x88x]

What are those LEDs rated at? It looks cool, and with the price tag, I'm guessing they're pretty high power...

[Diamon]

@Waynio thanks :D

@Collinstheclown I'm using a 2x6v setup so the batteries are wired pin parallel in groups of four and the white LEDs use 6v so I think this was the best way of doing it. I could've wired the LEDs in pairs and used half the resistors but this way is more robust in my opinion. I did consider getting one really powerful LED but since this was my first project of this kind I wanted to go with what I already knew. If I make another it will be with more powerful LEDs. Thanks for the feedback :D

@x88x The specs of the LEDs are: 3mm 6v 3500mcd