C
Clive Mitchell
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Having succumbed to the temptation of buying a 21 LED torch from ebay, I
can report on it as follows...
It's definitely a smart unit. It's machined from Aluminium and feels
chunky and robust. The LEDs are wired in parallel and powered from a
mini battery pack containing three conventional AAA cells.
There is NO resistor, but the current through the LEDs seems acceptable.
Maybe this would be different with real Duracell cells as opposed to the
zinc carbon cells that are so cleverly disguised as Duracell's that came
with the unit. (Complete with fake battery test strip printed on the
side!)
the current draw is about 500mA which should ensure that a fresh set of
alkaline cells last about an hour before the output diminishes. However,
given that LEDs tend to put out crisp white light even as the current
falls, this isn't a major issue. AA cells would have been infinitely
better though since they have an energy density of over three times that
of AAA cells. It seems fine with NiMh cells despite their lower
voltage. (Slight lower intensity, matching lower current, consummate
longer battery life.)
The LED module can be pushed out if required for hacking with
alternative Gallium Nitride based LED's. Not Gallium Arsenide LEDs
though, since they run at a much lower voltage and would sink a lot more
current.
It's definitely a cute torch though. Love it. Spent the day
selectively blinding other Northern Light sparks with it.
Now comes the review of the generic ebay 28 LED torch. Same as above
but utilises a push button on/off switch. Much better idea. The LED
PCB can be hacked if desired. Again just in parallel across the battery
pack. Since it arrived today, I'll be selectively blinding other
Northern Light sparks again tomorrow.
32 LED torch on order! (It's an LEDolomaniac thing!)
can report on it as follows...
It's definitely a smart unit. It's machined from Aluminium and feels
chunky and robust. The LEDs are wired in parallel and powered from a
mini battery pack containing three conventional AAA cells.
There is NO resistor, but the current through the LEDs seems acceptable.
Maybe this would be different with real Duracell cells as opposed to the
zinc carbon cells that are so cleverly disguised as Duracell's that came
with the unit. (Complete with fake battery test strip printed on the
side!)
the current draw is about 500mA which should ensure that a fresh set of
alkaline cells last about an hour before the output diminishes. However,
given that LEDs tend to put out crisp white light even as the current
falls, this isn't a major issue. AA cells would have been infinitely
better though since they have an energy density of over three times that
of AAA cells. It seems fine with NiMh cells despite their lower
voltage. (Slight lower intensity, matching lower current, consummate
longer battery life.)
The LED module can be pushed out if required for hacking with
alternative Gallium Nitride based LED's. Not Gallium Arsenide LEDs
though, since they run at a much lower voltage and would sink a lot more
current.
It's definitely a cute torch though. Love it. Spent the day
selectively blinding other Northern Light sparks with it.
Now comes the review of the generic ebay 28 LED torch. Same as above
but utilises a push button on/off switch. Much better idea. The LED
PCB can be hacked if desired. Again just in parallel across the battery
pack. Since it arrived today, I'll be selectively blinding other
Northern Light sparks again tomorrow.
32 LED torch on order! (It's an LEDolomaniac thing!)
