Homemade LED Flashlight

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:25 pm

I'm planning on making an LED flashlight using a lantern type battery. This will be used for some light painting that me and my friends have been playing with. I'll upload some pics later for examples.

I found a few LED calculators so that I don't have to man up and do the math.

I looked up the Superflux LEDs Chris uses on his Camaro, but they only really seem to come in blue and white. I need as many different colors as I can find.

I also need some kind of plastic tube to house the LEDs/resistors in. I'm going to make the tube have quick connects from the lantern battery for easy changing of colors. I was considering making the LEDs changable, which would reduce costs, but I couldn't really think of any reliable, fool-proof ways of doing this. Suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:33 pm

Here's a link for exactly what I'm trying to do and what I'm trying to do it for.
http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Lig ... -light-do/

Are NTE LEDs that these people are using any good? I want to do the same idea, but made to be tougher since we're going to be using them outside, possibly getting stepped on, among other things.

Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:24 pm

I'll take a look at your link in the next few days, I'm just heading out the door out of town for a couple days.

True superflux LEDs will come in red or amber for sure. You can get knock offs in pretty much any color, but just make sure they are actually 70ma versions. Many of the ebay ones are only 20ma.

True Superflux are made my lumileds.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:21 pm

What exactly is "superflux"? Meaning current usage, light dispersion, etc?

Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:48 pm

solacedagony wrote:What exactly is "superflux"? Meaning current usage, light dispersion, etc?

superflux is a case style of LEDs. They are the ones in a square package that have the 4 legs, they are what are used in auto OEM applications. The 4 legs add stablity to the LED, plus also help in heat dispersion.

On Ebay you can find a white superflux ‘style’ 5 chip LED that has a 100ma rating.
That is what I used in my reverse lights on the Camaro and they are bright!!!!!

Normal LEDs are usually called 3mm, 5mm, 8mm etc. These will have 2 legs.

Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:49 pm

Actually looking at what you want to do, you most likely want a LED that has a narrow beam to it.

Supeflux's usually have a wider beam 120 degrees. You could most likely just get away with using some cheapy LEDs on ebay that have a 20 degree rating.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:40 am

Chris from Washington wrote:Actually looking at what you want to do, you most likely want a LED that has a narrow beam to it.

Supeflux's usually have a wider beam 120 degrees. You could most likely just get away with using some cheapy LEDs on ebay that have a 20 degree rating.

Yea, the narrow beam is certainly better than a wider one in this case. How tough are these things? Can they get bounced around a bit without breaking?

Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:10 am

I think it would be better if the LED itself can be encased in something too. The little legs on the LEDs can bend easy. Plus you don't want them getting wet or anything.

colemanyoungerinalaska · Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:18 am

casting resin might work

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 3:18 pm

Chris from Washington wrote:I think it would be better if the LED itself can be encased in something too. The little legs on the LEDs can bend easy. Plus you don't want them getting wet or anything.

Yea, I definitely am looking for project tubes or something. Haven't come across anything yet though.

Is it possible to estimate the time of battery usage based on milliamp rating and battery?