Re: ? on small battery operated fluorescents
- From: emailaddress@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:55:01 -0800 (PST)
On Feb 20, 10:00 am, "Dave" <db5...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Dave" <db5...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0eOdnZWk7oEImAPUnZ2dnUVZ_sDinZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Once purchased a small flashlight with a fluorescent (6") built into the
side, and a switch that let you decide which one to turn on. Ran on 4 AA
batteries, for several hours. Wife fell in love with it, but I fear it
will not last forever (it has already lasted 20 years of intermittent
use). Wondering if I could build her something similar, since I can't find
anything like that at the sporting goods store any longer. I have a
background in electronics and a workshop with a junkbox that won't quit..
And patience. Unfortunately, Google doesn't seem to have what I am
looking for readily accessible. Everything I see there seems to deal with
household AC. I am guessing that a device such as I describe would make
use of a switching power supply, but I have no idea what voltage would
ultimately be used for an F4T5CW bulb. Or what frequency of alternating
current (or whether alternating current would even be used.) Any ideas on
where I could find info, and possibly schematics? This one would be
eternally gratefull.
Many thanks,
Dave
Found this, which looks interesting from the tinkerer's perspective.
http://www.zetex.com/3.0/appnotes/apps/an1.pdf
Thinking about tackling it just for fun. What think y'all? My only real
concern is the transformer, and what to wind it on/whether it matters if I
use 32 AWG enamal-coated wire instead of 34/36 gauge wire for windings #1
and 5, and 28 guage for windings #2/3/4. Ideas?
Thanks all...
Dave
On Feb 20, 10:00 am, "Dave" <db5...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Dave" <db5...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0eOdnZWk7oEImAPUnZ2dnUVZ_sDinZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Once purchased a small flashlight with a fluorescent (6") built into the
side, and a switch that let you decide which one to turn on. Ran on 4 AA
batteries, for several hours. Wife fell in love with it, but I fear it
will not last forever (it has already lasted 20 years of intermittent
use). Wondering if I could build her something similar, since I can't find
anything like that at the sporting goods store any longer. I have a
background in electronics and a workshop with a junkbox that won't quit..
And patience. Unfortunately, Google doesn't seem to have what I am
looking for readily accessible. Everything I see there seems to deal with
household AC. I am guessing that a device such as I describe would make
use of a switching power supply, but I have no idea what voltage would
ultimately be used for an F4T5CW bulb. Or what frequency of alternating
current (or whether alternating current would even be used.) Any ideas on
where I could find info, and possibly schematics? This one would be
eternally gratefull.
Many thanks,
Dave
Found this, which looks interesting from the tinkerer's perspective.
http://www.zetex.com/3.0/appnotes/apps/an1.pdf
Thinking about tackling it just for fun. What think y'all? My only real
concern is the transformer, and what to wind it on/whether it matters if I
use 32 AWG enamal-coated wire instead of 34/36 gauge wire for windings #1
and 5, and 28 guage for windings #2/3/4. Ideas?
Thanks all...
Dave
As Phil Allison attempted to point out, the tube you mentioned will
not meet your design requirements of hours of runtime from two AA
Alkaline cells. You might choose newer breed NiMH like Sanyo
Eneloops that hold up to (? Forget exact specs, about 80% charge for
a year), or regular NiMH for a bit longer runtime but a need to
perpetually recharge the flashlight due to high self-discharge rate
when not used. Either will have longer runtime than an alkaline cell
at this discharge rate if kept near fully charged.
Phil also linked a spec sheet for the tube you mentioned, as a 4W tube
it's rated for 135 lumens (initial, new). Not particularly efficient
by today's standards, you would be better off using something like 2 x
Cree XR-E LEDs (about 100 lumen per watt) driven at less than peak
output to retain near maximum efficiency.
Without optics in front of them, they'll light a wide area similar
enough to the result with a fluorescent tube. You can find reasonably
good deals on them, ~ $10 for the better R(n) rated ones, and very
inexpensive driver boards, $2 to 5 each generally depending on which
one you choose) to use 2 x AA or other typical battery combinations at
places like http://www.dealextreme.com or http://www.kaidomain.com.
Only catch is they ship from the Orient so it may take 2 weeks or
more, or a prolonged wait if something is out of stock.
The resulting homemade flashlight using LEDs would also likely be
smaller than using fluorescent.
However, if you really want to go fluorescent you can pick up inverter
boards and tubes in various lengths as a finished product for cheap
from various places that sell computer case modification parts. For
example:
http://www.svc.com/clk4wt2.html
While not able to run from 3V as 2 x AA cells, it'll probably run from
4, maybe 6 at most, AA cells at higher current. No guarantees about
that, but I do recall another light kit I bought there which ran
acceptably at 7V input (I didn't try to go any lower than this). Some
inverters may start out rated for 5V instead of 12V which would make
more sense, here is one:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16565
.
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