The problem with the Silicon Chip one is that not only is the design over the top, but the reliability of the circuit board too. The Luxeon pucks are sealed and I've only ever had one fail was when I connected the power up to it reverse polarity. I NEED reliability.Humbug said:On 04/05/06 at 21:44:55 Treadly somehow managed to type:
>
> I found a 'good design'
> (http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/Lights4/Luxeon4.htm) for mounting
> Luxeons. It's a simple but neat design.
I've seen that one before - pretty neat. BUT. Last night while I was
looking around for Luxeon lighting ideas [1] I stumbled across this
http://www.pilom.com/BicycleElectronics/LEDhead.htm
[1] For the last month or so I've been messing around with PIC micros
for another purpose and spotted a bike light thing spread over two
issues of Silicon Chip mag - Apr and May 06 [3]. It's vastly
over-the-top for straight bike lights what with a charging circuit,
more "modes" than you can shake a stick at, need two of 'em (front and
rear) etc. so I figured that I'd rat their design and make actual bike
lights, front and rear drivers in one unit.
For tail lights I reckon a couple of red 1W Luxeons - one flashing, one
steady (mounted as far apart as possible) should do the job. For
headlights I figured a 3W white luxeon for "low" beam and a 5W jobbie
for "high" beam and both the 3W and 5W Luxeons on for a "super high"
beam. All managed and driven by a PIC micro to get the last bit of
usable charge from a power source of between about 5 and about 16 volts.
Thoughts anyone.
[2] http://www.microchip.com/
[3] http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_106372/article.html
The question for Suzyj - or anyone else come to that. Do you have any
recomendations for PCB layout software ? GPL for preference but cheap
will do if it has to... Linux, doze or even OpenVMS is fine.
--
Humbug
I've been using reflector brackets for my homemade lights. They're pretty adaptable. Another sort of bracket I've used for rack mounting and map holder mounting is one that I got from a marine supply place (Elizabeth St, Mel). They're for mounting things to railings on boats so they can do a fair range of diameters. Strong nylon and two screws. About $9 a pair.Humbug said:On 04/05/06 at 21:44:55 Treadly somehow managed to type:
>
> I found a 'good design'
> (http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/Lights4/Luxeon4.htm) for mounting
> Luxeons. It's a simple but neat design.
Not sure about mixing Luxeon wattages. Since they need different currents you might need separate drivers for each type.I've seen that one before - pretty neat. BUT. Last night while I was
looking around for Luxeon lighting ideas [1] I stumbled across this
http://www.pilom.com/BicycleElectronics/LEDhead.htm
[1] For the last month or so I've been messing around with PIC micros
for another purpose and spotted a bike light thing spread over two
issues of Silicon Chip mag - Apr and May 06 [3]. It's vastly
over-the-top for straight bike lights what with a charging circuit,
more "modes" than you can shake a stick at, need two of 'em (front and
rear) etc. so I figured that I'd rat their design and make actual bike
lights, front and rear drivers in one unit.
For tail lights I reckon a couple of red 1W Luxeons - one flashing, one
steady (mounted as far apart as possible) should do the job. For
headlights I figured a 3W white luxeon for "low" beam and a 5W jobbie
for "high" beam and both the 3W and 5W Luxeons on for a "super high"
beam. All managed and driven by a PIC micro to get the last bit of
usable charge from a power source of between about 5 and about 16 volts.
Thoughts anyone.
[2] http://www.microchip.com/
[3] http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_106372/article.html
The question for Suzyj - or anyone else come to that. Do you have any
recomendations for PCB layout software ? GPL for preference but cheap
will do if it has to... Linux, doze or even OpenVMS is fine.
--
Humbug
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