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Project Journals => Users Projects => Topic started by: Norm on April 26, 2012, 04:07:05 pm
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I noticed that DollarTree had new type of LED lights so I got 3 of them
to test out the 4 LEDs are in a diffusion lens and light up a 12ft. radius
quite nicely. .....but with 3 AAA batteries alkaline run time would be expensive
and short lived.
I could never understand how if these would run a light for say a half-hour
why NiCads C size 3 of them wouldn't run this light for at least an hour
and 8 sets of 3 in a string wouldn't run the light for 8 hrs. ?
[attachimg=1]
Norm.
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I have one also. I would be interested in what you discover.
Kenneth
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Kenneth,
First I just figured out that they run about 3 or 4 , 6hr.nights on AAA alkaline
batteries.
So next thing is to figure how long the 4LEDs will run on 3 C-size NiCads in series.
I'll keep you posted.
A fun thing will also be a stepper motor with a wind up weight to
power the 4LEDS if I'm not satisfied with the NiCads performance on them.
OK I'm off to go on the 1st step ...How easy it is for me to get inspired....on just
one reply!
Norm.
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A fun thing will also be a stepper motor with a wind up weight to
power the 4LEDS if I'm not satisfied with the NiCads performance on them.
OK I'm off to go on the 1st step ...How easy it is for me to get inspired....on just
one reply!
Norm.
Norm;
PM me your address and I will send you a 36 volt TDM from my stash of stuff. It has a loose magnet but the bearings seem fine. Probably work fine for one of your projects.
[attach=1]
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I have one also. I would be interested in what you discover.
Kenneth
Tested one of the lights on just alkaline .....new total voltage
4.5, 0.12 Ma. on for 3 hr. total voltage 4.1, 0.10 Ma.
gave it about 8 hrs. rest been on for about 45 minutes and the
voltage is now 3.51 .....checked another one that only 3.0 voltage
and is a definite drop in lumens, so I'm guessing about 6hrs. is the
tops for 4LEDs.
This was just a test for the alkaline.....next AA NiCads.
Norm.
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Tested one of the lights on just alkaline .....new total voltage
4.5, 0.12 Ma. on for 3 hr. total voltage 4.1, 0.10 Ma.
I'd be VERY surprised.
0.12 milliamps? I'd expect a slight glow from a single LED, but not much more.
Are you sure you didn't mean 0.12 AMPS (120 mA)??
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yes Ross, I did mean 0.12 Amps thanks....it ran 8 more hrs.
still pretty bright....so maybe the larger C size cells will work
after all.....I'm going to try them next......
Norm.
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Tested one of the lights on just alkaline .....new total voltage
4.5, 0.12 Ma. on for 3 hr. total voltage 4.1, 0.10 Ma.
gave it about 8 hrs. rest been on for about 45 minutes and the
voltage is now 3.51 .....checked another one that only 3.0 voltage
and is a definite drop in lumens, so I'm guessing about 6hrs. is the
tops for 4LEDs.
This was just a test for the alkaline.....next AA NiCads.
Norm.
30mA per LED is a lot for the type of LED I expect is in those.
Might consider adding a series 100 ohm resistor?
(between the battery and the rest of it)
The lumens will not be a lot less, but the hours will be a lot more!
"4.5, 0.12 Ma. on for 3 hr. total voltage 4.1, 0.10 Ma."
What brand of battery?
That's impressive for AAAs, and better than the Energizer charts.
See 'Constant Current Performance' at 100mA.
http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/E92.pdf
G-
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Ghurd,
Sunbeam from DollarTree was 8 for $1, but couldn't find the 8 in a pkg.
so I had to get the same ones only 4 in a pkg. instead of 8 ...same price.
Go figure ?
The same brand in AA works in my digital camera as long as you are
just previewing even takes a couple of still pics unless you try to run the
cam corder part ......beep ! and shut down !
Got a couple of 6 NiCads 3 in a series 2 string parallel 2.6 amp/hrs,
theoroetically.
Kinda these 4LED because they light up the room about as much as 9 LEDs
running on those NiCad 12 volt, 2.6 amp/hr. batteries .
would even be worth trying 3 D size alkaline cells and real small trickle charge
with a small solar cell ?
Norm.
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Won't be much light from the 4LED + 1 lights tonight.
Tried the big NiCad batt. and only lasted about 5 hrs.
got up this morning and was down to 2.3 volts and out.
Norm.
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Using 3 D size alkaline batteries in place of the 3 AAA's
ran across 10 D size ....so the 3 lights that I got will be
powered by the D size batteries tonight....
have a thought that I can recharge them since they won't
be discharged much about 100 mA. charge in 10 hrs. to each
shouldn't hurt them much ?
Norm.
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[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
Removed springs and such inside battery compartment
in place of the AAA's is now the connect type like on a 9 volt
wires connected to the 4 LEDs ....slot on side of battery
compartment the connectors are inside wires come thru a slot
in the side and soldered to the battery terminals, about a 10
min. job for me to glue the batterys together and solder connecting
tabs on batteries.
No resistor on this one the other one with 101 ohm resistor too dim
with very little drain on battery .
With out the resistor....too high of a drain.... need a happy medium
50 ohm ?
The 4 position slide switch,
1...off
2 other LED on
3 blinking red and blue LED on
4 the 4 LEDs on
could be
1 ...OFF
2 ...4 LEDS on with 100 ohm
3....4 LEDs on with 50 ohm
4....4 LEDs on no resistors.
Thinking about turning it over and putting enough solar cells to restore 100%
as I calculate it only uses about 10 or 15 % it should work out
rather well even on non-rechargable ? batteries.
Guys...or Gals....any comments ?
Norm.
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Like the switch arrangement you propose.
I think 56 ohm is a standard size. You could parallel two of the 56 ohm to cut the resistance in half, I think or series them to make the 112 ohm. It's been awhile since I have played with resistors so I could have that backwards.
I have been thinking about charging with solar cells since you started.
Also I thought about a dollar store three cell flashlight, C or D size to hold the batteries or a homemade pvc battery holder with junk flashlight parts.
Keep it up Norm, I check your progress everyday.
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I like these glued together batteries and the wires or tabs solder
directly onto the battery terminals so easily .....why don't they
have tin coated containers and terminals on NiCads like this ?
Instead of having to weld on tin tabs that cost a $couple of thousand
for a machine to weld tabs onto ?
These alkaline batteries seem to work out real well .
Googling up ....seems like the biggest thing about charging
alkaline is to charge before they get down too low and not to charge
at a very fast rate.
Well back to googling .....
Norm.
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Norm,
I'll get some 56 ohm 1/4W in the mail today.
RatShak doesn't have 56 ohm in the stores.
G-
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Like the switch arrangement you propose.
I think 56 ohm is a standard size. You could parallel two of the 56 ohm to cut the resistance in half, I think or series them to make the 112 ohm. It's been awhile since I have played with resistors so I could have that backwards.
I have been thinking about charging with solar cells since you started.
Also I thought about a dollar store three cell flashlight, C or D size to hold the batteries or a homemade pvc battery holder with junk flashlight parts.
Keep it up Norm, I check your progress everyday.
[attachimg=1]
No need for flashlight for batteries.....shrinkplastic that I salvaged from Bruce's
NiCad paks.....just cut to fit with and overlapping seam.....wrap around batteries
some rubber bands to hold temporarily whilegluing with instant glue.
Then just a little bit of heat to shrink on the ends ....put the whole works in
a wooden box with light attached spring on one end and silverplated thumbtack on other
end.
Need some shrink plastic I can send you some for 3 or 4 batteries if you don't
have any?
Got the 56 ohm resistors from Ghurd and they work just about right....not too
bright nor too dim.
Great fun in NE Ohio on just pennys ....er couple dollars a day. ;D
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Norm;
Are you saying those yellow wraps around those 18 volt packs is reused for shrink covering on those cells?
Thanks.
Tom
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Norm;
Are you saying those yellow wraps around those 18 volt packs is reused for shrink covering on those cells?
Thanks.
Tom
Yes Tom, That's what I'm saying (which makes me think how many of these wraps
were carelessly thrown away many ....including me)
Sorry about not answering this sooner....Yikes ...almost a week been busy with
some real yard cleaning over at my daughter's place.
.....and on this project....the biggest point about using these 'D' alkaline batteries
is that they replace the $little, $$$little AAA batteries even if you couldn't recharge
the D batteries.
.....and furthermore I've tried the recharging bit and discovered that you really have
to concentrate on this...from 1.7 volts each once it gets down to about 1.3 ....it's too
much and it just don't seem worth the effort....at least when you're pedal charging,
(unless you are more interested in keeping in shape than charging batteries).
(back to the yellow wrap reuse bit )
I used to take the 18 volt paks and carefully cut a nice straight cut
to unwrap these paks so I could reuse them.
Then I figured out how I could cut the top and bottom off and slip
the ends off like caps about an inch from the end.
Taking the middle section with the batteries still inside the tube....
I put it in the freezer....(outside in a snowbank in the winter, because
Barb didn't like those things in Her refrigerator ! :o )
, for about an hour.. then wack it across the edge of (Barb's ) kitchen
counter.....(man....these people just don't seem to get a grasp on what is
really important !) anyways once the less bonded glue seperates from the
stack of cylinders... it falls out of the sleeve and I rearranged the cells
so they were all in the same direction....put them back in the sleeve...
and they kind of wedge back in line...reglue them together where they
stick out beyond the ends of the sleeve parallel the terminals on each
end and I had a 6 volt ...3.9 amp/hr battery....slip the caps that I had
cut off... and you could hardly tell the difference between it and the original.
[attachimg=1]
So here are 4 of them with each having a 56 ohm resistor.....
each unit will last a lot longer probably.....than the 36 AAA
batteries that it replaces (12000 mA. (D)....1000mA. (AAA)).
So that's about a $1 for the 3 D batteries plus the time putting it together
....against about $9 worth of AAA batteries.
It's difficult to convey the enthusiasm I have for the conservation
potential this project.
Norm.
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If you think your wife doesn't understand that stuff in her freezer Norm, try a disassembled Briggs in the
dishwasher. :o
Just one of life's little lessons I learned once. Just once.
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You know of course you have to presoak the parts
in kerosene before you wash them in the dishwasher. ;D
Norm.
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You know of course you have to presoak the parts
in kerosene before you wash them in the dishwasher. ;D
Norm.
If you have a gas stove, with a pilot light...
Probably want to move the bucket of kerosene
from the kitchen to the living room.
Remember- Safety First!
G-
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Well I'm happy to report that the 4LED + 1 light works real
good..with the 3 Dsize batteries....something that even a beginner would enjoy assembling,
not too difficult, with the 56 ohm resistor they (3 sets) have been
lasting for days and days. for a couple of bucks they seem to be a bargain....
quite superior to one of those little solar lights that seemed to be such a
bargain at 3-$5 each with less light than a birthday candle !
As I've said before the alkaline batteries don't seem to be worth making a great
effort to recharge ...but if one were to have a small solar panel with just
a few solar cells might be worthwhile to keep putting some of the juice back
into the alkaline cells what was taken out the night before...
So anyone out there that is interested....try it...with alkaline cells
sure does last a lot longer than those AAA alkaline batteries.
think you will enjoy it.
Norm.
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Norm,
Keep an eye out for BIG rejected camping lights with
fluorescent bulbs.
The bigger the better.
Some use 8 D batteries (12V).
Can get some serious hours with 3 LEDs in series.
Naturally, LEDs instead of the fluorescent bulb.
With the camping season getting ready to start,
people will be disposing of those battery eaters.
(that means watch the curbs on garbage day) ;)
G-
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Norm,
Where did you get your lights.
I have two that were given to me and I would like a few more.
I have an idea along the lines that Ghurd.
I have one of those battery eaters already.
Kenneth
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Went back and read the first post, duh!
Dollar Tree.
Kenneth
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Ken .....Yep that's right...DollarTree....they just work so great
with the 3 D size alkaline and turning on the 4 LEDs thru the
56 ohm resistor in series....on at bedtime and off when we get
up in the morning almost a month now....will switch to c size
NiCads when they ever get dim....
Norm.
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I've tried a couple of these lights lately with the rechargable
c size NiCads hooked up the same way as alkaline D batteries....
http://www.anotherpower.com/board/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=476.0;attach=1027;image
and now all I would need is someone to sell me some mini
solar panels adequate to recharge one of these in the daytime?
Norm
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Hi Norm
Have you looked at using something like one of these LED drivers rather than a resistor? Most of the drivers use a standard circuit that allows you to set the current in the LEDs by changing one resistor.
http://dx.com/s/led+driver
I've had a few things from DealExtreme and with free post for a lot of things you really can't go wrong for the money, even if it turns out to be a paper weight (something that has yet to happen to me!!).
I guess that the 'head lights' that cyclists use have a similar driver and may end up in the junk pile occasionally.
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I think this was the biggest /best thing about when I first
tried using alkaline....as I guess the internal resistance
limits the current but they do wear out.
So with NiCad, which I have switched over to recently they
seem to work pretty good even without a resistor I sure
would be thinking about using a driver except I really don't
know where to start ....these NiCads start out at like 4volts
when Fully charged and 1.3 amp/hrs. after about 6hrs down to
3.6.... I think.....I'll have to quit for now bed time and time to turn
'em on....I'll check the voltage on one now and about 6 hrs from now.
Thanks for the help so far frackers
Norm.
Oh BTW not too many cyclist in our area that
travel at night and if they did they just use the street lights....
can you believe that around here at night there are some
cyclist and pedestrians at night wear dark clothing....they seem
to have complete disregard for motorists inability to see them
that's why I dislike driving at night ....couple of times swerved
barely avoided hitting them.
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I think what will be my next project in regards to this
will be to take a clipboard where I can place all these lights
at once and they'll be connected and ready to get charged.
show you guys a pic when I get done today.
Norm :)
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Looking forward to the pic, I may have some ideas for you regarding a cool method to charge these if they are portable etc..
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Maybe I can get to it before the end of the week.....
just finished Kurt's Makita batt packs touch and go
for a lit tle bit but finally figured it all out after I got
thru with the first one.
Now on to the lights but taking a little bit of rest for
a day ...try working on it tomorrow.
Norm.
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I noticed that DollarTree had new type of LED lights so I got 3 of them
to test out the 4 LEDs are in a diffusion lens and light up a 12ft. radius
quite nicely. .....but with 3 AAA batteries alkaline run time would be expensive
and short lived.
I could never understand how if these would run a light for say a half-hour
why NiCads C size 3 of them wouldn't run this light for at least an hour
and 8 sets of 3 in a string wouldn't run the light for 8 hrs. ?
(Attachment Link)
Norm.
checking to see if this pic is still available if it is......
update on this pictured as it is a 3/4 thin wall tube has been glued ....quite a few
have had this 5" tube glued along side of them in fact.
I then stick a 3 cell c size NiCad batterys in the tubes
run wires that have been soldered to the + and - terminals of the light,
solder wires to thumb tacks snip off the points and grind the snipped ends
smooth put small magnets on the ends of the + and - terminals of the batterys
this works quite well . The only thing the magnets are to strong they'll push
away the other magnet when placed on a table from about 2 inches away.....
only need ones that are strong enough to repel about 1/2 inch away anyone
have some for sale that size or can tell me what strength so I can order some?
Norm
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Here is a pic of one of the 4LED + 1 lights that I glue the tube to
the batt when fully charged (about 4.1 v) last for about 6-9 hrs at
about 85 % full brilliance quite satisfactory .....I charge 3 of these 3cell
batterys + 1 loose one in the E-cane .....takes about 2 hrs with a wall wart
12 volt charger (800 m/a ) been doing this for a couple of 3 mos.
[attachimg=1]
Norm