The Lynx X_Lamp
To the best of my knowledge the Lynx represents the worlds first bimetal constructed lamp, having a body of aluminium but with double track copper heat conductors.
The lamp is built on lessons gained from experimentation and also upon the design of my pre-existing range of lamps based on Oldham headsets. Main issues with the Oldham conversions are the limitations of the Oldham switch and also space limitations inside the lamp. However the heat conduction system that is build into these lamps performs remarkably well.
There are two versions of this new lamp being produced, one is designed to run off the existing Trigon 8V battery system, the other on the MagnumStar 12V system, however the MagnumStar is now discontinued.
The more important principles embodied in the Lynx are easily summarised.
#1 Regardless or mass or thickness copper conducts heat faster than aluminium, thermal conductivity is a product of the material not of its mass or thickness. The thermal conductivity of copper is about double that of aluminium. A mass of aluminium can absorb a lot of heat, however unless dissipation to ambient is possible heat will continue to build up. In other words, the mass simply enables a stay of execution before thermal shutdown occurs. It is possible to use copper effectively for this purpose without creating unacceptable weight by simply using thinner copper which works just as well.
#2 A caplamp has to be a realistic size and to simply cram as many high power emitters into it as possible like some of the Chinese torches obviously leads to a reduction in the size of the reflectors and a consequent scattering of light, not to mention depletion of the battery.
#3 The most efficient design electronically is achieved by wiring the emitters in series so as to match the input voltage. Parallel wiring to a voltage mismatched random array of battery cells like a lot of Chinese torches and bike lights is a rubbish design, however this is the only way that different emitters can be powered at differing current levels such as mixing say a beam with a flood. The Lynx uses XML-2 U2 emitters wired in series for each array of beams and floods and hits the battery for about 0.7 watts per 100 lumens at walk mode. Remember the Oldham bulb lamps, 50 lumens for 4 watts, ouch.
#4 All of my designs mount LEDs on the front of a copper plate, with driver electronics on the rear. This means that they share the same heat platform and so enable the thermal shutdown control to be in tune with the LEDs. Comparing this to similar lamps, most will mount the LEDs at the back of the lamp with the electronics on the same plane. Obviously this would present problems finding room for arrays set behind reflectors or optics, so there is a necessity for my design method anyway. In relation to the aforementioned mounting it can easily be appreciated that the heat will travel to the back of the lamp, while the heatsink fins are on the circumference of the body. My method takes heat in both directions, directly to the circumference of the lamp, and to the rear via a conductor which doubles as a means of retaining the LED module. The rear of the lamp is in the form of a copper back plate which readily absorbs heat and conducts it to ambient. The lamps can easily be personalised by engraving the name of the owner or whatever on the copper backplate.
#4 An Oldham or similar front glass is secured by a screw on bezel rather than the machine screws favoured by other lamp manufacturers. The bezel is of a thick strong and hefty design which will protect the most vulnerable area of the lamp. Removal of this enables the removal of the LED module attachment screw and the lifting out of the module for service attention when needed. I am not a fan of polycarbonate and feel that glass is best option but needs protection around the circumference.
#5 Helmets are no longer manufactured with brackets. These new lamps follow the current general trend of using a bracket which allows tilt adjustment and is designed to attach directly to the helmet. The bracket holes match exactly the holes of a Petzl lamp bracket so that the items will be interchangeable. I will be making up a few lamp mounting brackets with spade type attachments for helmets with a lamp bracket.
#6 The low battery warning light of the more powerful Oldham head conversions is replaced by LED arrays to indicate battery state, these will give a good indication throughout the discharge range.
#7 The old emergency light is also dumped in favour of a new pilot light which will normally give about 40 lumens or about 25 lumens if the batteries are depleted and electronically disconnected. Being left with no light rather than a gradually dimming one has been the bugbear of higher voltage lamps, this overcomes this by using the residual voltage left in the power pack. All the user does if lamp goes out is flick the beam switch the other way to get pilot. The output is surprisingly bright, I have seen mining lamps hardly much better on beam. The emitter is Cree XPG behind a very clever little optic from Ledil.
The pilot is a very good light and eminently suitable for use in company where even the Walk Mode could cause discomfort to other people.
#8 The main emitters are XML2 U2s with both beams and floods being driven at 3 settings with a maximum of fractionally under 3 amps. Two separate switches allow beams and floods to be used in combination, however when used in this way the floods are limited to a maximum current of 1 amp to keep down the ‘battery hit’ and also to keep the heat generated to within the bounds of the more powerful lamp.
Both lamps are essentially similar inside except that the 8V lamps use 2S emitters, while the 12V lamp uses 3S emitters. Other differences are necessitated by interior space.
The Lynx X5000
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One of my major goals has been to reduce the weight of the MagnumStar which is now discontinued. The Magnumstar weighed a massive 455 grams, the Lynx LX5000 weighs in at about 325 grms.
Just like the MagnumStar the lamp has a separate switch box however this is now reduced in size as the low battery warning system is inside the lamp. The cabling is through a clear silicone tube which is very flexible; I was concerned that pressure could be put on the lamp so as to affect its tilt setting. The switches are of a non corroding type and potted inside the switch box. This design is exceptionally user friendly, which really with a lamp of this power is necessary as the wearer will be doing a lot of flicking between modes. I shall also be looking at feasibility of producing this lamp with integral switches like the X3000.
Internally, the lamp has basically the same components as the MagnumStar with a few changes. Like the MagnumStar it runs on a 12V input, either from a new compact 6 cell 5.2 AH power pack designed to be carried in an inside pocket or the big 10 AH belt pack which was sold with the MagnumStar. Please note that I still produce these.
The emitters are XML2 U2s with both beams and floods being driven at 3 settings with a maximum of fractionally under 3 amps to give a maximum output of about 2900 lumens. The MagnumStars XPG based supplementary floods are dumped, with the XML floods switchable together with the Beams, however when used in this way the floods are limited to a maximum current of 1 amp to give an output of 1500 lumens. This gives the lamp a theoretical maximum of about 4400 lumens.
The beams ‘walk mode’ drives the LEDs at a current of 200 mA to give an impressive 300 lumens. This is possible because the lamps internal temperature remains well below the XML 2 ‘magic temperature limit’ of 25 degrees, at this setting its drawing 2.1 watts at nominal voltage.
The Pilot light (Emergency or Pilot) is at about 40 lumens or 30 lumens if battery flat and electronically disconnected, however tests have confirmed that 12V 3 series Li Ions will come back on line in seconds. Its hits the battery for 120 mA, how many days it would burn for on the 12V battery is something I have yet to work out.
The low battery warning is in the form of 2 bright blue LEDS bright enough to shine on a wall in front of you so need to take helmet off. Both bright is battery good, one dims to eventually go out at battery half way, then the other dims to go out at battery on reserve. They are, in fact on a good battery bright enough to get around with if you are into blue lighting.
With this new lamp I am offering a new compact 12V Li Ion battery designed to fit into an inside pocket inside overalls or an oversuit. This eliminates trailing wires, belt mounted batteries, and even batteries on the helmet. I am using one of these and you just don’t know you have it on you. It utilises high quality high capacity cells and I have found it suitable for all day trips even with some full power usage.
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The Lynx X3000
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This lamp is similar in performance to the Trigon, it has beams at 200, 650, or 2000 lumens with walk mode of 200 lumens at 1.4 watts at nominal voltage taking advantage of XML2 technology.
The floods are at 100, 650, or 2000 lumens, and can by used in combination with the beams but at a reduced maximum output to spare the battery. The combined max is about 3000 lumens
The lamp operates by two separate toggle switches mounted into the lamp. These are of very high quality, waterproof, and manufactured by a German company. They need no external covers or anything to maintain waterproof integrity.
The Pilot light (Emergency or Pilot) is at 40 lumens or 20 lumens if battery flat and electronically disconnected.
The battery fuel gauge is a strip of four blue LEDs indicating a battery level of 25%,50%,75%, or 100%.
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Weight 280 grams.
This lamp uses the same 8V battery system as the Trigon, which there is no intention to discontinue as long as I can obtain new Oldham headsets. Trigons are also now fitted with XML2 U2 beam emitters and have been for a while.
The old MagnumStar had the advantage of much more flood output than the new lamp, which was very useful for photography. Unfortunately it was a very heavy lamp and very finicky for me to produce. The lighter version of the new lamp does not really do much more than the Trigon except cater for those who like to mix beam and flood. I have to say that middle flood and low beam do provide very pleasing an effect.
The X3000 lamp is £225 with 4 cell sealed power pack, charger, and fitting kit etc.
The X5000 is £260 with the compact ‘six pack’ power pack, plus charger etc.
I can quote lamp only prices for anyone who already has one of my high voltage lamps as the new lamps are fully compatible with the Trigon and MagnumStar system, but these two systems are different voltages so NOT interchangeable.
Unfortunately, I still have some minor issues to resolve before any of these lamps are offered for sale.
My avatar is a poor likeness.