The Lynx X_12
This is not only the latest version of what I believe to be the world’s most powerful commercially available caplamp, but sets a new standard in efficiency in underground lighting.
The MagnumStar was the first lamp to put over 1000 lumens on someone’s head that was commercially available, albeit at a rather heavy weight. The last versions of this lamp used 3 series emitter arrays with an input voltage of approximately 12V. This was by far the best version of the lamp, however they dependant on a belt mount battery to support this voltage with a respectable burn time.
When I moved up to aluminium lamps the bi metal aluminium and copper construction proved to be a milestone in thermal conductivity and formed the basis of the first Lynx. The X12 possibly represents the culmination of the last few years of experimentation and development, and also takes advantage of the latest in Lithium Ion battery technology. It is also a ‘lamp system’ as it will be available with a choice of different power pack types and other accessories to be announced later.
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I have changed from naming lamps after output as the basic design of each lamp varies little.
The lamp gets its name from the fact that it uses a 12 volt cell configuration, actually 11.2 volts nominal. It’s my belief that this now represents the optimum in practical efficiency in a caplamp.
There is in my view a maximum practical size for a lamp, and also a practical minimum for a reflector or optic configuration that will generate a good beam pattern. Matching series wired LEDs to the input voltage is fairly engraved in stone with me, and so sets of 3 present the optimum equation. LEDs are at their most efficient at low drive currents, so 3 LEDs at low current is a lot better than say 1 at a higher current. I have dropped a naming convention based on output in favour of the one based on the voltage as I doubt that the basic design of this lamp will change, it’s too good.
The lamp described below is the flagship of a new series of lamps using the 12V design model. The driving force behind these is new lithium ion technology which enables higher capacity and discharge rates from just slightly larger cells. The result of this an amazing amount of punch and burn time from a small lightweight helmet mount battery pack containing 3 series array of cells.
Initial testing was on small battery pack of 3 ultra high discharge 18650 cells. The incentive was the long burn times that I was getting on my SAR with its 4 cell 5.2 AH pack, and the realisation that I had more than enough for the longest trips.
A three series array of cells also has a wider discharge band. A single cell is from 2.6V to 4.2V fresh off charge. A 2 series has twice this and a 3 series has three times this.
The lamp is the same in concept to the SAR2, both using the same headset and beaten copper LED mounting, backplate, switch configuration, and rear heatsink. However it replaces both the previous X6000 and the SAR due to the fact that with new battery technology its possible to run it at full power from a small 3 cell helmet mount power bank utilising the latest Sanyo 20700 Li Ion cells rated at over 4250 mAh, and also capable of high discharge.
This new high end model uses higher output Cree XP-L emitters in a smaller and lighter body of 260 grams than its X6000 predecessor. Also with the more user friendly repositioned switches and heatsinking recessed into the rear of the lamp.
The internal configuration of the lamp of 3 series beam and flood emitters is similar to the previous X6000 except for the higher output XP-L emitters behind smaller reflectors, and the central emitter being mounted right at the back of the lamp behind high spot reflector extending right to the front and exactly level with the smaller outside ones. Because of this the feature is not very noticeable and can only be spotted by careful examination. It should be noted that the heat generated by the spot beam will conduct directly to the rear heatsink which gives the lamp a more even heat dissipation.
This configuration also provides a particularly ‘crisp’ lighting effect which I find a joy.
The flood emitters are spaced as far apart as possible to avoid the situation of mutual heat feed, one or another
The whole planning of the LED configuration is to give an extremely powerful overall and even lighting effect which will light up the largest underground spaces in a spectacular manner. The full power performance is awesome, everything on at the same time outputs a massive 7050 lumens at 25 C with the rear heasink fins giving a better heat dissipation than its predecessor. The standard beam mode as I call it gives about 300 lumens, I can supply with a different setting if requested.
Most memorable test was at Whiskey Bottle Corner in the Rampgill Mine up at Nenthead where the whole place was lit up like Tesco.
The twin pilots of the X6000 are now replaced by a single pilot albeit driven at an increased 250 mA. The emitter is an XP-G 2 and outputs 126 lumens. It is driven by a high efficiency switch mode driver that handles the high input voltage overhead admirably running at an average of 80% efficiency and at nominal voltage of 11.1 volts hitting the battery for 80 mA.
An advantage of this design is the fact that it is capable of running at full output throughout the discharge range of the batteries, right down to the cut off point of 7.5V. This means that in an emergency it would power the lamp for three to four days from the helmet power pack.
It can also be combined with the low level flood to give a very nice overall lighting effect, battery hit about the same as standard beam.
The burn time from the optional 14 AH belt mount battery is approximately 7 days. The original Oldham miners lamp outputted 50 lumens for 12 to 16 hours from a battery that weighed about 5 LBS in old money. The later L16 about 90 lumens from a Li Ion battery that was much lighter but still needed mounting on a belt. The whole thing reminds me of the evolution of 19th Century warships, where ships were obsolete by the time they came to be launched, we are really in the same boat, pun unintentional, with modern technology.
The rear mounted switches are the more user friendly configuration same as the SAR 2 and it shares the same rear external heasinking which gives improved heat dissipation over and above that of the previous X6000.
The battery meter is switch activated same as the previous X6000 however the meter itself is behind the led module and can be read through a row of 4 holes same as the SAR2.
Although photographs of the lamp in use underground show no difference to the SAR2 which actually outputs more beam power, the increased and ‘crisper’ output is very noticeable to my eye; this has to be partially attributable to the high spot beam. Also I have selected high colour temperature ‘daylight’ quality emitters which again, to my eye, are better.
The SAR2 is a really good lamp but very finicky to produce, so this model is now reluctantly been discontinued.
With the new lamp comes a new range of 12V battery choices, the ones below are suitable for this lamp, others will be available for a new lower output lamp under development.
The 4.25 AH Helmet pack
This power pack will give about 20 hours light on beam standard mode. It utilises the latest Sanyo 4250 mAh 20700 Li Ion cells rated safe at up to 15 amps, but is electronically governed to 8 amps. The actual capacity is 4000 mAh, hence the quoted burn time.
This power bank will recharge to about 80% of its total capacity in less than an hour!!!!
So out of one cave or mine to the car, recharge while you have a coffee and bite to eat, then back underground with an almost replenished power bank.
Higher capacity versions of the same will be used as soon as Tesla 2170 cells become available, these will be 6 AH and probably expensive.
Below, 2600 mAh version (scorpion) on the left, the one suitable for this lamp on the right.
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The 14 AH Belt Mount Power Pack
This is a completely new design and replaces the previous blue PVC cased adapted Oldham MF casing based one and supports easily the lamps maximum output of over 7000 lumens.
It is of sturdy aluminium with a reinforced cable gland and is rated at IP 68, immersible for up to 5 metres for 1 hour. Being belt mounted it will of course be subjected for longer periods of immersion but at shallower depth.
It is also radically different in that it can be readily opened up so that the 3 serial battery packs can have their cells replaced if and when desirable. It is the first power bank I have designed that has removable cells and I may well be producing helmet mount ones in the future.
It is supplied with 12 Sanyo 3500 mAh cells, I cannot see anyone running this flat! It is rated at 14 AH at 11.1 volts.
As the cells are sealed inside a waterproof metal container there is a pressure relief valve fitted which vents at about 5 psi. Lithium Ion cells under extreme circumstances can experience a phenomena known as thermal runaway and vent gas.
I have to say in honesty though that I would not recommend this for the lamp over the helmet pack.
Charging
The slightly complicated balance chargers of the old blue belt battery have gone, replaced by a simple mains adaptor charger, red – green LED. Charge level can be read by connecting it to the lamp and reading the blue LED fuel gauge. Total recharge of the helmet pack is done in about a couple of hours.
Cost
The cost of the lamp together with the 4.25 AH power bank and charger is £325, same as the SAR2.
The next lamp
The next lamp in the new series, the ‘Scorpion’ is currently under development. With this I will be aiming to meet the higher IP68 immersion standard in a small lightweight lamp capable of high output. It is very innovative and nothing like anything I have produced before. A square design rather than round and GoPro mounted and compatible, what I can tell you is that it basically looks like an aluminium GoPro Hero with heat fins. I don’t know how this grabs you.
My avatar is a poor likeness.