Ultracapacitor torches · AditNow Community

Mine exploration, photographs and mining history for mine explorers, industrial archaeologists, researchers and historians

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

16 years ago

Has anybody come across these? http://www.nightgear.co.uk/p/4307/511-Tactical-Torches-Light-for-Life/511-Torch-511-Light-for-Life-Torch-UC3400.htm

It's the first of it's type I've found; uses a capacitor instead of batteries, and stores a 23.5 hour charge in 90 seconds 😮 Max output of 270 lumens from 3 LEDs (can't find what emitters it uses - but they're clearly not top end output to get 270 lumens from 3) and claims 50,000 recharge cycles.

Interesting bit of kit.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Wanna join the discussion?! Login to your AditNow Community forum account or Register a new forum account

JR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

😮 £154 !!?? For a torch, and not a top end one at that. OK the power source is interesting but the rest.....? :thumbdown:

sleep is a caffeine deficiency.

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

I looked up the torch on a US site and got a run time of 60mins at 90lm, then another 30mins at 25lm. US$170.

The ultracaps are basically large capacitors measured in mulitple Farad's (normal caps are in the pico to micro Farad ranges). The charge time would be very quick, as stated.

I had not realised that they had got so big in value (to allow this sort of powering a device level) - I think I need to look up the data specs on the new breed of ultra caps and see what value they have them at now.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

tiger99
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Ultracapacitors store far less energy than a battery of similar size, cost or weight. And, they fail quite abruptly sometimes.

I think that this is just a marketing gimmick, as there is clearly no advantage whatsoever, except maybe the charging time.

I have designed equipment which used an ultracapacitor, but in the end we rejected it on grounds of reliability.

Alan

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Ahhhh... the old "It can output 270 lumens. It can run for 23.5 hours. But, er, not at the same time."

As I muttered a few weeks back, I suspect the next jump is going to be the use of Lithium-Polymer batteries - as are used in many mobile phones, without ill effects.

Whilst there's a concern about Li-Po batteries catching fire and being unsafe for helmet-mounting, I've kept a mobile phone in my pocket for several years and I'd consider that a much more vulnerable place! 😮

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

tiger99
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Lithium polymer can be adequately safe. The charger needs to have a backup system to prevent the safe voltage being exceeded in the event of a component failure, and the battery itself needs to be protected from physical damage, and have a fuse to prevent the effects of a short circuit in the wiring. These two conditions are achievable, for a modest cost and weight penalty.

A laptop-size lithium polymer in a belt pack would give you a fair number of lumens for quite a lot of hours. More than most of us would need, I think. Lighter than the lead-acid battery used by coalminers too.

My personal preference is to have the battery on the belt, and as little weight as possible on the head, but needs and preferences may differ.

Alan