I have started this as a blow by blow account of a new one off project. It started with a Lynx headset trashed by a machining error which I didn't know what to do with. In the end I decided that cut down it would make a good photo lamp. Picture is the result.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-97466[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-97466[/linkphoto][/link]

Using my new lamps underground I have become aware of how a low power beam combined with a more powerful flood can give an even lighting effect, and I have become interested in the photo possibilities.
Intention is to combine 2 series bare emitters with 2 series beams at low drive current, with option for both or flood only. The project will use spare bits and pieces like the body as much as possible, I still have a few no longer used XML T6s lying around. Easy driving of the beams will be from a newly introduced simple linear driver from ON Semiconductors.

Next job is to assemble a copper LED module, pics when its done.
I will get some pics up of previous projects as soon as can.

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To continue:
My first was a sort of self contained unit built early 2009 and using 3 X P7s, (remember these?). Made in a plastic box and with copper heatsinking it had a sort of self designed switch which was the first thing to fail.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-48235[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-48235[/linkphoto][/link]

Next attempt went for simple, and simple worked and is still working. I took a scrap Maglite and using the head and base plug made the lamp shown in the picture. Its used a chinese 3 bore reflector and 3 X SSC P7s, unfortunately wired 2 series plus on parallel, best I could do in 2009 as I wasn't into 12V then. Swiching was dead simple, desgned to plug into one of my 7.8V power packs there was no switch, plug in and it comes on.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-97467[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-97467[/linkphoto][/link]

Lesson here somewhere as its still going strong. Waterproof and Roy proof it may not be clever but it works. Light diffusion when required is simple, I put it into a plastic bag.

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The most recent started when I obtained a Chinese underwater lamp from HK. A bit on the heavy side at 550 grams I eventually decided it would possibly make a future diving lamp or similar if I could get hold of an IP68 switch.
In meantime I fitted an IP67, running off a 12V pack I use it as a tent light on low flood, a general hand torch, and a photo lamp on the more powerful flood settings. I used up a few spare T6s for the beams and 3 XML2s for the floods as they came be obtained on 12mm bases. These are mounted on the outer edge of the reflector unit. Driver is same as my headlamps on 3 settings, no silly flashes. Proving to be a useful light, getting a bit marked now though.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-97468[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-97468[/linkphoto][/link]

If anyone out there fancies a go at anything here just ask for links or whatever

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Looking at this thread is starting to remind me of a western movie I once saw, "The good, the Bad, and the Ugly"
:lol:

Anyway, I have just finished the latest, and I have to say its totally wicked.
A lot of the stuff came out of my oddments and trash box, as I said a damaged Lynx headset machined down, 2 World War 2 surplus T6s, and couple of old XPGs, a spare 8/12V driver, and some other bits.

I used 2 of the ON Tech linear drivers parallel rather than experiment with resistors to give 300mA to the XPGs behind the same LEDIL optics as my X_lamps pilot, if it was looking good in those why do something different here.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-97505[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-97505[/linkphoto][/link]

Knitter switch, the most expensive item, position one is floods through same 3 modes as the X_Lamps, position 2 same as before but with the twin XPGs at 300 mA.

Main driver is behind the floods same as in the lamps.
Cant wait to try it out underground, I may get a life someday.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-97506[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-97506[/linkphoto][/link]

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I tried this out the weekend at Cwmystwyth and I feel pleased. The low beams give a fairly even back ground illumination.
The lamp is just placed behind a rock on the packwall on the left.

🔗Personal-Album-128-Image-97625[linkphoto]Personal-Album-128-Image-97625[/linkphoto][/link]

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