Homemade torch quest

[hman123467]

Hello everyone I am just starting out on a homemade torch using a 50 watt halogen downlight bulb and an electric drill battery. I would like some thought on this as the body is wood but the area where the globe holder is being fitted in place is metal. Should I put a small fan in the back of the torch to keep it cool or not?

 

[alfredeneuman]

A 50 watt bulb is bound to wear the battery down in short order. These bulbs get incredibly hot, and there is a risk of fire.

BTW, a torch is what the people down under call a flashlight.

 

[Beemer533]

I would go with LED for an application like this.. As mentioned, a 50w halogen will kill that battery in short order.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Old folks used to say 'torch' for flashlight here in the South.

Pagan ritual?

Charles

 

[JABgj]

For lots of info on flashlights/torches, batteries, bulbs and hacks go here.............
www.candlepowerforums.com

Stanley (don't know if available in AUS) makes a HID rechargeable flashlight
that is pretty cool.

 

[AndyA]

I have a flashlight/torch built with a motorcycle battery and a 50 watt MR16 bulb. It'll burn for about 30 minutes before it gets dim. The bulb gets burning hot!

I switched to a LED bulb. The LED bulb is a little less bright than the halogen. I've yet to find out how long it'll burn before it starts getting dim. I highly recommend the LED.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Pagan ritual?

Charles

Where's the "hoods"?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Where's the "hoods"?

I found several of those images on Google Images, but decided that it would be best not to show them. Was actually looking for a cartoon type drawing of a torch mob, just didn't find one.

Charles

 

[hman123467]

Thank you everyone for your help and advice And for all the photos. Although my version uses a 14 volt drill battery and an enclosed case with a cooling fan and I will send in a pic of it very soon. Probably some time tomorrow (AEST:Australian Eastern standard time).

 

[hman123467]

I will send in a pic of it very soon. Probably some time tomorrow (AEST:Australian Eastern standard time).

Didn't live up to that one

Actually, it worked. Very well. After I got a 4AH SLA battery

Then I went onto 100w LED. The Heatsink was an uneven plate of metal so I could only turn it on for 10s at a time. 30 on cold days. Used a cheapo Chinese 8A transformer to up the power to 35v. Blew it up after about a month so I bought a 15A model. Works fine. Upgraded battery to 7A along with an old heatsink for an AMD Athlon. Never overheats and can run for up to 30m on a full charge.


Is about 8400 Lumen. Draws 14A@12V. I'm thinking of getting a CREE LED to bring it to about 10,000Lumen

Also, the battery sticks out of the top. Going to have to secure that with a bit of metal or make a better enclosure

NOW HERES THE INTERESTING PART (that I REALLY,REALLY,REALLY wish I had a video of)!!!

usually when you shine a spotlight on a rabbit it will stand still and you can walk out and pick it up if you keep the spotlight on him. If you shine this out at the rabbits, they come RUNNING towards you. We had some great rabbit stew that night ��

If I try to do that now only 1 or 2 will come running. When I did it in the first place, about 30-40 came running

Sorry for being almost a year late
Cheers,
hman out��

(Rate the torch if you want out of 10! I rate it 7.5/10)

 

[danfromsyr]

I found several of those images on Google Images, but decided that it would be best not to show them. Was actually looking for a cartoon type drawing of a torch mob, just didn't find one.

Charles

I just searched on the exact words in your post

 

[Falcon67]

LED, Not Halogen. I replaced the incandescent bulbs in our heavy "torches" and I have yet to replace batteries in the last year. Our younger grandson plays with the 3 D cell unit for hours at a time.

 

[G_P]

What are you trying to accomplish with your custom built light that a normal handheld flashlight cannot do?

 

[hman123467]

What are you trying to accomplish with your custom built light that a normal handheld flashlight cannot do?

Trying to make it go further than a store bought flashlight and brighter than a store bought flashlight. From what I've seen down at my local electronics and hunting store (and even online UNLESS you include xenon arc lamps) then yeah, it accomplished that

 

[Lightman]

so you want a portable bright light?

 

[hman123467]

****........that's bright!
Makes me want to buy a Christie xenon arc lamp and use it to make a really powerful one!

But I do have 2 other 100w LEDs but not enough heatsinks