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[ATM] LED Musings
If we took the easy route and simply purchased an attractive, robust and
affordable LED flashlight then we wouldn't be on this list, would we?
No sir. We have to make our own telescopes, don't we? In doing so we spend
lots of time and money trying to enjoy idle time while saving money, which
is, of course, a decent definition of a "hobby".
So, in the spirit of enjoying idle time and saving money, may I direct your
attention to several interesting web pages. The first is
_http://www.hebeiltd.com.cn/?p=product_
(http://www.hebeiltd.com.cn/?p=product)
a Chinese company that sells a number of products at remarkable prices.
Let's open the lid and take a look inside....
In unit quantities -- and the prices drop dramatically for larger orders --
one can procure a 10-candela, 80-mW White LED for 17 cents, or a red
5-candela one for 6 cents. While looking around, check out the Peltier coolers, and
the DMMs for under 10 bucks.
So, you'd like to know that you're getting your money's worth, and don't
know what the heck a candela is? Check out
_http://www.intl-light.com/handbook/ch07.html_
(http://www.intl-light.com/handbook/ch07.html)
Nils Olof, our wise one, pointed us to a specific Maxim IC for driving LEDs.
In addition, Maxim actually has a wonderful collection of ICs made
specifically for driving LEDs in many different configurations. The Maxim web page
is at
_http://www.maxim-ic.com/_ (http://www.maxim-ic.com/)
Also check out their DC-DC converter ICs. Some of them can be configured
for constant-current output. A few of the boost converters will run off of a
single Lithium battery cell, or AA cell, or D cell. That should get your
heart beating faster...
While enjoying the passage of idle time, be sure to check out the offerings
of Linear Technology, a leader in switching power converter technology.
There's some really beefy converter stuff for the "Tool Time Tim" in us all.
_http://www.linear.com/index.jsp_ (http://www.linear.com/index.jsp)
-- Dave
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