A LED flashlight worth consideration

[DrPhoxinus]

The features of most LED flashlights complicate their use with microscopes.
That on/off switch, the battery, and a design that usually doesn't include a long on time.
For microscopy less is more

Well I found one that doesn't have those. When I saw this on ebay it looked liked a focusable led too short for a battery and a usb port for power. It took 6 weeks to come from China and I am delighted.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Zoom-Focu ... Swhs1eRSH0

I plugged it into a usb port on my notebook (typically such ports are limited to 500 ma) and it was pretty bright.
I then plugged it into a 5V USB 2 Amp block (see photo) and it was really bright. So brightness might be managed by the current limit of the 5V supply.

I plugged it into the block and let it run for 40 minutes. The metal base which serves as a heat sink was definitely warm but not uncomfortably hot. I have ordered 2 more

The diameter of the lens housing is 26 mm and the metal base 29 mm

I will be interested in hearing from other forum members who will be trying this "flashlight"

Gerard

[PeteM]

Thanks for the mention and link.

[DrPhoxinus]

You are welcome Peter,

Apparently I bought the first one, and the vendor has sold a dozen since my post.

I have two Ortholux I scopes without their lamphouses, one doesn't even have a collector lens.

So this LED flashlight seemed great for those microscopes.

I am always looking for small gizmos. Some years back I found a telescope eyepiece filter set for under $10 that worked well over the field diagram

Gerard

[deBult]

Tnx for the recommendation, ordered 2.

[DrPhoxinus]

This is a follow up.

Did anyone find them useful?

Gerard

[DonSchaeffer]

I have found that trying to make use of light from above the stage including sidelight is difficult. The microscope does not handle top stage or sideways light well. I bought light-conducting cable to make a kind of light probe originating from a lamp, but the success was limited. I acquired the light shown below. It plugs into a USB port--the LED pointed into the condenser above the light source. I mounted some board on the bottom of it. Sliding this back and forth between the light source and the condenser gives me very flexible block filtration. I can turn on the LED lamp to supplement the light source from different position as well. I do get some good lighting effects that way.

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[DrPhoxinus]

Don,
Your lightning gizmo seems interesting. I think I got something like yours as a free gift when I bought some heavy duty (10000 and 28000 maH) power banks. 28000 maH is about 33 watt hours of power, and my Dell notebook battery is 40 Watt hours so that is a lot of power to run a microscope LED light.

A disadvantage is it takes a LONG time to charge those things.

Gerard

[PeteM]

I bought a pair for a comparison scope. Appreciated the heads up and link - thanks Gerard.

[DonSchaeffer]

Don,
Your lightning gizmo seems interesting. I think I got something like yours as a free gift when I bought some heavy duty (10000 and 28000 maH) power banks. 28000 maH is about 33 watt hours of power, and my Dell notebook battery is 40 Watt hours so that is a lot of power to run a microscope LED light.

A disadvantage is it takes a LONG time to charge those things.

Gerard

Mine works of the USB port that I have powered by the household current, not the computer. There is no recharging.
I think we have the same light. I got with the power bank too. They designed the light to be plugged into the power bank. It doesn't have to be. It works on any USB hub.

[EYE C U]

RECHARGEABLE TORCHY FROM NEBO...3 LEVELS OF BRIGHTNESS

IMG_8021.jpg (116.18 KiB) Viewed 6277 times

[DonSchaeffer]

nice setup. How did you make that wonderful mount?

[EYE C U]

camera monitor mount from ebay..they are real cheap and good quality. drill and tap the flashlight and slide table top 1/4-20

[EYE C U]

machined off the light lens and replaced with a tiffen series 5 slip on adapter..hold a 32mm frosted glass filter and a series 5 filter...any color can be added

IMG_8358s.jpg (87.62 KiB) Viewed 6057 times

IMG_8356s.jpg (98.42 KiB) Viewed 6057 times

[DonSchaeffer]

I love innovation.