> Russell - just curious: can you discuss the circuit 
> details?

Not yet. When they become readily available I probably can 
as they are eminently reverse engineerable in the normal 
manner. Once somebody else publishes the circuit from 
reverse engineering it I can comment on it :-).

Basically it's applied common sense carried to the extreme 
as much as possible. Simplicity and cheapness in achieving 
desired functionality is important. Cost is low. Boost 
converter. Uses very time honoured and very very cheap SMPS 
IC with a little magic to transform its efficiency. Multiple 
brightnesses. Two lighting modes - very nice. How waterproof 
they are will depend on final design and production 
decisions which are not in my hands but I'm hoping that they 
will be near 100%. Should be able to be left in weather all 
day regardless of conditions. Constant output at all battery 
levels for a given mode and brightness. Attempts to protect 
battery from over and under charge subject to the need to 
build it for approx $0. A little more - read it in the 
patent documentation when it becomes available :-). Anon. 
I'm looking forward to having a few around to use :-). Note 
that this is not my product. I'm limited to telling largely 
what you can infer from the website or techo stuff that 
doesn't affect it's commercial edge. It should be a really 
great product and I'm not aware of anything that matches it 
in its market niche.


        Russell

 

-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist