Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Inexact change.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                                                                   

Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register. Please log in or create an account.

Gas Powered Flashlight

Not to be used while reading scary books under the bedsheets
  (+18, -4)(+18, -4)
(+18, -4)
  [vote for,
against]

Using a chainsaw this morning it occured to me the power being produced by the engine. 22cc 2-stroke engine is rated at about 1 HP. One HP is around 746 watts. 746 watts being created by a handheld motor got me thinking. Why not mount a small generator and halogen light in place of the "bar" and cutting chain of the chainsaw? The result, an variable output, very bright flashlight. Variable because you can let it idle, or throttle it up to produce more light. A 746 watt halogen flashlight.

This would be useful in situations where electricity isn't available to recharge batteries. The user would just have to fill up again. Or perhaps police could use the contraption to instill fear into after-dark criminals.

evilpenguin, Jul 16 2007

I thought of these http://www.sailgb.c...m_lantern_treklite/
Though what you describe is technically different [TheLightsAreOnBut, Jul 16 2007]

Miner's lamp http://images.googl...Den%26safe%3Dactive
[elhigh, Jul 16 2007]

Maglight Maglight
Thank's for the inspiration [acurafan07, Jul 17 2007]

Minor's lamp http://www.children...owlight&bc=lighting
[TheLightsAreOnBut, Jul 17 2007]

Batteries http://michaelbluejay.com/batteries/
More than anyone needs to know about batteries. [wagster, Jul 17 2007]

Hey everybody I actually built one, it also has an out put for 120 Volts AC http://treanhead.go...aspoweredflashlight
[treanhead, Feb 26 2008]

[link]






       "Yaaahhhh, Nyaahhh, Nyahhhhhh, Lyangggggggggg, Lyangggggggg."   

       "Tommy? Are you reading in there? Turn out that light and go to sleep!"
normzone, Jul 16 2007
  

       I say leave the chain saw bar on it, too. Then you have a practical, yet evil flashlight of horror. +
xandram, Jul 16 2007
  

       Love it. I'd want a +/-5cc V8 pocket version, though.
Ned_Ludd, Jul 16 2007
  

       How about using the engine off an R/C aircraft for an even smaller flashlight.   

       Cool idea!
Galbinus_Caeli, Jul 16 2007
  

       [Galbinus_Caeli] I thought of using different motors. The other motor I would have used would be one of the small nitro powered motors that go into RC cars. The advantage being this motor already has mounting holes and a output shaft ideal for custom linkage. The reason I thought of the chainsaw (besides being the this idea's inspiration) is it's power. Its actaully a very powerful motor. If you were to have an actual gas powered flashlight, I figured, why not make it ridiculously bright? --- Anyway, thank you and all you other Bakers
evilpenguin, Jul 16 2007
  

       My grandfather had a gas powered light on his bicycle - it ran on calcium carbide and water.
AbsintheWithoutLeave, Jul 16 2007
  

       A 700-w flashlight. For when you need to wave in that straying commuter flight, yes?   

       Anyhoo, couldn't you make do with a miner's lamp? Gas powered, no pull rope required.
elhigh, Jul 16 2007
  

       Just don't let the gas go bad. or just use hydrogen and a mini turbine. Or just a fuel cell.
twitch, Jul 16 2007
  

       Calcium carbide and water makes acetylene gas, which has powered many a caving lamp. BTW, don't keep calcium carbide in a cardboard box in humid weather.
baconbrain, Jul 16 2007
  

       Some of the little nitro powered two-stroke RC motors are up in the 2-3 Hp range, and weigh maybe 300 grams. They operate at up to 20K Rpm or so, but that's fine, it's not hard to make an alternator that could run at that speed. For a total weight of maybe 2kg you could combine motor, alternator, fuel cell, casing, HID ballast+ignitor, bulb and reflector. At like 1500 Watts.   

       Good idea. [+]
Custardguts, Jul 17 2007
  

       Great idea (as I already noted in my idea inspired by this). Just keep in mind that a 1hp engine simpy couldn't translate into 746 watts in the real world because you'd lose quite a bit of efficiency through the alternator. With that said, this thing would still be pretty damn bright! [+]
acurafan07, Jul 17 2007
  

       Very true acura. I think the loss would be greater because I would include a gearbox to reduce the rpm's. You have to then figure in mechanical resistence to the equation.   

       What idea are you talking about, by the way?   

       BTW, I was waiting for you to see this, and anno. This invention is infact gas-powered, which is your forte.
evilpenguin, Jul 17 2007
  

       There, here's a link. And you're right, I'm into almost anything gas-powered.
acurafan07, Jul 17 2007
  

       I just love the phrase, "Using a chainsaw this morning, it occured to me..."
zen_tom, Jul 17 2007
  

       //AA battery (which are, apparently, the most advanced type of battery)// - I read it on the internet so it must be true...
wagster, Jul 17 2007
  

       The problem is - AA is not a type of battery, it's just a shape and a voltage. You can still buy carbon zinc AA's which went out with the dinosaur. You can also buy NiMH AA's which are fairly advanced as batteries go. Saying AA batteries are the most advanced batteries is a bit like saying that 7.5 tonne trucks are the most advanced trucks. More info here (link).
wagster, Jul 17 2007
  

       That battery link is interesting, thanks.   

       There are already a variety of lanterns that use petroleum products to produce light, without moving parts. A Coleman gas lantern is annoyingly bright, even if it isn't shaped like a flashlight. I'm thinking it would be best to modify something like that, rather than mucking about with motors and generators.
baconbrain, Jul 17 2007
  

       For sure. Those CampingGaz lanterns put out a vast amount of light. A small one that could clip onto the top of a butane canister (the lighter refill ones) might work.
wagster, Jul 17 2007
  

       I totally understand all the talk of "lanterns"   

       My idea is not for a lantern, but a flashlight. And the fact that the flashlight has a throttle, a pull start and a gas tank make it the coolest flashlight you'll ever mix oil with gas for. I think you all skipped over the misstek (sp?) of a gas engine powering a flashlight.   

       Imagine for a moment, you are a criminal. Your next to an abandon building finishing a 'deal'. Your counting your money when all the sudden you hear a chainsaw and are blinded by intense light that you can't look directly into. You can't see behind the light, but sure enough its the police. You are then arrested to the smell of 2-stroke oil in the air.
evilpenguin, Jul 17 2007
  

       Can't I imagine that I'm a criminal for the next week or so? I have some bills due.   

       I'm also going to imagine that while I'm counting my money in a dark alley, I hear "Unhg" , <cough>, <splutter>, "Ow!" and "Dammit!", and see a brief flicker of light fading to oblivion, as I fade in the opposite direction, giggling quietly.
baconbrain, Jul 17 2007
  

       The police would assume they're facing a lunatic with a flashlight and a chainsaw and hoof it out of there. [+]
wagster, Jul 17 2007
  

       // CampingGaz lanterns // A small one that could clip onto the top of a butane canister //   

       or an even smaller one that clips over a refillable cigarette lighter.   

       Now, take one cheap butane soldering iron. Replace catalyst in head with lantern mantle. Mount reflector. Ignite.   

       Viola.
BunsenHoneydew, Jul 23 2007
  

       fucking awesome [treanhead]   

       nice work
evilpenguin, Feb 25 2008
  

       "Gas": Sp.: Petrol.   

       Just out of curiosity, if you guys call petrol "gas", what do you call gas?
MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 25 2008
  

       <marge simpson> ...and botulism is called "steak and kidney pie" </ms>
AbsintheWithoutLeave, Feb 25 2008
  

       That would explain some meals I've had in New York. You guys really ought to straighten these things out.
MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 25 2008
  

       And then we need a Ryobi all-in-one kit that runs your flashlight, circular saw, drill, and electric screwdriver! [bun]
kevinthenerd, Jun 23 2008
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle