Red light head torch

[jshad84]

Hi everyone,

I was having difficulty finding a red light torch until i came across one in woolies. you can get Energizer LED head torches that have both normal viewing and red light modes for $36. they run off 3 AAA batteries, and mine has been going for 25 hrs so far with no noticable decrease in output. They apparently go for 50 hours. So, just a though if you dont have one

James

[iceman]

Hi James. Yeh they're pretty good - pretty popular now too. Great to have hands-free.

I remember getting mine for $27.. i can't believe how the prices have gone up!

[gman]

I bought mine from Woolies also on special for $29.

I have noticed in the latest edition of AS & T (Jul/Aug) on pge 96, top right hand cnr, "Astro Shop" have advertised what virtually looks like the same unit for $19.95:thumbsup:

[Paddy]

I got a head light from a camping shop for $39 and unfortunately you have to turn on the white led to get the the red light. A little trap for the unwary! Just checked with myastroshop.com.au who sell them online for $20, which I think is very reasonable. It has different switches for night vs white leds, so I'm going to order one.

[alexk13]

I got my red head light from Jaycar (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=ST3280&CATID=21&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=658)- it's actually a white bright LED head light, but 4 layers of red cellophane and it's now definitely red.
Cost was $7 , so I got 2 ;), but now listed on their website as $14.95:eyepop:

Runs on 2 AAA batteries - which I choose to get from woolies in the 10 packs from about $9.

[erick]

Different switches are a good idea. At some stage during the night with the Eveready, I always switch the wrong way and blast everything with a flash of white light! :mad2:

[GTB_an_Owl]

try this one from Bunnings - Varta , 3 in one head torch Ref. 11630 - 3 AAA batt

$20

first position on switch is RED

geoff

[CoombellKid]

Eveready torch with theatrical lighting gel (rosso 301, from memory, been
a few years since I was in lighhting) price $4.95 :thumbsup:

regards,CS

[mrsnipey]

If you want a cheaper alternative.
I bought 50 red led's off ebay for $7 including delivery,
I bought a couple of 330 ohm resistors (4 cents each) from D.Smith's,
a couple of switches for 80 cents each and 2 9v batteries.

As long as you have a resistor in between the led and the battery the
led won't fry.

The resistor you need is calculated like this:
(Voltage of Battery - Max Voltage of LED) / Amps = Resistor Value
In my case:
I have a 9v battery, the maximum voltage of a Red LED is 2v
and I run red LED's at a maximum of 25 milliamps or (.025 amps)
So we get:
(9 - 2) / .025 = 280
I don't think you can get a 280 ohm resistor so you need to go up to the next resistor you can find (in my case 330 ohms).

I made torches for my daughters when they were little (about three years ago) and they're still going.

I use velcro dots stuck on the side of the 9v battery to stick it to
whatever I want.

If you want to use a 1.2v rechargeable battery instead of a 9v battery, pm me and I can give you a couple of sites where I found good (easy) circuits to make.

It might take you half an hour to make a torch but it's cheap.

I have about 10 torches sitting around the house now. :)

[renormalised]

I hate that red shine you get using those red light torches so I'm going to get myself a night vision torch from Pelican instead of using the ol' red light.

[mark3d]

i bought a red LED upgrade kit for a mini maglite we had.. $13. now the batteries will last a long time and its well.. red :)

[saturn c]

bcf have a range of them aswell

[Ian Robinson]

Got one of those , it's surprisingly bright. Had it for a few years.

Not as bright in normal mode as my other headtorches (a petzal) that I can't do without when fishing for jewie at night, and my 12V miners' lamp that use when squiding and prawning.

Headlamps are better - your hands remain free and you can't loose them when you turn them off to view in the dark.

[Jen]

Well i bought a crappy ordinary torch and covered it with red cellophane and i use good batteries and the stoopid thing goes flat in one night :mad2: arrhhhhhhhhh i might have to invest in a real one i think :screwy:

[TrevorW]

Stole my daughters red nail vanish painted the lens cover of a torch.

Now I have one sexy red light torch.;)

[Jen]

Hahahah :lol: now thats a great idea :thumbsup:

[astronut]

Jen,
LED's are best. Even heavy duty batteries will go flat quickly with a standard globe in a torch.
LED's use very little power, even the very bright ones.
It's the only way to go!!:lol:

[Jen]

:thumbsup: Thanks Astronut i will put one of them on my shopping list :P
cheers
:astron:

[TrevorW]

Jen

You may be able to pick up one that uses no batteries works out even cheaper to run and you get excercise as well cranking it although the neighbours might complain about the noise.

[Jen]

:lol::lol: well im on an acre property so the neighbours arn't that close hehehe
:P

[JethroB76]

If you have a soldering iron, Chris Marsh has written a very easy "how to" for making your own red LED torch here:http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,278,0,0,1,0

Buy a few $2 torches and some red LEDs and you can make a bunch of torches (so it doesn't matter where you leave them:doh:) for <$20