LED Lighting - Part Next

by Jim_TX 4 Replies latest jw friends

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  Jim_TX

  If yall recall...

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/132764/1.ashx/LED+Lighting+-+Part+3

  I discuss an LED lighting system that I've put together. It's really pretty cool. Looking around on the 'net', I do not see anything that comes close to what it does.

  My wife and I went to a local Solar 'fest' a couple of weeks ago, and while there weren't many vendors there, I found one that looked like they were doing something similar to what I have (although it was still quite different). I waited around until they weren't too busy, and then spoke to one of the fellas there. I mentioned what I was doing, and he got all excited. He said that there were a couple of people who had already stopped by his booth asking if he did anything like what I was describing to him. (Of course, he had to tell them that he didn't have anything like that).

  Long story short, he wanted to get together and discuss what we might be able to do together. We had a 2 hour lunch today, and I think that we might be able to work together. He wants to do the sales - I want to do the technical bits - providing the hardware and pcbs, etc.

  My wife is excited. Me? I tend to reserve any 'enthusiasm' until later when things start to happen.

  I'm taking this product to 'market' with - or without these fellas. I believe it is that good.

  Regards,

  Jim TX
• 

  CaptainSchmideo

  It tried doing a search within jwd to find your first post, gave up after a few pages.

  When you say, LED, how big are the diodes? Are they clustered together, like what you find on a laptop display? I don't want you to give away all your patent worthy secrets, but I am having a hard time picturing this....
• 

  Paralipomenon

  Is your idea patented? If you are going to venture into the realm of selling this, you should look strongly at this idea. There are plenty of inventor predators out there that will see your idea and rip it off leaving you with little to no recourse.
  
  It sounds like a interesting business idea, but treat it like that. I would suggest signing a formal agreement with this vendor. before providing a working solution.
• 

  Jim_TX

  "When you say, LED, how big are the diodes? Are they clustered together, like what you find on a laptop display? I don't want you to give away all your patent worthy secrets, but I am having a hard time picturing this...."

  I guess the link didn't work - or my description wasn't good enough.

  What I have is mostly 'plug-n-play' bits that all work together. The LEDs are high powered ones - 5-watts (single LED). I am using three of these. They each put out about 160 lumens - for a total of around 480 lumens (or about 60 lux per LED - as measured on a lightmeter). That isn't really much light when you consider that a 60-watt incandescent bulb is around 500 to 600 lumens, but it is difficult to relate LED light intensity to incandescent (or fluorescent) lighting.

  I am charging a 12-volt battery during the day, and at night I am lighting my livingroom, and part of the kitchen/dining room with LED light. It's bright enough to read by - although for serious reading, you need a lamp nearby.

  I have been using this system for almost 3 months now, and it has been through many 'tests', including two hailstorms that pummelled the solar panel, two power failures - one that lasted for an hour in the wee hours of the morning. We were able to get ready for work - with plenty of light to see by, whilst our neighbors - those that were up - had to use flashlights and candles to see by.

  The battery/LED combo has enough power to run for about 21 to 24 hours straight before the battery goes 'flat'. I haven't run it 'flat' yet - although during a two week overcast period, I did get it down to 11.8 volts. At that level, I still had about 10 hours left in the battery.

  I'm excited about this product idea - as it has many applications. Boating... out-buildings... off-grid cabins... power failue lighting... etc.

  It has helped to reduce our electric bill, too - although not by all that much - only about 5% or so.

  Regards,

  Jim TX
• 

  Jim_TX

  "Is your idea patented? If you are going to venture into the realm of selling this, you should look strongly at this idea. There are plenty of inventor predators out there that will see your idea and rip it off leaving you with little to no recourse."

  Well... have you looked into how much a patent costs these days? Plus - no matter what you try to patent - chances are someone has already filed (and received a patent for) an idea that is close enough to what I am doing that I couldn't get a patent. Even with a patent - there are no guarantees that someone wouldn't steal the idea - change it a smidgen (technical term), and get a different patent anyway.

  "It sounds like a interesting business idea, but treat it like that. I would suggest signing a formal agreement with this vendor. before providing a working solution."

  Well - thanks for the advice. However - one has to get out there and try to market it - or else someone WILL come up with a similar idea and market that - leaving me holding the bag - so to speak.

  These fellas that I am talking to - they seem to be okay. They are local fellas. Grew up here.

  Even if someone tries to 'steal' my concept - they can only get so far. I have designed a custom pcb for this and it would take a bit of time to reverse-engineer it to duplicate it.

  As for providing a working solution - I need to do that - so they can have something to demo and try to sell, don't I? Catch 22.

  Regards,

  Jim TX