Reloading Press Shellplate LED light System

[1in9twist]

Thank you for checking out this thread. As a safety habit, I always look down inside my cases before setting a bullet to double check the powder level. It isn’t easy to get light directly inside the press cage with-out having some hot, glaring gooseneck light in the way. In looking at ways to solve this problem, I have come up with this item and design. It features a 110 to 12v adaptor wired to a 6 LED flexible strip which has a piece of 3M Redline doublestick tape on it. I did not wire in a switch as I figured it would be plugged into a multi-outlet strip. The LED’S put out a ton of light and zero heat. They are also sealed inside a clear silicone casing. The LED strip mounts to the inside beam of just about any press flooding the shellplate with bright white light.

So the question is, do you think you would purchase something such as this and at what price point would it be worth it? It is not a cheap item to produce, but really does the job. I did not want anything with batteries, as the LEDS get dimmer as they the batteries discharge and are expensive. The LED lights also have a expected lifespan of over 50,000 hours.

Prices on my website are always “Shipped” prices and if purchased with another item, it would be discounted and shipped free with that other item.
www.inlinefabrication.com
Your thoughts\suggestions are hereby requested. opcorn:
Thank you
D







In these pictures below, there were NO other lights on and no camera flash.

Left Side

Right side

 

[Walkalong]

Looks like it does a very good job.

 

[Shmackey]

Nice. I currently use a clip-on reading light with an LED. Your solution doesn't get in the way like mine does.

That being said, I wouldn't buy one with AC power. There's enough going on around my press without adding new wires. I use low-discharge NiMH rechargeable batteries for everything now (Eneloops), so battery cost is not an issue. (As an aside, with modern low-discharge NiMH batteries, there's just no reason to use alkalines for anything anymore.)

If it ran on a couple of AAA or AA batteries in a small pack that could sit just on the bench just to the right of the press, I would probably pay $20 for one.

 

[chrt396]

Ya know...you bring up a subject that I've been pondering for a while. I've been looking for a strong light that doesn't throw off much heat that will illuminate my press. I have a bright flourescent light above..but extra light could definately be a plus. How bout those LED lights that are used for motorcycles? I had them on my RoadKing..in white..and those suckers are BRIGHT!!! Just need to wire them to an adapter..which should be easy to find at a radio shack or electronic supply house. They have their own adhesive...seems like a plan that would work VERY nicely without a bunch of clutter!

Lets see...stick the LED on the part of the press that is unaffected by caliber changes, primer changes and operation of the press. Attached the wire down the supporting spine of the press through a pre-drilled hole on the table top. Run the wire under the table to a switch attached to the back of the bench..and then to a wall socket. Sounds like a project to get started on!

Shmackey...do you think that those low voltage LED lights could cause a spark enough to ignite powder? That would obviously be an issue if it could.

I do have a barbeque clip on LED light that I attach to my grill that is brightenough...just big and cumbersome.

 

[floydster]

I wouldn't want an AC powered unit either, I have a clamp on LED light from the dollar store that works great---I bought 6 of them and when the button batterys wear out, I can power these with 3 AAA batterys and they last forever

 

[chrt396]

You have some pretty cool stuff on your web site!! I looked for the LED..but I couldn't find it. How much is the set up going to be?

 

[Woody3]

I too am interested in price.


Keep your head low and your powder dry.

 

[capreppy]

I use a light that I bought for my nook. Works really well for rifle and pistol.

Yours looks like it would work really well for pistol. How well does it work for rifle? I may be in the market since my wife took MY nook and MY light. I have to "borrow" the light when I load.

 

[kk0g]

It's not AC powered, it's 12V DC.

 

[Rembrandt]

Made one using an LED flashlight....sure helps illuminate inside the cases.

 

[Woody3]

Not to step on toes but this thread isn't about what "you" have made or done it's about 1in9twist and his invention. He was simply trying to get a feel for anyone's desire for one.

Respectfully,
Woody


Keep your head low and your powder dry.

 

[Walkalong]

I think it is an excellent idea. Like the OP has asked, it is a matter of what people would be willing to pay vs what he can sell them for. Definitely a nice way to light up the inside of the case.

 

[nojoke]

Price pending, I'll take the light and an ergo handle.

I don't want to order the handle until you have the light....pending price.

We're all on a tight budget, so do it for cost plus your time/profit.

What does it cost you to produce?

Honestly, this is sort of a weird way of going about things....


Bottom line, I really really like the light. Hope that wire doesn't get in the way of things tho....any mounting parts going to come with it? Me and wires don't get along well, I seem to get wound up in every wire I get close to.

I would prefer an on/off switch.

 

[Walkalong]

Not really. If he gets an idea of what people think it is worth, then he knows if it is worth investing some money in buying parts to produce it, or not.

 

[Hondo 60]

Looks very nice.
I've seen some others & they look - well - homemade.

 

[m33p0n3]

Wow, I've got a few of those LED strips leftover from an install on a friends car, now I know a good use for them.

I would prefer to have an on/off switch accessible at the press. If someone were to use a power strip, simply leaving the switch on would give the same result.

A battery operated one would probably be a lot better for me, but I understand that it would cause a lot of problems with the design. Adding a circuit to step up to 12V from say 3V off of 2 AA batteries just creates added complication/cost.

As far as price, with a whole system ready to go, (with a switch and battery pack or wall wart) I would expect to pay around $20. Even though it's something I could probably throw together myself, I would pay for something a little more polished than I could throw together from spare parts I have laying around.

 

[1in9twist]

Hi Guys. To be clear, as mentioned above, this thread was to determine if it would be worth my time to source the materials required to produce this light and bring it to market. OR, if people were like "that's the dumbest thing I have ever seen!"

I always enjoy listening to experienced people's opinions and feedback prior to manufacturing a product. As far as I am concerned, it's the way it should be.

Based on the great feedback from this and other forums, I will be adding it to my line up. It is a versatile (Could mount on just about any press), simple, functional item and will be at a reasonable price point. Prolly $25. (Will ship free with an item from the site)

The hardest thing nowadays is finding reasonable shipping costs out to the customer.

 

[nojoke]

Good price, I'd go for that...switch included?

 

[1in9twist]

At this point I am not planning on wiring in a switch, cuz.....where would it go? I could make a bracket for an automotive toggle type switch, but then the end user would have to screw it to his\her bench or attach it to the press somehow Being that it could go onto just about any type of press, I would never know what type of bracket to ship with it.

I could install the switch in a box, but then there's something else cluttering up the area.

If someone wanted a switch as a custom option, no worries, because we would figure out what works best together.

I was figuring people would use their multi outlet strip that's prolly already in the vicinity of the press anyway.

 

[kelbro]

Nice setup. You might try to source a less noisy AC adapter. Those can wreak havoc on a nearby digital scale.

Does it really need to be 700mA? Does it have to be 12VDC? If it would run on 5VDC, you could add a female mini-usb input and people could use one of their extra mobile phone chargers that they have laying around.

Would you consider selling it without the AC adapter? I have a bunch of those.

 

[1in9twist]

Hmm.....I have 3 different digital scales and couldn't get any interference. Tried multiple times with known weights.

I will get the best lumen's and therefor performance out of 12vdc so I am not looking to scrimp.

I don't mind helping out, once I receive my order, I will pm ya.

 

[NuJudge]

I'd be interested in one. What I have used, to date, is a hat brim light on a baseball cap.

I have made several attempts at a stationary directional light, but on progressive presses I really need to watch the priming operation, the powder drop and the powder level in the case. I guess I need an area light such as you are working with.

 

[tly999]

I have tried using a battery powered LED light with only 1 LED, but would like a brighter light. I am interested in your light, but quite frankly, the wire routing around the moving press scares me. I would keep wondering what happens if I tangle the wire in the press and pull the wire out of the LED.

I know there are lights made for explosive environments (such as underground coal mines). If a multiple LED using such a light were offered, I would buy it.

Terry

 

[rsrocket1]

If you want a switch, couldn't you put an inline switch in the middle of the cord? I know it's not efficient since the 120VAC is already converted to 12VDC, but it is so little lost energy that it shouldn't matter.

1 LED lamps and flashlights are incredibly bright nowadays. I am using this lamp to shine a light into the center hole of my LnL and it is real bright, does not heat up at all and has an inline switch.

However, I do like the idea of an LED strip with multiple LED's for checking powder. If you can flex the strip, you can put the last LED so you can see directly into tall cases.

 

[nojoke]

Actually, I'd like a plug w/ 2 lights.
One to the press and a second light in my case loader.
I have a mirror set up above the loader, but its dark up there the way I have it. A little light would be great!