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Why
For reading and studying, the first and last hours of the eleven hours long tropical night are very suitable for doing home work, is only proper illumination can be provided. This regards 1 billion poor students and pupils world wide.
For reading and writing, illumination should be of good quality. Housing conditions normally do not offer this. Illumination from overhead florescent tubes is too weak, strong light from pressured gas-lamps radiates heat, crates sharp shadows and attracts insects.
Use of a torch is somehow effective, but cost for the short lasting batteries limits its use. Small LED-lights offer a big improvement in practicality, but cost is still to be considered. Kerosene lamps and candles are impractical and dangerous, causing burns and fire.
How
Four hours after sunset can be utilized for study with a small mobile reading light, called the "NightReader". Compared to the heat of the day, these hours have the charm of relaxing coolness, specially when sitting outside. These hour are ideal for study, it is easier to concentrate one's thought, read and write. Moreover, outdoor space is the only space available for students to escape the hindrance of cramped housing conditions.
Problems of cost and practicality are addressed. Cost by local manufacture out of mostly cost cost free materials in a short time. Mobility by small size, light weight, Practicality and quality by a design of a lampshade that only illuminates what is read or written down as not to attract insects. Use of two 3mm yellow LED's results in long battery use, even if partly discharged batteries are used.
Facilitate availability for all at short notice by on-line publication of construction manuals and on social media like Facebook, YouTube and Instructables.
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Additional information
Visit the new site "NightReader.net"
Older NightReader versions
A lampshade and 2 LED's are attached to a battery box that fits 3 most common used batteries.
Its battery box open with hinged sides for replacements
Later version with cloth battery bag as used in Bangui/CAR
Soon to be introduced
Latest version is made from corrugated cardboard and plastic foil
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Planned progress
Design of electronic circuits utilizing the smallest solar cell and rechargeable battery.
Design of the network of designers, manufacturers, distributors and users.
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Internal links
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India's poor a good market
When concidering the chance of getting a return from manufacturing the NightReader for the worlds poor, take notice of this article:
India's poor are a valuable market from a commercial point of view, if the product is appropriate to local expectations, says this paper that is copied from the Simputer newsgroup and was published by the University of Michigan Business School.
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Technical specifications, suggestions for circuits and parts
Target for the electronic circuit is cheap and robust and long lasting (>5jrs). Integration of parts not as a start, but to be considered for future assembly.
Charging during daytime (not direct sunlight) should deliver a capacity for 4 hours use at night.
2 LED's, white light, small capacity (+/- 5mA?)
1 rechargeable battery 1,5 volts, small capacity
Switch operated by laying the NightReader on a surface, putting down = off, lifting up = on.
DC/DC converter to raise voltage from voltage NC-cell to voltage needed for best performance LED's (possibly dimmed, not full capacity). Possible brand Newport, see www. farnell.com
Solar cell, voltage sufficient for loading NC-cell. Dropping the device may not result in cracking a solar cell. A flexible type, easily attached to the mirroring cap, is preferred.
A diode(?) to prevent leaking back of current through the solar cell.
Please suggest any other part useful in this context. Write your contribution on the forum page, belonging to this record.
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Marketing the NightReader
Latest developments on the NightReader, a suggestion for a different kind of introduction of a new product
A way to give parties working on a new product some grip on its actual value in practice.
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Vision entrepeneurship after 9/11
The initiative is about a different interaction among the players in Western and 3d world economies. We want introduce new roles of play to the marketing initiative, the design, the manufacturing, the distribution and the consumer.
We want to make far better use of the new blessings offered in communication: Internet! Our initiative aims at integrating the economy of the poor with an initiative based on a different approach towards economic and knowledge facilities in the West. The players all act out from economic interest. Because of the new method of management, the action is as well liberal structured as ethical motivated.
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Non battery sources of electric current
Non-battery, but also a small source of electric current could be gengerated by walking, while compressing and decompressing piezo-electric elements. Info based on a O2-Mailing list thread.
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External Links
Links related to the NightReader
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What other people say... |
If you like you can add your own comment
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by Reinder - Thu Dec 06 (2001)
Chip for high-frequency blinking of a LED
De inschakelduur van LEDjes is met een chip is te regelen. Als bij een film
worden de donkere periodes door het oog niet herkend, maar het
stroomgebruik gaat wel fors omlaag. Deze schakeling is of was normaal bij
verlichting van digitale horloges
De kosten bij de NightReader kunnen omlaag als de zonnecel alleen een
accu-cel van 1,2 volt hoeft op te laden. De hogere spanning voor ??n of
meer LEDjes wordt dan opgewekt via een schakeling.
by peter broekmeulen - Wed Oct 31 (2001)
fietslampjes
Hallo,
Zouden er tegenwoordig geen standaard print plaatjes zijn. Zelf maak ik nml
gebruik van een fietslamp waarin drie leds verwerkt zijn. Deze zijn op drie
manieren te gebruiken nml ogenschijnlijk drie leds tegelijk branden,
wisselend drie leds aan uit, en wisselend onderling tussen de leds. Ik hen
zo'n toestel nooit uit elkaar gehaald maar ik zou mij voor kunnen stellen
dat hier langzamerhand een standaard chip voor is ontwikkeld
peter
by Reinder - Wed Oct 31 (2001)
LED's as used for bicycles + general info on LED's
> Hallo,
> Zouden er tegenwoordig geen standaard print plaatjes zijn. Zelf maak ik
nml
> gebruik van een fietslamp waarin drie leds verwerkt zijn. Deze zijn op
drie
> manieren te gebruiken nml ogenschijnlijk drie leds tegelijk branden,
> wisselend drie leds aan uit, en wisselend onderling tussen de leds. Ik
hen
> zo'n toestel nooit uit elkaar gehaald maar ik zou mij voor kunnen
stellen
> dat hier langzamerhand een standaard chip voor is ontwikkeld
> peter
by Marc - Wed Oct 31 (2001) by Willem van Tijen - Fri Nov 02 (2001)
exportartikel
Ter uwer info;
Ik heb een korte nightreader introductie getracht te Bangui Centraal
Afrikaanse republiek. Dat was afgelopen september en oktober na een kort
intermezzo in Holland
Batterijen zijn in overvloed te krijgen in de supermarkten; stel je flinke
stapels penlights voor groen en lekkend in hun cellofaantjes. 4 stuks
kosten 3500 cfa ca 1.5 euro. De nighreader was door Kim Verkuyl (werkzaam
bij een gezondheidsproject van Artsen Zonder Grenzen) gegeven aan een van
haar locale kennisen in bangui. Deze Nicole gebruikte de reader vooral als
nachtlichtje in haar van electriciteit verstoken huisje. Op de china
batterijen heeft de lamp ca 2,5 week continu gebrand. Het was het model
zonder chip of aan/uit schakeling
Het is even uitkijken hoe je de juiste polariteit aansluit. De unit is hier
gevoelig voor
De stoffen batterijhouder kon door een lokale kleermaker voor ca 600 cfa
gefabriceerd worden. Bij hogere oplagen zal dit wat minder zijn
Helaas werd een ontmoeting met een straatjongen die draadfiguren maakt
verstoord door een staatsgreep. Hij zou een indicatie kunnen geven van
fabricage kosten van het framewerk.
by Richard Jacobi - Sun Dec 06 (2009)
Re: exportartikel
Wauw dat is groots. Willem stuur me effe een mailtje op
obiwanjacobi_1@yahoo.com. Want we hebben elkaar sinds boulder colorado niet
meer gesproken. Groet Richard
by jn_mailin@rediffmail.com - Mon Dec 02 (2002)
i want to more information about nightreader,study-light with soler cel and LED.
sir
iwant to know about you all the your product
jn patel
by Hans Baarslag - Mon Dec 01 (2003)
Nightreader
Why don,t we start little enterprises producing and selling nightreaders in
Africa.I am willing to chip in.
by Mahesh Raman - Wed Dec 03 (2003)
White LED
It was interesting to read about your night reader. I am particularly
interested in the White LED which has several applications in day to day
life including street lighting, indoor lighting, specific lighting etc.,
Have you developed anything on these lines? If you have please contact me
ASAP as I would be interested.
Cheers!
Mahesh
by Reinder / Demotech - Wed Dec 03 (2003)
Re: White LED
> It was interesting to read about your night reader. I am particularly
> interested in the White LED ..... contact me ASAP as I would be
interested.
> Cheers! Mahesh
Dear Mahesh, white has the future, no doubt. But Poverty and youth ask for
the cheapest solution: Yellow is excellent for reading, takes half the
voltage, cost half the price if white, is available in many different
width of light beam.
But while you gather info on white leds, please keep Demotech informed.
NO RESULT WITHOUT COOPERATION!!!
Good luck to you,
Reinder van Tijen, Demotech
PS, tell me a little on the why and how of your interest in white leds.
by Herman van Essen - Wed Dec 03 (2003)
LED/ powersourcing
Wat we veel zien in horloges tegenwoordig is de kinetische energie
opwekking. Wanneer het horloge gedragen wordt, laadt het zichzelf op met
de energie die je lichaam produceert. Dit kan ook toegepast worden in de
nightreader. Maak bijvoorbeeld twee contacten op de reader. Zodra deze
contacten aangeraakt worden, zal de reader in werking gezet worden. Helaas
is de hoeveelheid energie die een horloge nodig heeft veel kleiner als de
energie die LED's nodig hebben. De reader zal dan eerst een poosje
vastgehouden moeten worden om voldoende energie te kunnen leveren voor een
LED. Dit is een redelijk goedkope oplossing, want batterijen vervangen is
op den duur kostbaarder. Bovendien is de benodigde elektronische
verwaarloosbaar klein, want het kan zelfs in horloges toegepast worden. De
energie blijft ook voor een lange tijd opgeslagen. Nog even over de
LED's. Witte LED's, mooie vinding. Jammergenoeg is de massaproductie pas
net in gang gezet. We zullen even moeten wachten tot de prijs van de witte
LED's daalt. Witte LED's zijn duurzamer dan de meeste LED's. Daar
tegenover staat dat gele LED's contrasten voor het menselijk oog
verbeteren en dat is gunstig voor de nightreader. Let maar eens op de
straatverlichting, vele lantaarnpalen verspreiden geel licht over de
straten. Een ander nadeel van de witte LED is het voltage. Veel witte
LED's werken op 5 Volt terwijl de conventionele LED's op 2,8 Volt
werken.
by savantsonia_18@yahoo.co.in - Mon Dec 08 (2003)
study light wiyh LED's
Sir,
I am doing B.Sc.in electronics science. I am in my final year .I study in
Fergusson College ,Pune. This year we have to do a project.
So i am searching different site for selecting a project.
Sir , I would be very thankful to you if you can give me some information
about 'STUDY LIGHT WITH LEDs 'like its designing, its total cost , its
software, precaution, its application etc.
Thanking You,
Sonia Savant
Flat 101,
Bldg TB4/6
Ajmera Colony
pimpri 411018
pune
by Reinder / Demotech - Mon Dec 08 (2003)
Re: study light wiyh LED's
Dear Sonia,
Please send me a mail at reinder@demotech.org with a description of what
are the demands of your school regarding the project. What direction do
you want to focus? Hardware construction, software schemes, social
introduction?
I truly welcome your participation and I feel I can compose a program of
research that would fit you well and that will also be helpful for the
project.
Please study extensively the papers that you can read at the page of the
NightReader. Most of your questions are partly answered there. At this
moment the design has considerably been improved, but I have not yet have
taken time to publish it.
Do you have easy access to Internet?
I hope to get your answers soon.
With kind regards,
Reinder
> Sir,
> I am doing B.Sc.in electronics science. I am in my final year .I study
in
> Fergusson College ,Pune. This year we have to do a project.
> So i am searching different site for selecting a project.
> Sir , I would be very thankful to you if you can give me some
information
> about 'STUDY LIGHT WITH LEDs 'like its designing, its total cost ,
its
> software, precaution, its application etc.
> Thanking You,
> Sonia Savant
> Flat 101,
> Bldg TB4/6
> Ajmera Colony
> pimpri 411018
> pune
by gmoke@world.std.com - Mon Dec 06 (2004)
Power for Night Readers
Add a small solar cell, use rechargeable batteries and you can make Night
Readers that are solar powered. In fact, you can modify existing single
LEDs and booklights as solar reading lights. You can even do it with
single LEDs powered by button batteries that double as keychain lights in
the USA and Europe.
In 1988, I was in Gaungzhou, China. One night, I saw men in the doorways
standing by small folding tables. They were refueling, refurbishing, and
reselling disposable plastic cigarette lighters. I'd like to see a solar
reading light as readily affordable and available as that so no child in
the world can be reasonably deprived of the light to read.
Here's some of my thinking on the topic of how to develop the worldwide
solar marketplace:
Solar Product Chain
A series of mass market commodity products designed as steppingstones to
full solar electric power:
solar jewelry - rings, bracelets, necklaces, with solar charging brooch
and rechargeable battery pack
solar powered LED light - flashlight, keychain or backpack fob - flasher,
reading light, and/or area lighting
solar bicycle light for visibility, headlights, dynamo/solar combo
This set of products starts with button batteries, CR2016 and CR2032 size
and hearing aid batteries, for instance. The simplest system is a solar
cell, with a blocking diode, a set or rechargeable batteries, and a single
LED. Battery size can vary up to 12 volt DC. Bicycle dynamo/solar
provides 24 hour generating capacity
solar/dynamo flashlight/radio and battery charger
The charger works on AA and other dry cell sizes, possibly up to 12 volts
A radio and flashlight and an extra set of batteries are what is
recommended in case of emergency and disaster everywhere around the world
If the extra set of batteries is rechargeable, the solar/dynamo system
produces electricity day or night by sunlight or muscle power as long as
the batteries can carry a charge and the machine doesn't break. Hand
scale for domestic and craft use, sewing machine, power tools.
Solar backpack or car windshield battery charger (one square foot)
volt (and multiples)
Recharging cell phones, computers, sound systems from a backpack equipped
with solar panels. Every backpack a power station. LIkewise, every car
can become a "hybrid vehicle" by installing an extra battery and a
control system to charge from the alternator when the engine's original
battery is finished charging. Battery switching, with 12 volt or dry cell
or even button batteries is a key concept in the solar transition.
one window solar electric system (four square feet)
volt, with AC inverter and possible grid connect
The one window system is 4 square feet of solar collector and should be
almost as easy to install as an air conditioner. Open the window, erect
the frame, aim it at the sun, attach collector, plug it in, and close the
window.
There should be a consistent look and feel to all the products along the
product chain and as much inter-operability as possible.
by Reinder / Demotech - Mon Dec 06 (2004)
Re: Power for Night Readers
Demotech's NightReader tries to solve the problem of cost for batteries
So we wanted to work on the use of nearly exhausted batteries as often
available. The cost of the NightReader, if home made, would equal the cost
of just the LED (10 Euro cent).
Solar, of course is more convenient. I would like to know how much would
be the cost of a 2V solar panel that can charge the smallest capacity as
possible rechargeable battery, for just 5 hours functioning per day. This
battery should be recharged in the 8 hours bright light as available each
day.
I look forward to consistent information on this.
Kind regards, Reinder
> Add a small solar cell, use rechargeable batteries and you can make
Night
> Readers that are solar powered. In fact, you can modify existing
single
> LEDs and booklights as solar reading lights. You can even do it with
> single LEDs powered by button batteries that double as keychain lights
in
> the USA and Europe.
>
> In 1988, I was in Gaungzhou, China. One night, I saw men in the
doorways
> standing by small folding tables. They were refueling, refurbishing,
and
> reselling disposable plastic cigarette lighters. I'd like to see a
solar
> reading light as readily affordable and available as that so no child
in
> the world can be reasonably deprived of the light to read.
>
> Here's some of my thinking on the topic of how to develop the
worldwide
> solar marketplace:
>
> Solar Product Chain
>
> A series of mass market commodity products designed as steppingstones
to
> full solar electric power:
>
> solar jewelry - rings, bracelets, necklaces, with solar charging brooch
> and rechargeable battery pack
> solar powered LED light - flashlight, keychain or backpack fob -
flasher,
> reading light, and/or area lighting
> solar bicycle light for visibility, headlights, dynamo/solar combo
> This set of products starts with button batteries, CR2016 and CR2032
size
> and hearing aid batteries, for instance. The simplest system is a
solar
> cell, with a blocking diode, a set or rechargeable batteries, and a
single
> LED. Battery size can vary up to 12 volt DC. Bicycle dynamo/solar
> provides 24 hour generating capacity
>
> solar/dynamo flashlight/radio and battery charger
> The charger works on AA and other dry cell sizes, possibly up to 12
volts.
> A radio and flashlight and an extra set of batteries are what is
> recommended in case of emergency and disaster everywhere around the
world.
> If the extra set of batteries is rechargeable, the solar/dynamo system
> produces electricity day or night by sunlight or muscle power as long
as
> the batteries can carry a charge and the machine doesn't break. Hand
> scale for domestic and craft use, sewing machine, power tools.
>
> Solar backpack or car windshield battery charger (one square foot)
> 12 volt (and multiples)
> Recharging cell phones, computers, sound systems from a backpack
equipped
> with solar panels. Every backpack a power station. LIkewise, every
car
> can become a "hybrid vehicle" by installing an extra battery and a
> control system to charge from the alternator when the engine's
original
> battery is finished charging. Battery switching, with 12 volt or dry
cell
> or even button batteries is a key concept in the solar transition.
>
> one window solar electric system (four square feet)
> 12 volt, with AC inverter and possible grid connect
> The one window system is 4 square feet of solar collector and should be
> almost as easy to install as an air conditioner. Open the window,
erect
> the frame, aim it at the sun, attach collector, plug it in, and close
the
> window.
>
> There should be a consistent look and feel to all the products along
the
> product chain and as much inter-operability as possible.
by Stan. SWAN - Sat Dec 03 (2005)
Modify cheap solar garden lights?
I'm in Wellington (New Zealand) & work in education - electronics, energy
etc, with lifelong hands on experiences with alternatives. THOUGHT: Solar
powered garden lamps now flood hardware stores world wide, & here in NZ
they're as cheap as US$2 each. Although their light output is pretty
modest used outdoors ( & YES- they attract insects), they're a goldmine
of quality parts (switch, 2v 30mA epoxy covered PV, NiCd battery & holder,
white LED etc),that could be "reorganised" into a more suitable directed
reading light. I'd say another US$2 should do it if a simple plastic or
cardboard design was used? I'd be happy to consider this myself, but any
thoughts ?
by Reinder / Demotech - Sat Dec 03 (2005)
Re: Modify cheap solar garden lights?
You are so right!
Indeed the industrial development of solar powered lighting creates
opportunities. From taking such a device apart much can be learned
Reorganizing seems a good approach. It could result in a very useful and
reliable device for illumination inside a home. We should sort this out
and provide a manual for indoor solar lighting
The same hold true for smaller devices that are or will come on the
market. The way marketing works, electronic parts become available at a
cost level affordable at lowest income level. But only if bought
integrated in such a product. A similar manual for a device as the
NightReader could be developed in this way. A general available electronic
product could so be upgraded for a task like the NightReader.
I myself lack electronic knowledge. May I invite you to spend together
some time on further development of these ideas? Please send me your mail
address.
Greetings, Reinder
by Stan. SWAN - Tue Dec 06 (2005)
Solar charged head lamps
Whoops- some months later!
Following an approach from some NZ missionaries
in rural Niger, I've recently been exploring dirt cheap lighting options, based around dirt cheap solar garden lamps.
Naturally these may suit African use, so herewith several sites to check
www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/jackpv.jpg - US $2 "Sun made" idea for some 10 yo. kids here
www.manuka.orcon.net.nz/gardlamp.jpg Portable reading lamp in a specimen jar etc
www.manuka.orcon.net.nz/ledlamp.jpg African wearing an LED headlamp.
I've even got some Industrial Design students on tap considering this as a project in a few months ( ~ mid August) as an example of democratic hi-tech. Fancy using them ?
Following extensive trials here we're VERY focused on ultrabright white headlamps in fact, as they're-
Highly cost effective, although present lowest prices ~ US$5 each
Now very lightweight & easily worn
Automatically direct light where you're looking
LEDs are super efficient & rugged- near unlimited life
Hands free operation allows other tasks to be done
Reduction in shadows from ones hands
Straps can be embellished to suit user !
Lamp less likely to be put down & left behind
Flexibility- light can be used where needed
Elimination of fixed solar wiring costs & PV/scrap metal thefts
AA or AAA rechargeable batteries within the lamps can used for other items- radios etc
When bike riding elevated head mounting is safer
If solar powered, lamps can simply be hung on a sunny hook behind a window during the day
( typically we find an hour charging will give 3 hours night light use)
Hope this is of interest - Stan
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You can assist search machines to find this topic by sending Demotech an email form with one or more appropriate names for this device in your language. Such as: , .... nachtlicht, studeerlampje, studeerverlichting, boeklamp, leeslamp, ledslamp, minilamp, led's lamp, leds lamp, ....
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