Wireless light bulb - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2019, 12:51:45 pm
content: There has been a considerable amount of discussion surrounding wireless light bulbs of late, with a number of products being marketed for use in “smart home” installations. However, all the units I have examined have failed to live up to expectations, in a fairly fundamental way.My current project has been the development of a true wireless light bulb. As can be seen from the photo of the prototype unit, it is capable is functioning without any wires whatsoever. I should have a full circuit description put together in the next few days, but in the meantime, you can have a look at the demonstration video athttp://loopgain.net/wirelesslightbulb/wirelesslightbulb.mp4

author: Miti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2019, 03:51:37 pm
content: My entire lab is wireless, I'm completely disconnected from the grid except for the ground. It's true that when I turn on the old HP spectrum analyzer, the frequency has a hard time keeping up, it goes down to about 57Hz from 60Hz, but it's not too bad. The entire lab when everything is turned on, takes less than 400W however.I tried the same thing with the fridge but it blows the fuse, I'm not there yet (inrush current). The lab is ok.I can't wait to see your idea, then I'll post mine.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2019, 07:48:36 pm
content: Looks like another April fools gag.

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2019, 09:24:59 pm
content: Don't you open thattrap door. You're a fool if you dare.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2019, 09:35:47 pm
content: Just another wireless resistor application. Nothing to see here.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2019, 09:56:20 pm
content: Quote from: PETER ERSKINE on March 31, 2019, 09:37:59 pmYes those exist. I've seen the type with a pull-cord quite cheaply in discount stores, but the type shown by the original poster doesn't have room for a battery and is clearly a fake.

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 12:29:01 pm
content: Happy April Fool's Day everyone!There was no video editing trickery or anything, here's how it was done:http://loopgain.net/wirelesslightbulb/Quote from: Buriedcode on March 31, 2019, 09:24:59 pm

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 04:22:43 pm
content: Quote from: PETER ERSKINE on March 31, 2019, 11:57:00 pmProve it!

author: jaycee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 04:49:29 pm
content: Wireless incandescent light bulbs are easy. Just put it in the microwave

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 06:45:55 pm
content: Quote from: PETER ERSKINE on April 01, 2019, 04:42:43 pmYes, I know about thoseand have already agreed with you that they're real, but they're totally different to the one in the photograph posted by the original poster, which is fake.Can you really not tell the difference?The photograph in the original post, which is fake.The ones which you talk of and are real.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 07:06:56 pm
content: Quote from: Zero999 on April 01, 2019, 06:45:55 pmHey, the OP has already solved this riddle (reply #7). There is indeed a small battery in the base of that lightbulb, it is not a fake image.It's not a commercially available bulb, and the operating time will not make it too practical in daily use or as emergency lighting. But I can totally see its potential in practical jokes!EDIT: Changed the reply # which I referred to, since Peter Erskine has chosen to delete a few posts of his.(I recommend against that, Peter. It breaks the flow of the dialog in the thread, and your posts are documented in the quotes anyway. Better to edit your post, strike out what you no longer uphold, and add a comment explaining why.)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 10:29:55 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on April 01, 2019, 07:06:56 pmSorry I didn't click on the link. Yes, real after all, but not practical like the commercial products, which are totally different.

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2019, 06:29:08 am
content: Quote from: jaycee on April 01, 2019, 04:49:29 pmYeah, also works with CFLs...Quote from: blueskull on April 01, 2019, 07:41:27 pmOops, looks like I should have spotted the potential difference of opinions over how it worked, didn't mean to start a flame war. I figured it is so easy to fake photos these days, that doing so would be considered cheating...

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2019, 06:35:06 am
content: It may be over for you, but April 1st isn't yet over worldwide. Give it a few more hours before anything is back to normal levels of believability.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2019, 04:47:44 am
content: You could also do it induction powered with a coil in the base. Tesla invented them as part of his whole wireless power scheme. In fact you can buy floating induction lamps as a novelty item.Also, a battery and bulb (not sure if integrated) was probably used in the "cheese lamp" prank on the Carbanaro Effect.You could do this with any normal lamp using those emergency backup bulbs as any conductive substance like fruit or something would trigger it.

author: johnwa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2019, 10:33:55 am
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on April 03, 2019, 04:47:44 amYeah, I had a bit of a play around with this a while ago when I was doing some induction heating experiments.Quote from: Cyberdragon on April 03, 2019, 04:47:44 amHaha, nice, yes, I think most of those lamps will work with even a quite high resistance across the terminals - I know my circuit will work with a couple of meg (with R5 removed).I suppose, if you found a plug with two prongs of dissimilar metals, it would actually generate a bit of voltage if you plugged it into something acidic - perhaps enough to run an LED through a joule thief?

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2019, 01:33:06 pm
content: QuoteThat's not too uncommon here, all the ones at school are brass and something silver.

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2019, 06:52:05 pm
content: I meant to post a complete technical description of my brand new "Straight Wire with Gain" product, but Monday was hectic so it will have to wait another whole year.