Well well well – time is running short, and only one of three outstanding orders has been filled.

The boost converter is coming along – I’ve made refinements to the software that offer some good features and better performance. However, I think my hardware design needs more work… and for that, I need parts!

Out of desperation, I visited Satan’s Lair aka Radio Shack and was pleasantly surprised to find some of the items I had been missing. I managed to get a 2a 100uH inductor and (only) two 1uF tantalum capacitors. Having a proper inductor really made a big difference in the output of my boost converter – it sails to the limit I set for 25mA without any problems now, the old hand wound torrid would struggle to get past 20, begrudgingly giving me 25mA along with a lot of HEAT. The real test will be tonight – I’m going to wire up some power resistors as a test load and see if my boost converter can give me half an amp. Why 0.5A you ask? I need half an amp to drive my Moon LEDs at their fully rated 2w power.

The boost converter was originally intended to be a power supply for two parallel strings of LEDs, installed as under cabinet lights.

The lights themselves will be made of aluminum C channel and plexiglas, using 2 watt IO Moon led modules, spaced evenly along the length. I’m not sure what the spacing should be – there is probably some math that would tell me, based on viewing angle and what not. Since these are a prototype, I’m going to ballpark the spacing, so the LEDs I have (4) are spaced evenly across the length of the countertop. I need to take a few covert measurements to figure out how long the channel needs to be. I managed to find a local source, and have secured sixteen feet of aluminum C channel. This stuff has a chunky 1/8″ wall thickness and 1.5″ x 0.5″ outside measurements… combined with a little Arctic Silver, this should be an awesome heat sink for the LEDs.

Pictures to come shortly!