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Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
THE "CROYLITE" MARK 2
MUSIC STAND LIGHTING SYSTEM
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Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
N.B. SINGLE LIGHTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AS WELL AS SETS OF 10 LIGHTS
WHY WOULD YOU NEED IT ?
If you are a musician who has to play outside at night, or in the pit of a darkened theatre, you are in need of a way to light up your music pages.
As a player and administrator at Croydon Citizens' Bands I found there were many occasions at the local Christmas Carols in the Park when the lighting technician turned off the lights for a terrific visual effect, and I was unable to see my music.
WHAT IS IT?
With that in mind, I collaborated with some friends who were involved in manufacture, to design a music stand lighting system, which originally used low voltage festoon globes, as used in car interior roof lights. The low voltage was used for safety reasons. These lights were purchased and used by Croydon Citizens' Bands for about five years, and have proven very successful. Technology has now advanced to the point where we have been able to redesign the system to use eight light emitting diodes (LEDs). The basic unit consists of a clear rigid plastic tube 260 mm long and 32 mm in diameter, with a press on/off switch at one end, and a low voltage socket for the power lead at the other end. A small printed circuit board inside the tube holds eight LEDs which provide a bright white light. The plastic tube clips into a special holder which is in turn clipped on to the music stand. This holds the lamp horizontal above the stand, and about 95 mm out from the music. (see Figures 1 and 2 above)
WHAT IS SO GOOD ABOUT THE SYSTEM?
Our lights now have the following very desirable features:-
Designed with input from musicians to be as practical and as useful as possible.
Run from low voltage (12 volts) supplied by an approved Plug Pack, so there is no danger of electric shock. The eight LEDs are electrically grouped in pairs, and have a voltage regulator supplying their power. This means that they are run at a fixed voltage, well isolated from mains disturbances. This will help to make them last for years.
Full system is based around 10 lights, which operate on a "daisy chained" circuit powered by the one plug pack This enables very easy and rapid connection of the lights, ranging from one to ten lights as required. Fig 3 shows the plug pack with one of the three connector boxes used in the "daisy chain". Diagram 1 shows how these all fit together to connect 10 lights. You can run one light from just the plug pack. To run 2 to 4 lights use one distribution box, for up to 7 lights add the second distribution box, and add the third and final box for up to 10 lights. For even more lights you will need a further system or systems.
A single light is supplied with its own plug pack, which has just one lead to run to the lamp. In this case there is no need for a connector box.
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Figure 3 |
Very low power consumption of only 0.6 watts per light, and 13.2 watts for a system of 10 lights including the plug pack, so there is very little heat generated. (Due to its circuitry, the plug pack is actually quite significant in the overall power consumption.)
Very light weight. A set of ten lights with all components in a plastic carry case weighs only 5 Kg.
The LEDs don't have filaments to blow, and should last for many years, so maintenance is minimal. This contrasts very favourably with the original system, which has to be checked for blown globes after each use, and also has very heavy transformers and much higher power consumption.
WHAT DO THEY COST?
The cost of a set of 10 lights is $830 including GST (which won't appear on your invoice at present, as it has already been paid by the supplier. This may change in the future). The cost of a single light with its own power supply is $85. In each case there is a small cost for packing and postage/freight, ranging from about $8 to $28 depending on weight and distance. We wish we could make them cheaper, but that hasn't been possible. Firstly, they are made here in Australia, where good quality parts and labour are not always cheap. Secondly, they are not a high volume product, so there is little opportunity for economies of scale. We don't see them ever selling in large numbers either. Believe it or not, they are actually cheaper than the original version, due to the technology changes made. As a startup business we have limited stock, and orders may have to manufactured on request, and a 10% deposit paid in advance.
HOW CAN YOU BUY THEM?
Enquiries about these lights should be made to Ian Douglas at:-
"CROYLITE SYSTEMS"
PO Box 16
BAYSWATER Vic 3153
Telephone (03) 9729 1508
Email:- idouglas@melbpc.org.au
