An unusual device, designed for use by civilian technicans and others working in cramped, dark conditions where getting proper lighting is immpossible.
Designer: Shimizu Fleet Yards Manufacturer: Shimizu Fleet Yards Price: 28~50 KS Year of Production: YE 31
Name: Shaklite Portable Worklamp, Mk I Nomenclature: SA-G1-1a Type: Mechanically powered light. Role: Illumination in non-optimal conditions. Length: 7 inches Mass: 500g
Looking akin to a glow-stick with a handle, the Shaklite was not designed with aesthetics in mind, instead attention was turned to making the mechanism as simple and reliable as possible while also making it easy to produce. The device is about seven inches (7“) long, and resembles a long cylinder with a slight widening where the handle meets the LED. Three inches (3”) of the length are taken up by the handle, which contains the induction motor and capacitor, on the outside is a small switch used to turn the device on or off. Above the handle is a LED with a relatively large cover filter designed to channel the light most efficently out of the device.
The device is shaken lengthwise to work the induction motor and charge the capacitor, then the switch is turned on to activate the LED. About thirty seconds of stern shaking is enough to power the device for five minutes, assuming the capacitor is undamaged.
The induction motor operates on the law of induction, using a tiny rare earth magnet sliding back and forth through a solenoid when shaken, inducing a charge and sending it into the capacitor, where it is stored temporarily. When the switch closes the circuit, the current is fed through the LED.
While not orginally designed for customisation, several different colour filters are avialable for purchase. These are not supported by the manufacturer and must be attached by themselves. Construction is simple enough that a skilled owner could change to LED if they wanted, again, not supported by the manufacturer.
The Shaklite is a bit of a black sheep with SASI, usually known for their ship designs a small torch was an odd occurance. However, in an effort to generate enough capital for larger ship designs, SASI released a small, easy to produce product to fill a niche market, the Shaklite being the product of choice.
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25/10/09 - Minor spellcheck + Reformat. (Must fix links) 30/10/09 - Major reformat + details.