Inductive Power on the Cheap – Philips Imageo Teatlight Teardown

[luu]

http://wp.josh.com/2015/09/06/inductive-power-on-the-cheap-philips-imageo-teatlight-teardown/

[monochromatic]

> How can Philips sell a set of 6 inductively rechargeable LED lamps with charger and glass holders for less than $80 retail?

Who in the world thinks $80 is cheap for a few tiny little lights?

[joezydeco → monochromatic]

The BOM for the charging base is probably more than the 6 lights combined.

[monochromatic → joezydeco]

It probably is. But I wouldn't expect them to have more than $20 in the base, and that seems like a high estimate.

[joosters]

Are the inductive parts that cheap? You can buy a pair of similar LED candles without the charging (but with changeable batteries) for about £1 in the UK. So that's roughly a difference of $75 for a set of six with the recharging equipment...

As a comparison, inductively charged electric toothbrushes start at around $25, and the charging equipment must be a relatively small part of their BOM.

[x5n1 → joosters]

$5.99 without the recharge.

http://www.ledtealights.net/LED-Tea-Light-With-Flickering-Sh...

25 batteries for $10

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/dollarneer-20pcs-CR2032-DL203...

4x rechargeable batteries + charger for $20

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AC110-250V-Wall-Charger-Plug-...

[toothbrush]

It's a "tealight", not a "teatlight".

[joncp → toothbrush]

I was expecting to read about some sort of dairy equipment, which would have been an interesting change of pace for HN

[eru → joncp]

Please post.

[KingMob]

"The only disappointment I have in this otherwise lovely board is that it uses 56 ohm resistors to limit current though the LEDs…"

I know the author is geeking out, but his only disappointment should be wasting energy with less efficient wireless charging in a world where power is still created by burning hydrocarbons.