Products

Stealth Trap

The Stealth Trap Model 2014 was two years in development (patent pending) and testing.  For attraction of females from virtually all species and genera of mosquitoes and sand flies, the trap emits ultraviolet light (UVA, 361nm) using LEDs.  To protect the trap and battery from pilfering, we made the trap difficult for humans to see during the day because the trap and collection cup are either black or camouflage in color; at night the trap emits nearly invisible ultraviolet (UVA) radiation.  The trap can also emit white light making it equivalent to the New Standard Miniature Incandescent Light Trap Model 1012.  The circuitry in the Stealth Trap can use any voltage between 4 and 24 VDC; this enables the trap to be run using alkaline disposable batteries, 6 or 12 volt gelled-electrolyte lead-acid batteries, or light weight and compact lithium-ion batteries. 

Stealth Trap Model 2014

Full view of the Model 2014

Highlights

  • Trap has an incandescent light and 8 ultraviolet (UVA) LEDs; individually, they can be switched on or off. 
  • The trap operates on any voltage between 4 and 24 VDC. 
  • Power consumption while running only the UVA LEDs and fan is about half that of a CDC light trap.  
  • There is a built-in photo switch—lights and fan on at dusk, lights off at dawn. 
  • Can be operated with collection cup or killing jar. 
  • Designed to reduce pilfering because it is difficult to see during the day or night. 
  • The trap can be used with modern, lightweight, and very compact Li-ion batteries. 
  • The trap can use everyday 12-volt automobile batteries from any country in the world. 
  • Manual for The Stealth Trap Model 2014

The Stealth Trap Model 2014 packaged

Attractive Radiation

The trap has eight light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting ultraviolet light (UVA, 361 nm) which is attractive to females of all genera and species of mosquitoes and sand flies without using carbon dioxide (CO2).  In addition to the UVA emitting LEDs an incandescent light that is equivalent to the incandescent light of our New Standard Miniature Incandescent Light Trap Model 1012 and our CDC Miniature Light Trap Model 512.MIL (National stock number: 3740-01-106-0091).   This permits the Stealth Trap to preform identically with the CDC light traps for continuance of multiple-seasons databases that began with conventional CDC light traps.  

Stealth

To protect the trap and battery from pilfering, we made the trap difficult for humans to see during the day because the trap and collection cup are either black or camouflage in color; at night the trap emits nearly invisible ultraviolet (UVA) radiation.  

Close-up view of the Stealth Trap circuit

Power Supply and Input Voltage

The built-in power supply outputs a constant 6.3 VDC for the fan and the incandescent bulb and constant current for the LEDs independent of input voltage (4-24 VDC).  The power supply enables the trap to be run using alkaline disposable batteries (PN: 1.50 and 2.10.D) and , 6 volt (PN: 2.30 and 2.32, National stock number: 6140-00-432-0490) or 12 volt (PN: 2.35 or 2.40) gelled-electrolyte lead-acid batteries, or lightweight and compact lithium-ion batteries (PNs 1.40 and 2.10).  

Power Consumption and Runtimes Compared to CDC and UV-CDC Traps

Power consumption while running only the UVA LEDs and fan is 1.7 wt, about one-half that of our New Standard Miniature Incandescent Light Trap Model 1012  using 3.0 wt; this translates into almost twice the runtime.  The Blacklight (UV) Model 1212, requires 5.2 wt to operate the F4T5 BLB (blue-blacklight) florescent tube and fan; the Stealth Trap would run a little more than three-times longer on the same battery.   

Trapping Days per Set of Various Types and Sizes of Batteries

Chemistry Size Weight Motor + LEDs Trap hrs Trap days Remarks
Ounces Grams
Li-metal 4 ea. AA-cells 2 60 9 1 Non-rechargeable
Alkaline 4 ea. AA-cells 3 96 6 <1 Non-rechargeable
Lithium-ion 4 ea. 18650 11 300 32 3 Rechargeable
Alkaline 4 ea. D-cells 25 711 24 2 Non-rechargeable
Lead-acid 6 V 12 AmHr 69 1,950 36 4 Rechargeable
Lead-acid 12 V 12 AmHr 127 3,590 93 10 Rechargeable

Note runtime vs. battery weight:  The Li-ion battery case and four rechargeable Li-ion 18650 batteries (PNs 1.40 & 2.10) weigh only 11 ounces (300 g) and provides energy for 3 trapping days; compare this with 6 V 12 AmHr lead-acid batteries weighing 6.5-times as much and providing only 1 additional trapping days. 

Four alkaline D-cells in series will give you 24 or 25 hours of runtime.  In other words, you can get two trap nights from a set of batteries.  The circuit in the new Stealth Trap will run at 100% light levels and motor speed until each of the D-cells drains from 1.5 VDC to 0.9 volts.  Virtually all of the energy in the D-cell is consumed by the trap when the circuit stops at 0.9 volts * 4 = 3.6 volts.  Before using conventional CDC light traps you had to either live with the reddish light and slow motor/fan to get all of the energy out of the battery OR throw out the batteries with maybe 1/3 of the Amp hours still in the battery.  Also, as the circuit either bucks or busts the voltage giving you constant motor and LED output.

Photo Switch

The circuitry of the trap includes a photo switch which turns light(s) and fan motor on at dusk; in the morning the photo switch shuts off the light(s) leaving only the fan running to keep the specimens in the collection cup.  It is possible to have both lights and fan run independently of light levels. 

Prevention of Deep Discharge of Gel-Cell Lead-Acid Batteries

Because the power supply will operate down to 3.8 VDC, the power supply can be switched to stop at either 5.3 or 10.5 VDC for 6- and 12-volt lead-acid gel-cell batteries, respectively.  A third position of this switch allows the trap to run until the battery input voltage is ca. 3.7 VDC; this would be used with the Li-ion battery packs, and all non-rechargeable batteries like alkaline D-cells. 

Included Items

The Stealth Trap Model 2014 includes:

  • Trap Assembly with LEDs, incandescent light, motor and fan.
  • Photo switch
  • Lid
  • Collection cup and camouflage sock
  • Power cable and adapter
  • Instructions

Requirements

Power supply, battery types for use with the Stealth Trap:

  • Pelican waterproof alkaline battery case for D-cells (PNs: 1.50 & 2.10.D),
  • Battery case for four Li-ion batteries (PNs:  1.40 & 2.10),
  • Any of our gel-cell lead-acid batteries, or
  • Any locally-sourced lead-acid batteries for motorbike, auto, or truck.

See the options below or the batteries and chargers product page for more information.

Options

P/N Description
1.40 Battery case for 4 Li‐ion batteries.
1.50 4 D-cell External Battery Holder
2.10 Li‐ion battery set of 4 for PN 1.40
2.10.D Energizer Industrial Alkaline D-cells. Case of 12.
2.30
Sealed, Gelled-Electrolyte Battery, 6 V, 12 Amp Hrs
2.32
Sealed, Gelled-Electrolyte Battery, 6 V, 20 Amp Hrs
2.35
Sealed, Gelled-Electrolyte Battery, 12 V, 10 Amp Hrs
2.40 Sealed, Gelled-Electrolyte Battery, 12 V, 17 Amp Hrs
4.10 Motor and Fan for Miniature Traps (6-volt)
  Incandescent bulb (CM 7349)
  UVA or colored LED lights