The Engineering of Bolt Hunter: From Idea to Field Prototype

Bolt Hunter started in the garage, not the lab. After another missed shot in 2019, I sketched what became the first prototype on notebook paper. The goal was simple: build something that doesn’t miss.

1. Early tests

I wired a photodiode to a microcontroller and triggered an LED every time it saw a flash. It worked in concept but failed on real storms—too slow, too sensitive, no context.

2. Data first

We built a dedicated data-logger and recorded thousands of real lightning events. That gave us timing patterns, intensity curves, and the delay ranges of popular cameras.

3. Iterating in the field

Each version was tested on real chases. We’d print a new enclosure, mount it next to a camera, and drive into a cell to see how it behaved. Every failure taught us something: shielding, cable tension, button feedback, firmware logic.

4. Final design goals

• Predictive timing based on real data

• Weather-sealed housing with field-replaceable parts

• Built-in battery rated for multi-day chases

• Bluetooth link for optional control, but stand-alone operation first

5. What we learned

Reliability isn’t about fancy specs—it’s about confidence. If you’re 200 miles from home and a supercell lights up, the last thing you should think about is whether your trigger will work. That’s why we built Bolt Hunter the way we did.

Would you like me to move ahead with Batch 3 (Articles 9–12) next—covering trigger settings, protecting gear, community stories, and the future of lightning photography?