My dual MTE P7 bike-light setup (with beamshots)

[Wiggle]

Hello,
Just posting my new light setup I've got going.

(2) MTE 5-mode P-7s modded to run on external power
(6) 18650 Trustfire 2500mAh protected batteries in parallel
(2) Fenix light mounts superglued on the 90 degree position
(1) Viewpoint spacebar
Anderson power pole connectors and wiring for the connection.

Beamshots:

Set 1:
Control, L2D Turbo, Single P7, Double P7

Set 2:
Control, L2D Turbo, Single P7, Double P7

 

[notnormal]

Nice setup. Would you please post more information about your external battery pack modification for the P7 torches. I'm interested in doing something similar.

 

[rayman]

Looks nice. Did you also change out the driver boards?

rayman

 

[Wiggle]

Looks nice. Did you also change out the driver boards?

rayman

Nope they're both stock other than the holes I drilled in them.

 

[Wiggle]

Nice setup. Would you please post more information about your external battery pack modification for the P7 torches. I'm interested in doing something similar.

Heres the battery pack I made. It uses 6 Trustfire 2500mAh batteries in parallel. There are springs in the tubes to make contacts as the two aluminum halves are tightened together. Its wrapped in some cardboard and garbage bag now for waterproofing and short protection. They are protected batteries as well so less likely to explode.

Sorry I don't have pics of the flashlights mod but I just drilled a hole in the side, installed a grommet (to make it look nice and maybe waterproof too) and ran two wires into the enclosure. I needed to remove the pill/heatsink to get access to the positive connection, I just soldered to the respective springs for +/- connection and then routed those wires out into a harness with anderson power pole connectors.

Both the battery and the lights are on short wires that disconnect for charging, avoiding theft, extreme weather etc... while the main large gauge wire stays on the bike.

The only problem I'm having now is charge time, the charger I have is meant for 2500mAh cells, not 15000mAh:candle: So it takes quite a while to charge if I run the batteries pretty low (like the other night I went 2.5 hours with both lights on high). I'll have to get a faster charger.

 

[herulach]

A nice simple mod would be one of KDs Super Output 2.8A drivers, and rewiring your pack 2s3p. Should probably improvebrightness significantly, as well as givig you a useable range of lights (I find low fine for being seen, medium is roughly equivalent to how it was DD, and high is eye watering)

 

[Wiggle]

I've got 5-modes on either light and high mode claims to be 2800mA, but I'd like to measure that because I'm skeptical. If its only 2000 or so, mybe I'll replace the driver and get some more output at the expense of burn time.

 

[notnormal]

Thanks for the extra details Wiggle. Your explanation and photo of the battery pack was nice and concise :twothumbs.

 

[EdFromOhio]

That's a pretty cool setup. I have a similar single 18650 MTE light and use it when riding on a nearby bike trail.

Even with the one, I often get "Can you turn that thing on ANY BRIGHTER?!?" or "I'm blind now, thanks!"

Or the most common one "Holy crap!"

It is a really nice light. Maybe not the best build quality, but VERY bright.

 

[dtheo]

Hi,
Judging at the pics, it doesn't look like the double set-up provides a lot more light than the single. Is that true or are the pictures not telling the whole story.

thanks,DT

 

[duppencf]

I run with both single and dual p7's like this and the second one does make a difference, although I can blaze down pretty technical downhill trails with just one.

Love the battery pack. I may have to do something like this.

 

[pushy]

I've done something similar, but intended for helmet lights.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~tw15ted/images/tutorial.pdf
not sure if these mints containers are available in the US

Here's the latest version dispensing with the battery barrel of the flashlight.

and for the bar lights, this