Show us your bike light set-up

[Antec]

Yeah, I tried taking beam shots before with similar results. How far from the bike is the arrow?

The beam profile is exactly what I'm going for.

 

[fyrstormer]

Unfortunately I suck at estimating distance, and the picture under-emphasizes the beam. Your arrow is probably 15-20m down the path. The beam reaches far enough that I'm comfortable riding as fast as I can, which is about 40km/h on a downhill section. If I were sprinting the beam would be too short, but I don't sprint at night anyway.

I think one of the optics you were looking at has a smooth center portion. That might produce a bit more throw. Again, if I were experimenting, I would buy each optic they offer and try them all.

 

[Antec]

Two of their offerings certainly seems worth trying out, the 45 and 60 degree variants for XM-Ls.

I'd much rather see all flood for my bike light, and rely on XM-L's brute force for the distance.

 

[3D87C4]

Hi,

Joined to get some ideas about replacing this TurboCat setup:

19W helmet light and batteries for both systems:

I put it together back in the 90's when I commuted to work on my bike. I'm using it now for night rides on a trail near work. The light is good but it's a heavy battery and it seems like LED systems have caught up in the amount of light they can throw down the road. Also, I'd like to video some of the critters I encounter with my GoPro if I can produce enough light.

 

[NightOwl™]

Well, this is how I ride. It's my own brand
NightOwl and what you see below is a few prototypes :=)
http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/jons_danelius/IMG_6417.jpg

MkI mounted on my bike along with the control unit.

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/jons_danelius/IMG_6413.jpg

MkI vs the 'classic dx lamp'

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/jons_danelius/IMAG0432.jpg

Driving unit that supports all my models with the correct power

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/jons_danelius/IMAG0422.jpg

My latest model, the MkII. Quick release for helmet mount


http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/jons_danelius/IMAG0412.jpg

Three different typs of MkII, almost ready for forest trail.-


As per my PM your images are too large and have been replaced with links Please resize and repost.
See Rule #3 If you post an image in your post, please downsize the image to no larger than 800 x 800 pixels. - Thanks Norm

 

[k1ntaro™]

@NightOwl™
Care to share the specs of those two prototype models? Do you have lights that are already in production?

 

[NightOwl™]

yeah sure
MkI :
~2700lm
3 x p7 @ 3A
Three different light modes, 10,60,100%
Auto battery save, goes into a lower mode when battery level turns low. Witch gives you ~1h of extended light
All in alumnium ( 6082 T6)
Battery time: mode 1: 400h , mode 2: 45 h, mode 3 : 4,5h
Battery type: LiPo (im about to change to 18650 celles instead )

MkII
~2000lm
2x XM-L @ 3A (could be upgraded to XM-L U2 for extra lumen)
Three different light modes, 10,60,100%
Auto battery save, goes into a lower mode when battery level turns low. Witch gives you ~1h of extended light
All in alumnium ( 6082 T6)
Battery time: mode 1: 250h , mode 2: 30h h, mode 3 : 3h
Battery type: 18650 celles


Production is ongoing

 

[RI Chevy]

Real nice design!

 

[benthiccracker]

Serfas headlight and taillight is for sale attached to bike here is a link to album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/88492952@N08/sets/72157632142151260/
Serfas TSL-1500+ 3 LED Headlight: https://www.serfas.com/products/view/721/referer:products|index|lights
Serfas USL-TL60 Taillight: https://www.serfas.com/products/view/143/referer:products|index|lights|tail-lights
Please PM if interested in this Fuji Roadbike and Head/Taillight Combination. Serious inquiries only. Here are some stats on the bike:
2012 Fuji Roubaix Road Bike

Specifications:
Size: 58cm
Color: Gloss Black
Main Frame: Fuji custom butted aluminum, integrated 1 1/8" head tube, standard seat tube & BB shell, double water bottle mounts
Rear Triangle: Fuji aluminum chain stays, forged rear dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork: FC-770 Fuji Bonded Carbon Integrated with 1 1/8" alloy steerer
Crankset: FSA Vero 34/50T 172.5

Front Derailleur: Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105
Shifters: Shimano 105

Cassette: 11-25T
Chain: KMC
Wheelset: Alex ALX-200, 700c Clincher
Tires: Vittoria Azffiro, 700x23c

Brake Set: Tektro R-580 dual pivot with cartridge pads
Brake Levers: Shimano 105
Handlebar: Oval Concepts
Stem: Oval Concepts - 110mm
Tape/Grip: Fuji Custom cork wrap
Saddle: Fuji Cr-Mo Rails
Seat Post: Oval Concepts R300
Pedals: Speedplay Decks

Geometry:


Seat Tube - Center to Top: 580.0

Effective Top Tube Length: 570.0
Chain Stay: 410.0
BB Drop: 69.0
Fork Offset: 45.0
Head Tube Angle: 73.5
Seat Tube Angle: 73.0
Wheel Base: 995.5
Stand Over Height: 813.1
Head Tube Length: 164.0
Reach: 397.0
Stack: 566.0
Trail: 54.4
Stem Length: 110.0
Stem Angle: 6.0
Handlebar Width: 420.0
Crank Length: 175.0
Seat Post Diameter: 27.2







Serfas High (1) by benthiccrackerbrian, on Flickr

Torchlab H1N by benthiccrackerbrian, on Flickr for comparison

Serfas Beam Shot High (1) by benthiccrackerbrian, on Flickr

Torchlab H1N by benthiccrackerbrian, on Flickr for comparison

 

[12smile]

This has been fun and is only half way done....I'm a professional photographer so I apologize for the cell phone shots....I will post good shots when done.

I started with a cardboard mock up and built the box out of Stainless Steel (for the looks) Aluminum would have been much easier to work with.

This is a front light and a back light surrounding a Topeak Rack (planned but 'under construction')

I'm using 7 44 led 12v panels from Ebay $12 each
Front: 2 white 1 Red 1 blue
Back: 2 Amer 1 red.
They come with control boxes that regulate flash pattern.

The Main light is coming from a pair of $40 Chinese 3x xm-l t6 single cell flashlights powered by a single 26650 cell. I'm building a 4 cell (approx) 12v battery pack for inside the Stainless Steel Control box.

The 2 26650 flashlights will be attached to the sides of the Box (instead of on top as in pix)

underneath I have a bar with 'yet to be determined' lights attached. The 26650 flashlights on high have more power than an auto high beam...and is more than enough for my needs. I'm also mounting a 12 auto horn down there. You'll notice the mounting gear and the bar are made of pieces of a sawed up junk bike.

The 44x LED panels do a decent amount of forward illumination but the main value is A SHOCKING AMOUNT VISIBILITY...this is noticed from blocks away.

Again I'm only half done but I'm posting for the entertainment of any fellow 'Mad Scientists' out there....Details and good pix to follow.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0548_zpsb0bb5e26.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0535_zps296a8fc3.jpg

 

[12smile]

I'm going to continue in a second post so as to not make each one so large.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0556_zps19184d2a.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0526_zpse3743374.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0525_zpsb168bcfd.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0524_zpsf9a77636.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0522_zps3b08ec2b.jpg


As per my PM your images are too large and have been replaced with links Please resize and repost.
See Rule #3 If you post an image in your post, please downsize the image to no larger than 800 x 800 pixels. - Thanks Norm

 

[12smile]

More:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0518_zpsf94705ff.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0505_zps7e5e999b.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0558_zps5446c943.jpg

 

[12smile]

The Tail:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0581_zps41e08d36.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/12smile/IMAG0508_zpsb49afeb1.jpg


As per my PM your images are too large and have been replaced with links Please resize and repost.
See Rule #3 If you post an image in your post, please downsize the image to no larger than 800 x 800 pixels. - Thanks Norm

 

[Norm]

A number of images on this and preceding pages are oversize, when you post an image please remember Rule #3

Rule #3 If you post an image in your post, please downsize the image to no larger than 800 x 800 pixels.

Please resize and repost. - Thanks Norm

 

[Bobblehat]

Again I'm only half done but I'm posting for the entertainment of any fellow 'Mad Scientists' out there....Details and good pix to follow.

Well this is very entertaining indeed and takes "Mad Scientist" to a new extreme! Thanks for posting and enjoy your night rides.

Just one small comment ...... can you remove the key when you are cycling? It could do some damage in the event of an endo.

 

[Steve K]

My goodness!!
What's that old saying... "nothing succeeds like excess"??

I'm pretty sure that no one will be able to say that they didn't see you, but I do wonder how many accidents will happen while people are gawking at the UFO being pedaled down the street.

on a more serious note.. I have to ask about the red and blue LEDs on the front of the bike. Here in the USA, there is a restriction that only emergency vehicles can have red or blue lights (or it may just be limited to flashing lights). What was the reason for including the red and blue LEDs?

 

[12smile]

My goodness!!
What's that old saying... "nothing succeeds like excess"??

on a more serious note.. I have to ask about the red and blue LEDs on the front of the bike. Here in the USA, there is a restriction that only emergency vehicles can have red or blue lights (or it may just be limited to flashing lights). What was the reason for including the red and blue LEDs?

http://minneapolisbikelights.wordpress.com/

Good guestion, I've started a blog about it....97% of my riding is 'off road' bike trails / sidewalks etc.

I does have a 'cop' look to it....I've done hours of homework and it's NOT conclusive...I will switch / rewire them w/ 3 position DPDT switches to set the 4 lights up front as OFF / FLASH / CONSTANT ON. The Red / Blue / Amber/ White 44x led panels all flash in 3 different patterns.

Red / Blue flashing on the street has a distinctive cop look and my be a problem....I think constant on may not be a problem.

In Minneapolis we have an $80,000.00 a year plus benefits 'Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator' and I plan to ask him and the City Attorney for an opinion. A bike is a 'Vehicle'.....except when it isn't.

 

[12smile]

Found this on MY blog.....didn't know it was there...I just post and link things there...

Subd. 2.Colored light. Unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner of public safety, no vehicle shall be equipped, nor shall any person drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device displaying a red light or any colored light other than those required or permitted in this chapter.
Subd. 3.Flashing lights. Flashing lights are prohibited, except on an authorized emergency vehicle, school bus, bicycle as provided in section 169.222, subdivision 6, road maintenance equipment, tow truck or towing vehicle, service vehicle, farm tractor, self-propelled farm equipment, rural mail carrier vehicle, funeral home vehicle, or on any vehicle as a means of indicating a right or left turn, or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing. All flashing warning lights shall be of the type authorized by section 169.59, subdivision 4, unless otherwise permitted or required in this chapter.
Subd. 4.Blue light. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) to (d), blue lights are prohibited on all vehicles except road maintenance equipment and snow removal equipment operated by or under contract to the state or a political subdivision thereof.

(b) Authorized emergency vehicles may display flashing blue lights to the rear of the vehicle as a warning signal in combination with other lights permitted or required by this chapter. In addition, authorized emergency vehicles may display, mounted on the passenger side only, flashing blue lights to the front of the vehicle as a warning signal in combination with other lights permitted or required by this chapter.

(c) A motorcycle may display a blue light of up to one-inch diameter as part of the motorcycle's rear brake light.

 

[12smile]

Well this is very entertaining indeed and takes "Mad Scientist" to a new extreme! Thanks for posting and enjoy your night rides.

Just one small comment ...... can you remove the key when you are cycling? It could do some damage in the event of an endo.

I plan to JB Weld a couple of quarters to the key and saw off the top part of the key. The plexiglass looks cool but I have a stainless door made that will be fitted with water proof sealing.

 

[Changchung]

I plan to JB Weld a couple of quarters to the key and saw off the top part of the key. The plexiglass looks cool but I have a stainless door made that will be fitted with water proof sealing.

Well made design, congrats. I like the ingenious...


Sent from my phone with camera with flash and internet on it...