Ideas for patrol light project

Ideas for patrol light project (PROJECT COMPLETED)

this may be way to ambitious for me to even consider but I am interested in giving this a shot so any help would be appreciated. Even if you just call me nuts. :laughing:
I am looking to build our own flashing led lights for our bike patrol. I am not happy with the ones I can find on the net and think I should be able to put together something better and cheaper myself. Of course, since I have not experience with this I am just guessing but from what I have read it seems plausible.
I am looking to build something that is bright enough to be seen from half and mile or more away. It needs to flash quickly. Also needs to be mounted on handlebars or rear rack and stand up to the test of lots of riding in sometimes difficult situations. Will need to have alternating red and blue lights. Battery operation can be water bottle 12 volt type if necessary.
here is an example of one that would model it after....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY1GF...eature=channel

I am thinking about the $100 range or less for this project but that may not be realistic. I have no experience in this area and I know this is probably nuts to want to tackle. Am I off base for what I think can be accomplished? I am sure it can be done for cheaper than what I find on the net.
Let me know what else I can answer for you. And thanks for the help.

How do the LED modules connect into the battery/circuit portion? If it plugs in, you might just be able to make your own LED modules with your choice of LED's.

It looks like there are groups of 4 led's on each side of the handlebar, if the originals are the right led, maybe they can be replaced with a single MC-E module.

The groups of 2 on the back might be trickier.


Oh yeah, what kind of result are you hoping for with this project?

divine said:

How do the LED modules connect into the battery/circuit portion? If it plugs in, you might just be able to make your own LED modules with your choice of LED's.

It looks like there are groups of 4 led's on each side of the handlebar, if the originals are the right led, maybe they can be replaced with a single MC-E module.

The groups of 2 on the back might be trickier.


Oh yeah, what kind of result are you hoping for with this project?

Click to expand...

i am not sure about the setup in the video. I have messaged him with no response so far.

Hi, Kramer, I hope you dont mind if I post here the responce what I send you;

Hi, of course you can put something like that in your bike, if you use this kind of battery holder;

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=213929

You can have a good runtime, using the battery holder in serie, 3.6 X 4 = 14.4 volts

If you want the easy way, buy a pair of head Leds lights, I can recomend you the Impaxx by Federal Signal, check this video, I am in love of this lights, I buy 4 more;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFmN7CCGhn0

If you can, buy from this guy, retail price 62$ his price 40$, yes, 40 box each one...

http://www.elightbars.org/bb3/viewto...464893#p464893

If you need any help about it just let me know...

I forget, If you want the same light for the rear you can go with;

http://www.elightbars.org/bb3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=62649&sid=ab62573c8fd2c721ab84616e30f26609

The lights are the 4 Led version, I buy 20 lights from him, It is a realy nice guy.

All the price are shipped to USA :thumbsup:

going with something like that would make it pretty simple it seems. If I understand right, I would just need to attach a battery pack, as you suggested, and it would be good to go. The lights are only 3.5 inches wide which isnt too wide. I would just need to figure out how to attach it to the mountain bike handlebars so that it doesnt fall off or get damaged while riding.

kramer said:

going with something like that would make it pretty simple it seems. If I understand right, I would just need to attach a battery pack, as you suggested, and it would be good to go. The lights are only 3.5 inches wide which isnt too wide. I would just need to figure out how to attach it to the mountain bike handlebars so that it doesnt fall off or get damaged while riding.

Click to expand...

Yes, this is what I suggest, about the attach theme... mmmm

What if you try with this kind of mount???

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5819

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3207

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5763

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5523

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4772

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5777

You will need some metal plate piece to attach the light and them attach this piece to the mount...

divine said:

How do the LED modules connect into the battery/circuit portion? If it plugs in, you might just be able to make your own LED modules with your choice of LED's.

It looks like there are groups of 4 led's on each side of the handlebar, if the originals are the right led, maybe they can be replaced with a single MC-E module.

The groups of 2 on the back might be trickier.


Oh yeah, what kind of result are you hoping for with this project?

Click to expand...

The lights what I recomend to use had their own circuit flasher in with so many patterns what you can sync with 8 lights of the same model, you just need to connect with a switch to the battery pack, I have in mind to buy this kind of swith for my motorbike;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0317052915&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

the instructions for the impaxx lights suggest using a fuse inline with the power connection. do you think this is necessary in this situation?

kramer said:

the instructions for the impaxx lights suggest using a fuse inline with the power connection. do you think this is necessary in this situation?

Click to expand...

Is not a bad idea put it, just for case, 1 amp fuse will be enougt for two lamps...

for batteries, I am also thinking about fitting the 18650's into a water bottle carrier of some kind.

re:18650 - just make sure you use cells that are safe for multi-cell applications, or include with the bundle a protection circuit (battery space sells them)

Back to give the final details on the project.
For the lights, I went with two Federal Signal Impaxx lights. the battery holder was courtesy of turboferret (big thanks to him for a fine product. was so good I got two). Used 4 Tenergy Li-Ion 18650 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable batteries wired following his instructions for 4S1P 14.8V. Using coil cable, a Project Box Enclosure 3x2x1, and SPST High-Current Mini Toggle Switch all from radio shack.
My only confusing point was how I was going to secure the lights to the handlebars. There were many options but I wanted the lights to be mounted in such a way to give them protection from falls. So some methods just would not work. I eventually settled on some reflector/light brackets I had laying around. They were perfect because they were already the perfect diameter and I knew they would hold tightly which obviously was important. I decided not to use a mounting bracket after realizing it was just too big and was just getting in the way. My original plan was to mount the lights on either side of the handlebars but there is limited space to make that work. I tried them on top of each other and liked how it looked and it fit the requirement to be protected so that is they ended up. I used the bezel on both lights because it allowed for a more secure fit I thought and better weather proofing and protection.
I originally had planned to put the battery holder in the wedge between the top tube and down tube but changed my mind. I had it first set up with the battery holder and wiring secured with velcro below the handlebars and behind the lights. The switch was then mounted with velcro on the handlebar stem. However I moved the battery holder to under the seat inside a bag now. I like that location better I think (atleast until I find something else I like better). These lights are very bright and will easily be seen. I have included pictures and videos below.
It turns out I had too much wiring for what I needed so next time I will try something else for wiring. I also might use a different switch as I dont think the box is really necessary for this. However I like the box and switch where it is because I dont have to try to find room for it on the handlebars.
I plan on setting up more of these. I am considering switching to the tomar rect14. The can be split red/blue so I will just need one of them instead of two. They are also just an inch longer then the Impaxx so it wont take up much more room. I planned to stay with the 18650 batteries but the holder is a problem now since turboferret is out of business. I was thinking of a few different choices:

NiMH Battery Pack: 13.2V 4500mAh + Smart Fast Charger (1.8A) for Bike lights (Trailtech Plug)
http://www.batteryspace.com/nimhbat...fastcharger18aforbikelightstrailtechplug.aspx

LiFePO4 18650 Battery: 12.8V 1500 mAh (Flat, 19.2Wh, 4A rate) with PCB (1.8)
http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo418650battery128v1350mahflat1728wh4aratewithpcb.aspx

Lithium Li-Ion 18650 14.8V 2200mAh Battery Pack
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tenergy-14-8v-2200.html

NiMH Battery Pack: 12V 3500mAh (P-1000) Flat Pack + Male Connector
http://www.batteryspace.com/nimhbatterypack12v3500mahp-1000flatpackmaleconnector.aspx

I am not sure about these so any thoughts would be appreciated. And be gentle, this was my first time. Big thanks to tony for some parts details and to Changchung.

Here are some pics and vids of the final product.

Video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k723djx4Euw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq3DNJwT1LI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqI-FdSaPDI

Look awesome my friend... Very nice and bright, very well done, I am thinking in put one white front and one red back in my bike...

I am probably switching to the Tomar RECT14. Bottom line is pricing with those and I think we will be happy with them. Its worth a try for one. The battery is what I am stuck on. I am now considering using the luminous holders (http://www.luminousdiy.com/Light Kits and Parts.htm#holders) or the few I listed above. At some point I may put together my own battery pack but that will probably be later.