Back Lane Commuter Light - First Post!

[StuWW]

I need a powerful bike light to help me on my early morning pitch black commute. My electronics skills are negligable, but I'd still like to build my own.

I found this thread on another forum, does it look like a good rig and would the optics suit commuting as opposed to off-roading?

Look forward to your advice.

Cheers Stu

"If you don't mind a bit of DIY wiring you could build your own.

Pre-wired LED/heat sink:
http://www.led-tech.de/en/High-Power-LEDs/3.5W-Seoul-Plug-und-Light/Seoul-3x-3.5W-Plug-und-Light-Kit-LT-984_55_80.html

Tight beam lens:
http://www.led-tech.de/en/High-Power-LEDs/3.5W-Seoul-Plug-und-Light/Tripple-Replacement-Lense-10°-LT-583_55_80.html

Constant Current Driver:
http://www.led-tech.de/en/Luxeon-High-Power-LEDs/Luxeon-K2-Plug-und-Light/PowerLine-1000-Constant-Current-Power-Supply-LT-891_49_67.html

Batteries:
12x 2.8Ah AA rechargeable batteries (Maplin do battery holders) or a li-ion external battery pack of 15/16v

Light enclosure:
www.diy.com and search for pond light

Hack the front off the pond light, bodge it over the LED/heat sink, add a couple of wires and connectors, plug into your battery pack... and...

You have a light that looks about twice as bright as a 55W motorcycle headlight with a 2.5-3hr run time

Total cost £100-odd (plus maybe £50 for the charger) "

 

[ktronik]

Well the 'light' looks good, the driver looks BIG...& liner...might want to try the NEW bflex... very nice & very small...

In my experience, the heatsink looks too small to cool 3 LEDs running @ 750ma-1A.

& I think you can do it for cheaper... :naughty:

Have a look @ the stickey top of the 'bicycle' section... lots of great DIY light around... my fav's for simple, must be these...

Pent up seoul

another light

+ more great ideas...


enjoy

Ktronik

 

[imageicon]

i have a light with the seoul plugin and the narrow optic in a aluminium house... using a fatman drive to run it off lower voltage battery packs!

when given a high current i think it turns abit blueish, I really like my cree based ones better! but it is definatly bright!! im waiting for a replacement fatman as i accidently destroyed the old one so cant post any shots but in a week or 2 when the replacement is hopefully here i could get a pic or 2 for you!