Designing new bike light... any ideas?

[GrainOfLight]

Agreed. If you read earlier comments; you wil see this was just a test piece that I am using to develop ideas for enhancing the structural integrity. This flashlight is purely a showpiece and will be a nice bedside table light or paperweight haha. I am researching ideas for enhancing the durability and have found some great options that I will present in my next prototype, stay tuned !!

Thanks for the insight

One drop .... which will happen often .... and done ... little pieces.

If you insist on wood, I would go aluminum body with a laminate. Much stronger and much better thermal performance. I do question the market viability.

Wood "look" can be done with a high quality photo wrap followed by a clear powder coat for strength.

 

[GrainOfLight]

Here I have started to shape the aluminium metal and wood together to create that classic style. The aluminium will act as a heat sink and also give a great accent and contrast against the wood grain.
The aluminium cylinder insert and the thicker walled wood will give some extra strength, however - I am still working on creating better structural integrity with thinner walls: I just felt I should show this piece of Maple because it looks pretty cool I'll ad the electronics next and upload some pics.

 

[subwoofer]

Here I have started to shape the aluminium metal and wood together to create that classic style. The aluminium will act as a heat sink and also give a great accent and contrast against the wood grain.

My concern with the aluminium insert is where exactly is it sinking the heat to? Once the aluminium gets hot wood will be insulating it and the temperature will keep rising. The total thermal path is very poor thanks to being wrapped in a thermal insulator.

 

[GrainOfLight]

My concern with the aluminium insert is where exactly is it sinking the heat to? Once the aluminium gets hot wood will be insulating it and the temperature will keep rising. The total thermal path is very poor thanks to being wrapped in a thermal insulator.

As far as the heat sink goes; for this light i'll ensure the power is quite low, so it's relying on the the exposure to the ambient air at the front to dissipate the heat. There will be some heat escaping internally too and that's not a good thing, but it shouldn't get hot enough to cause any problems.

The heat dissipation is an issue that I am working on at the moment to allow for higher power output and thermal conductivity and it is almost solved, so keep checking back to see the results

Thanks for the input! keep in touch!

 

[angerdan]

If you want to build in a display, there's a small one for use with a Raspberry Pi:
shop.pimoroni.com/products/microview-oled-arduino-module

 

[GrainOfLight]

Thanks man that looks really cool. This ine is fr Audrino though yeah? I've always wanted to get into Audrino and Rasberry Pi. Do you have much experience with them?

I like the idea of having an accelerometer displayed on your bike, see how much G-force you can create !! :thumbsup:

If you want to build in a display, there's a small one for use with a Raspberry Pi:
shop.pimoroni.com/products/microview-oled-arduino-module

 

[UnityIsPower]

Let me give this a shot...

Main blocks for build

Easier but lesser beam shape and light output(~1200lm per bulb):

1.Morimoto XB LED lights and Projector enclosure
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/closeouts/b-stock-morimoto-xb-led-fogs.html#.VUisxVJHanN

2.RAVPower Xtreme portable battery charger
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFMUBYG/?tag=cpf0b6-20

3.Topeak Bar Extender
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIAVN8/?tag=cpf0b6-20

Harder but better beam shape and light output(~3000lm per bulb):

1.Morimoto Matchbox 2.0 projector
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...-xenon-fog-light-projectors.html#.VUitkVJHanM

2.Morimoto XB LED headlight bulbs
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/morimoto-xb-led-headlight-bulbs.html#.VUitVVJHanN

3.RAVPower Xtreme portable battery charger
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFMUBYG/?tag=cpf0b6-20

4.Topeak Bar Extender
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIAVN8/?tag=cpf0b6-20

 

[SemiMan]

Morimoto B stock ...isn't that an oxymoron?

 

[UnityIsPower]

How so?

 

[SemiMan]

Morimoto new is of poor quality and design already.

 

[UnityIsPower]

Hmm... I installed a Morimoto Mini H1 projector on my motorcycle with good results. It looked well made and performed very well.

When did you try them out?

 

[GrainOfLight]

Hey bikers!

Here is an update on my progress: This is a mount I have made for my light. It still need some polishing up, but i am happy with the rounded classic rear styling.

The idea is to have the mount stay attached to the bicycle handle bar using the silicone strap and the light will be detachable fro the mount using a quick release feature.

I'm not sure if i will stay with the silicone strap and might go for a more permanent option by using screws instead of the silicone strap because the light is detachable.... Would love to know your thoughts in this and how you like the styling of my mount. As always I look forward to hearing back from you!

@SemiMan, @UnityIsPower, @angerdan, @subwoofer , @Steve K

 

[Steve K]

well, my standards are pretty low.. I'm happy enough with my homemade stuff that's kludged together with parts made from aluminum extrusions I buy at the hardware store.

Is it going to end up slightly to the rear of the handlebar? Is there any chance of a leg or knee hitting it when standing up to pedal?