Dual Bicycle Headlight, New Mod

[TomUnit3]

Hi Group,

Here's an update on my dual Maglite Bicycle headlight.
Original post was on 10-2-2005:


I made some improvements to my Maglite system. See
http://tinypic.com/1zguuio.jpg

1. New, linked, Niterider "Universal" Mounts for
greater adjustability.

2. Reduced the DC output of the switching regulator from
9 volts to 8 volts for longer bulb life(Xenon LMSA601).

This was done by soldering a 2.2K resistor in parallel with R8 in the feedback circuit. See switching regulator chip at
http://www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/MC34063A-D.PDF

The switching regulator board is widely distributed by Radio Shack in the form of cigarette adapter, 273-1863. I'm using one per light.

Cheers.

Tom

 

[ktronik]

:goodjob:

Have you considered making one side with LED's...as having two different systems is smart in many ways...

Ican is more eff when overdriven, LED is more eff when under driven...
so the LOW beam would be an adjustable output LED bank for a nice flood...& the ican for HIGH beam & that nice hot spot...

Ican can be killed via a hard wack, not such with LED's...

The blue of the LED's is helped with the yellow of the ican...all LED light can sometimes be off putting in singletrack...

Then if you ran a Dynohub, driving the LED's, you would have the purfect 24hr racing combo... 🙂

Its all good fun!!!

Enjoy


Ktronik

 

[TomUnit3]

Hello Ktronic and the Group,

I've tried LED replacements in the Mag, but none could
throw a beam, spot or flood, as well as the Xenons.

I do have a 5 white LED Vistalite on my shirt and consider
it a good to-be-seen light.

I'm interested in a multi-lens *glass* optics module
for a 5 watt, white, LED, if you know of one.

Best regards.

TomUnit3

 

[ktronik]

I feel a 'trilux' config is the best bet for flood & spot on the road... a quad is best for off road...

3w are more spoty that 5w units due to the quad die config, on the 5w LED...

So 3 or 4 / 3w LEDs, is a cheap & easy mod to what you have already done..

thats what I use...run from a dynohub...Ican for high beam... 🙂

Enjoy

Ktronik