Hi Folks,
I'm dipping my toe into the energised water of battery-driven (as opposed to dynamo) bike lighting. Just so I have it figured out you understand! I have built up a simple triple using Cree XR-E R2s. It started out as a MR-16 dyno triple winter project but has altered direction (slightly!)
It will just be used for a 35min-each way commute and maybe going to the shops at night - nothing more. I have a DX high powered boost converter (the one with the big inductor on top) but am quite amenable to using something else. I chose the boost converter early in my thinking about the project because I'd prefer to use a lower powered battery that will also be suitable for using with tail light experiments I'm messing around with. Not sure what current I'll run the leds at yet but the options seem to be 350, 700 and 1000ma.
However nothing is set in stone. I would really appreciate your advice as to how to drive and power this thing. I don't yet have a charger or suitable battery. In fact, last time I bought a bike light battery was when I replaced the one that came with my Cateye Daylites over 10 years ago (a big SLA). I'd be very happy to have recommendations for either Li-O or NiMH. I do have a 4 berth NiMH AA charger and a Li-O charger that'll do 2 batteries at a time.
I guess what I'm seeking are the experiences of those who have built and used lights with similar total Vf and application and who may have figured out answers to some of the practical 'best bang for the buck' questions. With regard to batteries I'd prefer compact. With regard to drivers a simple high-low function would probably suffice.
Thanks,
Sam.
I'm dipping my toe into the energised water of battery-driven (as opposed to dynamo) bike lighting. Just so I have it figured out you understand! I have built up a simple triple using Cree XR-E R2s. It started out as a MR-16 dyno triple winter project but has altered direction (slightly!)
It will just be used for a 35min-each way commute and maybe going to the shops at night - nothing more. I have a DX high powered boost converter (the one with the big inductor on top) but am quite amenable to using something else. I chose the boost converter early in my thinking about the project because I'd prefer to use a lower powered battery that will also be suitable for using with tail light experiments I'm messing around with. Not sure what current I'll run the leds at yet but the options seem to be 350, 700 and 1000ma.
However nothing is set in stone. I would really appreciate your advice as to how to drive and power this thing. I don't yet have a charger or suitable battery. In fact, last time I bought a bike light battery was when I replaced the one that came with my Cateye Daylites over 10 years ago (a big SLA). I'd be very happy to have recommendations for either Li-O or NiMH. I do have a 4 berth NiMH AA charger and a Li-O charger that'll do 2 batteries at a time.
I guess what I'm seeking are the experiences of those who have built and used lights with similar total Vf and application and who may have figured out answers to some of the practical 'best bang for the buck' questions. With regard to batteries I'd prefer compact. With regard to drivers a simple high-low function would probably suffice.
Thanks,
Sam.
