Petzl E+Lite as a bicycle tail-light

[coors]

Awhile back I had decided that my Petzl E-Lite purchase was impractical, for me, as I was using it only for seeing to change the spent batteries in my bicycling headlamp. When I purchased an even more powerful headlamp I decided to sell the E-lite as it was going unused. For the past few nights I've been playing with it indoors and I decided that it would actually make a really nice tent light... even though I do not like the disturbing blue-tint that it gives off. Two days ago I gave my Serfas blinking tail-light to someone that needs it a lot more than I do. I was going to buy another, but I could not find it for the same low price that I paid for the first one. Today it occurred to me that the E-lite had a blinking mode, a transluscent waterproof case, and a tight fit in it's case. After turning the headlamp to blinking mode and seeing that it was giving off a quite bright flash, through it's red case, I decided to make a bracket from things I found in my workshop. Here's what I came up with:

It really works quite well in full darkness. It's not as bright as the Serfas flashing tail-light that I was using, but it's definitely visible for well over a half mile away in the darkness. I kind of like the idea of the E-lite getting some use, so I may not even bother getting another Serfas... for now.


coors

 

[PeLu]

Re: Petzl E+Lite Uses

a transluscent waterproof case,

The case is not waterproof, I made the same wrong assumtion. After submerging it a little bit, the water stayed in for several weeks....Because it has a venting hole...Did not see that before.

 

[TrevorNasko]

Re: Petzl E+Lite Uses

Cool idea! Great job on the mount! Let no light go unloved.

 

[coors]

Thank you for the kind comments, Trevor. I rode about 55 miles on the road this evening, 15 miles in the dark, and the light worked just great. It's pretty neat making something work for a task for which it wasn't originally intended.

coors

 

[coors]

Re: Petzl E+Lite Uses

The case is not waterproof, I made the same wrong assumtion. After submerging it a little bit, the water stayed in for several weeks....Because it has a venting hole...Did not see that before.

Yes... I see that you are quite right, Peter. I redid the photos and the #2 photo shows the case's drain hole nicely. I would think that this hole was introduced for them that would put the headlamp into the case after getting it wet in the rain or snow and that the hole allows the pooled water to exit the case... if worn in the upright position on a belt. It will also allow water into the case. An ideas about plugging the hole? I'm thinking about shaping a tiny rubber plug and making the plug a permanent part of the case by epoxying both ends. Would that work?


coors