Sleek Hybrid MC-E, XR-E, 5mm Cree Light built (picture heavy)

[kuksul08]

It's been a long time coming, but I'm happy to say I finally finished. My first light was essentially a copy of the Amoeba. I decided to take it a step further and combine the achesalot hybrid with some new ideas

The housing is 1" square Al tubing finished with Gun-Kote. 5mm Cree LEDs operate any time the light is plugged in, drawing only 80mA total. XR-E is driven at 700mA. MC-E driven at 2100mA. Individual control for those. Runs off of AA batteries. Ledil CMC SS lenses - give a great beam. Estimated run times with everything on is roughly an hour , but the MC-E is in there solely for downhill when all that extra light is needed.


Comments? Opinions?

testing continuity

ALAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beamshots

Control

5mm Only (My camera is messing with the colors, they are totally warm white, not blue at all)

XRE only

MCE only

everything on

The pictures don't really do justice. It is basically a car headlight. Really good throw, flood, everything. Also it is 100% waterproof!

 

[znomit]

Thats very tidy, extremely well finished. Love the look.

What are the 5mm leds for? I've thought of using 3 at different angles as "be seen" lights, if just out the front the power leds are just as good.

 

[kuksul08]

Thats very tidy, extremely well finished. Love the look.

What are the 5mm leds for? I've thought of using 3 at different angles as "be seen" lights, if just out the front the power leds are just as good.

Thanks. The 5mm leds are mainly for when you're riding in a group of people, everyone comes to a stop and tries to talk, but have these blinding lights shining in each others faces. With them off, it's just too dark to do anything. The 5mm LEDs give just enough light to see people, walk around, navigate, or even hike a little when necessary.

 

[BUZ]

Excellent build!

 

[ionizedsky]

Wow! That looks awesome!

Could you show some pictures of them mounted up on your bicycle?
Whats your total build cost?

 

[kuksul08]

Wow! That looks awesome!

Could you show some pictures of them mounted up on your bicycle?
Whats your total build cost?

Thanks! I quickly took these, sorry they're kind of blurry... bad lighting and unsteady hand. Total build cost not including AA batteries was $62.

I just got back from a pretty sweet road ride... 13 miles or so. I only needed the XR-E for the ride up and it was plenty. Then I switched on the MC-E as well for the 40mph downhill and it was awesome! I couldn't be more happy.

Also here's some rough data I took with 85% charged batteries (they are 5 year old 1600mAh NiMHs) last night. Everything on.

some nicer pics of the final thing:

 

[Zeruel]

Well done, ku.
Perhaps Zebralight could learn a thing or two from you.

 

[kuksul08]

Well done, ku.
Perhaps Zebralight could learn a thing or two from you.

Proven successful for road rides, I now need to test it for mountain rides.