Suggested Bike Lighting Systems for Newbie? Plenty of Pictures too!

[DTownDave22]

I have been biking for a few years now and enjoy it. :) I went for an evening ride the other day and was with only an LED headlight (and tail light), though there was still adequate lighting with my headlight and street lights. However, I liked the night riding and would feel more comfortable with a real head light to see for future night rides that I'd like to take.

I have no real experience with electronics and from what I've been told and read online, you can save money by building your own and many enjoy taking under such a project. I don't want to put myself at risk though or undertake such a project that is too complex for me. My dad does have some education in electronics though.

Are there any good instructions for a bike lighting system for a newbie with plenty of pictures/visuals? The visuals are almost a necessity for me. Maybe I need some good primer info and do my homework first as I've checked out some of the threads here and on bikeforums and am a little lost and overwhelmed as I know virtually nothing about lighting and such a topic like a bike lighting system.

So, any primer info and even some suggested instructions on systems posted here or elsewhere would be greatly appreciated to give me an idea of what a feasible system for someone with my experience would be and if it's something I could possibly handle.

Thank you for your time!

Dave

 

[znomit]

http://bikeled.com/ is a good place to start.

 

[Linger]

:welcome:

my entry point was reading lots of 'how to make a canister dive light'. and while you won't need the pressure / water integrity part, the easy descriptions of light head to battery pack may be helpful.

If you have 0 experience, and easy mostly off the shelf first run will be to use a halogen bulb built for a spot light or track light. If you get a weather proof socket (easy at any home depot type store) to put the sealed bulb into you've got the whole emitor / reflector / lens part of your diy bike light taken care of. Need to add a switch and a battery pack.

 

[xiejol]

See this CPF discussion:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=232994

My dual light system works well for my 21 mile commute and cost $45 to build.

 

[mkrabach]

I went through the process of prototyping a bunch of bike lights. You might take a look for ideas. The pages are well documented with lots of photos.
http://www.krabach.info/bike_light/bike_light_project/intro.html