I've always wanted one of those super-duper lighting systems but was hesitant to pay the big bucks. I knew if I could only restrain myself from splurging on a new system and check the bins at the swap-meet every so often I would eventually find the basic elements.

Well, this morning I found this Niterider 15W light and the charger that goes with it. I paid three dollars for the pair.

I know from reading previous posts here that I will need a battery, of course, and the plug-in cord that connects to the charger/light.

Can anyone suggest thrifty tips for getting this light in working condition?
What type of battery should I purchase?
Low price vendors?
Will I need any electronics to manage the current into the battery during charging or out of the battery into the light?
Thanks for any and all assistance.

http://vwvagabonds.com/Photo1/NiteRider2.JPG
http://vwvagabonds.com/Photo1/NiteRider1.JPG
http://vwvagabonds.com/Photo1/NiteRider3.JPG

That seems to be a 5 cell nickle chemisty charger... Nimh and nicd. And with those charging rates a 2 to 2.5Ah pack should work. I don't have the links now but there are some online stores that seem to be favored. Like battery space or place or something like that. But yeah. A 5 cell pack it what you want. Should be like 20usd max.

Yes! $20 Good news. Thanks.

Thats the link to 6v packs, but with the 2Ah batts i talked about you will be getting less than one hour run time, depending on your run time needs you can get a larger capacity pack.

BUT if you get like a 5Ah batt or even a 4Ah batt its going to take an overnight charge to charge the pack. This is because you charger's rate is .45A, so its going to take 10+hrs (more because of not so good efficiency) for it put out 4.5Ah

https://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=470

And just in case you thought of getting 2 cheaper packs... you can only charge one at a time, you can not hook them up in parallel. Well you can but it is not advised at all.

Hey diff lock2,

Thanks for the great answer. This afternoon I visited my local electronics shop and got the battery, cable and plug for $9.