Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Upgrading my Pond Scum light

A couple of years ago, I built up a pond scum 20-watt halogen light with a 1.5 watt xenon strobe blinkie on the back. I'm pretty much satisfied with it overall, except for the heavy battery I need to carry with it.

Would it be worth upgrading to a 3-watt LED and getting some lighter batteries? This one is only $15.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/images/LEDG-MR165-200x.jpg

http://www.1000bulbs.com/Led_Light_Bulbs/LED_Light_Bulbs/LED_MR16_Light_Bulbs_B/MR16_BiPin/38482/?&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=shopping+site&utm_campaign=Froogle+datafeed

I'm wondering if these LEDs are worthy replacements for the halogen. One important point is that my current system is pretty durable. I've only had to replace one xenon strobe. I normally only use the system in the winter, but for the $50 I spent on it, I really can't complain.

By the way, I think my battery holder on the rear rack is a great upgrade for the Pond Scum setup. It's actually a CD case, but keeps the delicate wiring of the strobe from outdoor exposure.

http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/12-05-2008/tn_IMG_0391.JPG
http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/12-05-2008/tn_IMG_0392.JPG
http://bikes.javazoid.com/images/12-05-2008/tn_IMG_0395.JPG

Looks like a good deal on the bulb!
I made Cylocommuter's Retinal Blasters: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=368772

I tried an led mr16 bulb (earlier and different version than yours) and it would fit in the base...but the bulb was different enough that the front ring would not fit.
At $15 I'd go ahead and give it a try though. :thumb:
My bulb cost me a little over $40.:notamused:

if battery weight is an issue, get a 10 aa holder, I use that and charge it using a car trickle charger so I never have to take out of the pack, aa engerizers @ 2500mah, I get over an hour before it dims w/20 watt mr16.

I have several 6 watt leds, but if I had to have one light I'd stick with the halogen.

I can post pics if you want them.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/Led_Light_Bulbs/LED_Light_Bulbs/LED_MR16_Light_Bulbs_B/MR16_BiPin/38483/?&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=shopping+site&utm_campaign=Froogle+datafeed

if you do go with the led, this 10 degree one might be better than that 38 spot, make sure we get beamshots.

plus is you do the 10aa battery pack you could get 4-5 hours of light.

I doubt if a 3-watt LED would come close to the halogen you have. That is the same as my L&M Vega and I was very dissatisfied with it's output which was 85 lumens.

I checked the web site and their 8 watt leds are only 200 lumens, I think my halogen is 400 or more @ 14 volts.

Sorry the website says the bulbs range from 4 to 7 watts. The one I url'ed was 5 watts.