Electricity not my forte!!
11-01-15, 07:43 AM
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Electricity not my forte!!
I love to make things out of scrap and leftover stuff. At Autozone, I found a set of mini driving lights that are LED and use .12 amps each. I like to ride and train at night and would like to be as bright as possible. The size and scale of these lights would look nice on my bike, but I have a few questions about power. Is it logical, (possible) to rig-up a 12v battery pack from a battery drill, or use some sort of lighter weight motorcycle battery, and recharge accordingly? I am not a weight weenie, but don't want to carry a 10 pound battery around. I usually ride 2-4 hours at a crack, and would like that much useable light.
Thanks, Pete in NW ohio
Thanks, Pete in NW ohio
11-01-15, 08:38 AM
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I think there are still 12v tool batteries that should work fine
11-01-15, 01:48 PM
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I did some of this in the 90s, but modern lights and batteries are so good, there's no reason to bother with a battery on the rear rack, or a NiteRider style system.
11-01-15, 01:52 PM
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OP it isn't just what LEDs and batteries you use. It is optics. The good lights cost $$-$$$ because of better optics.
You can have 2000 Lumen LEDs, but without good reflectors and the LEDs properly focused in them, you loose throw distance or brightness or both.
You can have 2000 Lumen LEDs, but without good reflectors and the LEDs properly focused in them, you loose throw distance or brightness or both.
11-01-15, 04:33 PM
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12v tool batteries would work fine. You could certainly go up to 16 volts, that's not unusual for a car; 14v on the power rail on a car is standard. 18 or 20 might be pushing it though maybe it would still handle it, LEDs are generally pretty forgiving.
The mini driving lights are extremely likely to be pieces of crap compared to what you can buy for $30 on eBay, which are already complete with battery, charger, and are all designed to mount on a bike already. The car ones are unlikely to throw any kind of a proper beam, they're probably mainly for show and just splash a bunch of light around.
The mini driving lights are extremely likely to be pieces of crap compared to what you can buy for $30 on eBay, which are already complete with battery, charger, and are all designed to mount on a bike already. The car ones are unlikely to throw any kind of a proper beam, they're probably mainly for show and just splash a bunch of light around.
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11-02-15, 06:01 AM
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A better alternative
12v tool batteries would work fine. You could certainly go up to 16 volts, that's not unusual for a car; 14v on the power rail on a car is standard. 18 or 20 might be pushing it though maybe it would still handle it, LEDs are generally pretty forgiving.
The mini driving lights are extremely likely to be pieces of crap compared to what you can buy for $30 on eBay, which are already complete with battery, charger, and are all designed to mount on a bike already. The car ones are unlikely to throw any kind of a proper beam, they're probably mainly for show and just splash a bunch of light around.
The mini driving lights are extremely likely to be pieces of crap compared to what you can buy for $30 on eBay, which are already complete with battery, charger, and are all designed to mount on a bike already. The car ones are unlikely to throw any kind of a proper beam, they're probably mainly for show and just splash a bunch of light around.
Thanks, Pete
11-02-15, 04:49 PM
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5000 Lumen CREE XML T6 LED Front Head Bicycle Bike Lamp Light Headlight 12000mAh
and this lens:
Wide Angle Lens for MagicShine 808 All Ver CREE XML T6 Single LED Bike Lights | eBay
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