xenon strobe light
 

I put together a home-brew lighting system last year with a halogen light on the front, an SLA battery and a xenon strobe light in the back. While I found the halogen excellent on unlit bike trails in the winter, I really thought the xenon strobe in the back was the best taillight I had ever seen (on a bicycle).

Is there anything brighter?

The sun? :)

Gerv

Can you supply info on the supplier for the xenon strobe? Now that its getting darker earlier I'd like to wire something up for my kid's/cargo trailer. Your idea would be just perfect. Thanks.

David

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._FLASHER_.html

This is the only supplier I can find, but I guess there are others.

Section on these strobes here http://nordicgroup.us/s78/taillights.html

Here's what I use:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...9974_200199974

It's rated at 22 joules output and SAE J845 Class I. I've received several positive comments from motorists about how visible it is.

i think they are way too bright and distracting to motorist.
dinotte lights makes a very bright red rear light, more like a cars brake light

Specs:
Operates on 12V DC power drawing 2.8 Amps

33 watts of rear light might even make you visible by aircraft looking for a place to land!

I just installed mine (from Allelectronics) last weekend and this past week, cars went all the way into the next lane (not typical before) to pass me on my dark morning commute...I like it!

I've noticed a little more respect from motorists. The only concern about the light is how long it will last. I used my current one last year on about 30-40 commutes. However, if I remember correctly, several others on BF complained about them not lasting that long.

However for $8.95, it's probably not too bad if you can get a winter out of it.

One car brake light is way too little to get noticed. That's why cars went to two brake lights before WWII, and three lights in 1985. Also when you are competing with the sun on the horizon on a clear day there is no such thing as too bright!

My xenon strobe just arrived, boy is it bright. Couple of questions for those using them:
1. Is it too bright to run at night?
2. I ordered red, 'cause as best as I could decipher that is what is allowed in Pennsylvania. It doesn't look very red when flashing though, more white. Has anyone added shielding or anything to it? I was thinking a piece of red reflector behind it might mute the brightness and add more color.

Mine seems to be brighter from the sides rather than the top, perhaps due to the lens molded into the sides of the cover and just clear plastic from the top so I have the top pointing back toward following cars. It is not excessively bright according to those drivers who have followed me....

I use the strobe as-is; I think any filter would just dim the light. I got the yellow one, and it too appears to be white. I augment the strobe with two beehive LED truck marker lights, which actually seem brighter than the strobe at a distance,

I tried placing a red reflector in front of mine as a test in my basement, definitely looked too dim. Actually, not worse than an average LED blinkie, but not the effect I was looking for. Also agree, it did not appear excessively bright without the filter.

what battery pack would be used with the allelectronics strobe? and does it come with connecters, etc? not much experience with DIY stuff, sorry. would be perfect to mount on back of rack.

No guarantees, but the simplest battery to use with the allelectronics 12V strobe may be a regular 9V type battery. Preferably a rechargeable one, as you'd probably need to recharge or replace frequently.

I haven't received my strobe in the mail yet but I'm hoping it isn't affected by the difference between 9V and 12V.

Or something like this:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=2143
You would need a charger too though. I have a larger (5 aH) lead acid battery so I can run a headlight with it.

The leads on the allelectronics strobe are very thin and have no connector. I would recommend going to radio shack with the strobe and asking what kind of connector to use on the wires if you are not comfortable with DIY wiring yet. I soldered mine into the other wires I am connecting to the battery.

The strobe has two posts/bolts attached and comes with nuts and lock washers. Also has a sticky foam pad for the back which I haven't used. Have fun, you can do it!

Also note All Electronics has these strobe in different colors, red, green, blue, yellow and white.

thanks, this gives me a much better idea of what to expect.