Goal: 500lms | Budget: $100 | Use: Pleasure/Training | Knwldge: Newbie
09-12-08, 11:03 PM
#26
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Ackhem... Cyccommute,
Care to enlighten me again with your Darth Vader thread again?
Care to enlighten me again with your Darth Vader thread again?
Good luck. Pictures required.
09-13-08, 11:58 AM
#27
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Decision & Purchase
Ok! Decisions made! After what seemed like endless reading I've decided to go with a Halogen system. Thanks again to everyone for their insights, especially cyccommute and scar (from Mtbr).
I was very close to to buying a P7 or a new Cree MC-E but the enclosure was going to be more than I wanted to build and, quite frankly, was going to require more research and, well.., I wanted a light and I wanted it NOW! So, yesterday I bought just about everything.
● Lamp housing: 2 Pond Scum lights purchased at the local Harbor Freight: 10.99 ea (cheaper at the store than online!)
● Battery: BatterySpace.com Polymer Li-Ion 14.8v (unregulated) 5700 mAh with 1.5A Smart Charger: $119.95
● Cable connector: BatterySpace.com Trail Tech: $5.95
● Handlebar mounts: 2 Marwi Night Pro from JensonUSA.com: $9.60 ea.
Total cost (with shipping): $176.89.
Also I bought a Lightman Red Strobe for the rear. I paid $24.95 plus shipping for it ~ I know, too much. Doh!
I still need to buy my bulbs, switches, battery holder, epoxy and other building tools, but the bulk of it is on its way.
Maybe this is too much, but I am considering adding a Portable Cold Cathode light strip for the bottom of my frame. I understand this adds a lot to your visibility and makes the ladies bat their eye lashes. What do you think of this? Am I getting outta control with this? Should we meet for a beer so you can punch me?
And yes.., I realize my initial goal was to keep it to about $100 total, but after my research was completed, it just made sense to spend the money for the Li-Ion battery. I wanted to have a light weight & small battery with as long run time as possible. The one I bought is the ticket! This battery is just 5.0" (126mm) x 1.7"(44mm) x 2.5" (62mm) and weighs 1.2 lbs. I plan on mounting it on the frame below the seat post and have this vision of a hard plastic housing (with inside padding) that snugly fits the battery. Now where am I going to find that?! Also, if I decide to build a LED system down the road, I can use this battery.
Switches we be purchased locally. I plan on mounting the switches on my handlebars where my thumbs can easily reach them so that I don't have to take my hand off the handlebar.
As for the Halogens, I've decided to buy a 20 watt spot with 8 degree beam, 20 watt flood with 30-38 degree beam and a 10 watt flood with whatever degree beam I can find (most likely about 20 - 30 degree). This way I'll have lots of flexibility and can experiment until I find what I like best. I like the idea of the flood pointed down in front of the bike for a low beam concept and the spot pointed up more to be able to see down the road for a high beam concept.
So, it looks like I will be spending about $200, but guess what? I DON'T CARE! (begin mad scientist laugh). I'm going to have so many lumens I might have to wear a radioactive protection suit. It's going to be lumenous.
Oh yeah ~ once the build begins I will be snapping pictures for sure. Truth is, you can expect lots of pics...
I was very close to to buying a P7 or a new Cree MC-E but the enclosure was going to be more than I wanted to build and, quite frankly, was going to require more research and, well.., I wanted a light and I wanted it NOW! So, yesterday I bought just about everything.
● Lamp housing: 2 Pond Scum lights purchased at the local Harbor Freight: 10.99 ea (cheaper at the store than online!)
● Battery: BatterySpace.com Polymer Li-Ion 14.8v (unregulated) 5700 mAh with 1.5A Smart Charger: $119.95
● Cable connector: BatterySpace.com Trail Tech: $5.95
● Handlebar mounts: 2 Marwi Night Pro from JensonUSA.com: $9.60 ea.
Total cost (with shipping): $176.89.
Also I bought a Lightman Red Strobe for the rear. I paid $24.95 plus shipping for it ~ I know, too much. Doh!
I still need to buy my bulbs, switches, battery holder, epoxy and other building tools, but the bulk of it is on its way.
Maybe this is too much, but I am considering adding a Portable Cold Cathode light strip for the bottom of my frame. I understand this adds a lot to your visibility and makes the ladies bat their eye lashes. What do you think of this? Am I getting outta control with this? Should we meet for a beer so you can punch me?
And yes.., I realize my initial goal was to keep it to about $100 total, but after my research was completed, it just made sense to spend the money for the Li-Ion battery. I wanted to have a light weight & small battery with as long run time as possible. The one I bought is the ticket! This battery is just 5.0" (126mm) x 1.7"(44mm) x 2.5" (62mm) and weighs 1.2 lbs. I plan on mounting it on the frame below the seat post and have this vision of a hard plastic housing (with inside padding) that snugly fits the battery. Now where am I going to find that?! Also, if I decide to build a LED system down the road, I can use this battery.
Switches we be purchased locally. I plan on mounting the switches on my handlebars where my thumbs can easily reach them so that I don't have to take my hand off the handlebar.
As for the Halogens, I've decided to buy a 20 watt spot with 8 degree beam, 20 watt flood with 30-38 degree beam and a 10 watt flood with whatever degree beam I can find (most likely about 20 - 30 degree). This way I'll have lots of flexibility and can experiment until I find what I like best. I like the idea of the flood pointed down in front of the bike for a low beam concept and the spot pointed up more to be able to see down the road for a high beam concept.
So, it looks like I will be spending about $200, but guess what? I DON'T CARE! (begin mad scientist laugh). I'm going to have so many lumens I might have to wear a radioactive protection suit. It's going to be lumenous.
Oh yeah ~ once the build begins I will be snapping pictures for sure. Truth is, you can expect lots of pics...
Last edited by Thumdar; 09-13-08 at 12:11 PM.
09-13-08, 08:10 PM
#28
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
09-13-08, 08:12 PM
#29
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Ok! Decisions made! After what seemed like endless reading I've decided to go with a Halogen system. Thanks again to everyone for their insights, especially cyccommute and scar (from Mtbr).
I was very close to to buying a P7 or a new Cree MC-E but the enclosure was going to be more than I wanted to build and, quite frankly, was going to require more research and, well.., I wanted a light and I wanted it NOW! So, yesterday I bought just about everything.
● Lamp housing: 2 Pond Scum lights purchased at the local Harbor Freight: 10.99 ea (cheaper at the store than online!)
● Battery: BatterySpace.com Polymer Li-Ion 14.8v (unregulated) 5700 mAh with 1.5A Smart Charger: $119.95
● Cable connector: BatterySpace.com Trail Tech: $5.95
● Handlebar mounts: 2 Marwi Night Pro from JensonUSA.com: $9.60 ea.
Total cost (with shipping): $176.89.
Also I bought a Lightman Red Strobe for the rear. I paid $24.95 plus shipping for it ~ I know, too much. Doh!
I still need to buy my bulbs, switches, battery holder, epoxy and other building tools, but the bulk of it is on its way.
Maybe this is too much, but I am considering adding a Portable Cold Cathode light strip for the bottom of my frame. I understand this adds a lot to your visibility and makes the ladies bat their eye lashes. What do you think of this? Am I getting outta control with this? Should we meet for a beer so you can punch me?
And yes.., I realize my initial goal was to keep it to about $100 total, but after my research was completed, it just made sense to spend the money for the Li-Ion battery. I wanted to have a light weight & small battery with as long run time as possible. The one I bought is the ticket! This battery is just 5.0" (126mm) x 1.7"(44mm) x 2.5" (62mm) and weighs 1.2 lbs. I plan on mounting it on the frame below the seat post and have this vision of a hard plastic housing (with inside padding) that snugly fits the battery. Now where am I going to find that?! Also, if I decide to build a LED system down the road, I can use this battery.
Switches we be purchased locally. I plan on mounting the switches on my handlebars where my thumbs can easily reach them so that I don't have to take my hand off the handlebar.
As for the Halogens, I've decided to buy a 20 watt spot with 8 degree beam, 20 watt flood with 30-38 degree beam and a 10 watt flood with whatever degree beam I can find (most likely about 20 - 30 degree). This way I'll have lots of flexibility and can experiment until I find what I like best. I like the idea of the flood pointed down in front of the bike for a low beam concept and the spot pointed up more to be able to see down the road for a high beam concept.
So, it looks like I will be spending about $200, but guess what? I DON'T CARE! (begin mad scientist laugh). I'm going to have so many lumens I might have to wear a radioactive protection suit. It's going to be lumenous.
Oh yeah ~ once the build begins I will be snapping pictures for sure. Truth is, you can expect lots of pics...
I was very close to to buying a P7 or a new Cree MC-E but the enclosure was going to be more than I wanted to build and, quite frankly, was going to require more research and, well.., I wanted a light and I wanted it NOW! So, yesterday I bought just about everything.
● Lamp housing: 2 Pond Scum lights purchased at the local Harbor Freight: 10.99 ea (cheaper at the store than online!)
● Battery: BatterySpace.com Polymer Li-Ion 14.8v (unregulated) 5700 mAh with 1.5A Smart Charger: $119.95
● Cable connector: BatterySpace.com Trail Tech: $5.95
● Handlebar mounts: 2 Marwi Night Pro from JensonUSA.com: $9.60 ea.
Total cost (with shipping): $176.89.
Also I bought a Lightman Red Strobe for the rear. I paid $24.95 plus shipping for it ~ I know, too much. Doh!
I still need to buy my bulbs, switches, battery holder, epoxy and other building tools, but the bulk of it is on its way.
Maybe this is too much, but I am considering adding a Portable Cold Cathode light strip for the bottom of my frame. I understand this adds a lot to your visibility and makes the ladies bat their eye lashes. What do you think of this? Am I getting outta control with this? Should we meet for a beer so you can punch me?
And yes.., I realize my initial goal was to keep it to about $100 total, but after my research was completed, it just made sense to spend the money for the Li-Ion battery. I wanted to have a light weight & small battery with as long run time as possible. The one I bought is the ticket! This battery is just 5.0" (126mm) x 1.7"(44mm) x 2.5" (62mm) and weighs 1.2 lbs. I plan on mounting it on the frame below the seat post and have this vision of a hard plastic housing (with inside padding) that snugly fits the battery. Now where am I going to find that?! Also, if I decide to build a LED system down the road, I can use this battery.
Switches we be purchased locally. I plan on mounting the switches on my handlebars where my thumbs can easily reach them so that I don't have to take my hand off the handlebar.
As for the Halogens, I've decided to buy a 20 watt spot with 8 degree beam, 20 watt flood with 30-38 degree beam and a 10 watt flood with whatever degree beam I can find (most likely about 20 - 30 degree). This way I'll have lots of flexibility and can experiment until I find what I like best. I like the idea of the flood pointed down in front of the bike for a low beam concept and the spot pointed up more to be able to see down the road for a high beam concept.
So, it looks like I will be spending about $200, but guess what? I DON'T CARE! (begin mad scientist laugh). I'm going to have so many lumens I might have to wear a radioactive protection suit. It's going to be lumenous.
Oh yeah ~ once the build begins I will be snapping pictures for sure. Truth is, you can expect lots of pics...
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
09-14-08, 12:01 AM
#30
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● Battery: BatterySpace.com Polymer Li-Ion 14.8v (unregulated) 5700 mAh with 1.5A Smart Charger: $119.95
So, it looks like I will be spending about $200, but guess what? I DON'T CARE! (begin mad scientist laugh). I'm going to have so many lumens I might have to wear a radioactive protection suit. It's going to be lumenous.
Oh yeah ~ once the build begins I will be snapping pictures for sure. Truth is, you can expect lots of pics...
Voltage 14.8V (working) 16.8V ( peak) 11.0V ( cut-off)
This battery is Regulated to 12V (working), 11.1V (cut-off). So it won't burn light bulb.
This battery is Regulated to 12V (working), 11.1V (cut-off). So it won't burn light bulb.
09-14-08, 12:04 AM
#31
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Here. Just to be stupid, I've added a 10W lamp (2 actually
) for long rides.
) for long rides.
Oh me so horny. I love you long time. 
09-14-08, 12:23 AM
#32
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&%$#*&$%#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spent almost an hour on the phone with this guy and he knew exactly what I needed. He even had me wait while he confirmed with a supervisor that it was NOT regulated. Stupid me for not seeing that it clearly says it is regulated.
Thanks for the heads up. Time to pitch a *****.
09-14-08, 08:34 PM
#33
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&%$#*&$%#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spent almost an hour on the phone with this guy and he knew exactly what I needed. He even had me wait while he confirmed with a supervisor that it was NOT regulated. Stupid me for not seeing that it clearly says it is regulated.
Thanks for the heads up. Time to pitch a *****.
I spent almost an hour on the phone with this guy and he knew exactly what I needed. He even had me wait while he confirmed with a supervisor that it was NOT regulated. Stupid me for not seeing that it clearly says it is regulated.
Thanks for the heads up. Time to pitch a *****.
If I recall correctly, Batteryspace does accomedate custom orders. To give them the benefit of the doubt (assuming) the CSR you spoke with probably asked for your order to have the '12v regulator' removed then came back and replied it is 'unregulated'. I would call back and check to make sure on this just before you launch the artillery at them.
I have been slightly cheezed SirAchesAlots 14.8v @ 4800mAh with trailtech barrel plugs unregulated is no longer a default stock item. Most things seem to be geared for the 12v.
I wished they had a selection when ordering (never ordered from them but have heard many good and less bad things about them) to select a regulated or unregulated item. I'm sure you can cut the shrinkwrap off the item and take off the 12v regulator but that's just extra work and to get heatshrink that large tofit the battery might cost you a bit.
09-14-08, 09:15 PM
#34
well hello there
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Keep us posted on your progress. Sounds very interesting. Can't wait to see the final product.
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09-15-08, 11:08 AM
#35
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If I recall correctly, Batteryspace does accomedate custom orders. To give them the benefit of the doubt (assuming) the CSR you spoke with probably asked for your order to have the '12v regulator' removed then came back and replied it is 'unregulated'. I would call back and check to make sure on this just before you launch the artillery at them.
I have been planning on using one 10 watt & one 20 watt Halogen but that was only because I was planning on riding the Florida Pinellas Trail and was concerned about blinding oncoming bikers. Turns out that trail is closed after dark so.., no need for the 10 watt. Also, I found some good information about Halogen bulbs (pardon me if this info is old news).
Halogen Standards:
The following ANSI standard codes are used to designate certain power and beam angle combinations for MR16 lamps. Many manufacturers use these standard codes for lamps matching these specifications:
* ESX: 20 watt, 10 degree beam (20MR16/10°)
Also very commonly used codes:
* VNSP (Very narrow spot): less than 8 degrees
* NSP (Narrow spot): 8-15 degrees
So, the point is, if you're looking for a 20 watt, 10 degree beam Halogen, just Google: esx halogen
Click the "Shopping" option and you're good to go.
I'm going to buy this Halogen for my main light:
American DJ ZB-ESX (notice the ESX).
For my secondary flood lamp, I'm using a black BLV Reflekto 20W, 12V 36 degree beam. I just happen to find this lighting at a local bulb outlet.
Time to buy switches!
Last edited by Thumdar; 09-15-08 at 11:12 AM.
11-04-08, 09:17 AM
#36
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Hey Thumdar,
Did you ever get your lights working? How about the custom battery, did they build it without the regulator? Let us see the results!
Did you ever get your lights working? How about the custom battery, did they build it without the regulator? Let us see the results!
