SLA batteries for YOUR 12v system.

Now let's just say you have made the jump to a 12v system using the Optronics MR16 lamp system. You have now replaced the standard MR16 lamp to a 10w or 20w.

You have price sticker shock on 12+volt NI-MH battery. Dab Nab it.

Need not worry.. SLA batteries are a good alternative and pretty cheap.

Rage Battery ( http://www.ragebattery.com ) seems to have one of the lowest price for Rhino SLA batteries. Use coupon code "JAN5" (for January 2006) to get 5% off.

Buy 1 SLA-2.2aH for $8.45. Dimension 7.01x1.38x2.64 2.20#

The dimension for this battery makes it easy to fit this battery in a 32oz plastic Pepsi / Coke soft drink. You need to do some cutting and taping, but overall very do-able. Dork Factor 10!

Use the bottle cap to install a 2.5mm surface jack (available from ALL ELECTRONICS). Other parts are available there to build your power cord.

http://www.allelectronics.com/index.html

A better option is to find a plastic 3 tennis ball container with lid. You can easily place the 2.2 aH battery in the container.. Use the plastic lid to install the surface mount in-line jack and tape down the lid for weather proofing.

What the hey.. that's still too much work.. heck.. just empty out an 18oz Skippy peanut butter plastic jar without the lid and use it as a battery holder. Sure, the battery will stick out of the top of the jar but the battery will stay snuggly in place in the water bottle cage.

Still.. too much tinkering?

Just buy the Rhino 12v 3.4 ah for $9.65 5.28x2.64x2.64.

Surprisingly this battery fits "just right" into a Blackburn deluxe mountain bike water bottle cage -- Nice and tight. The battery is not going any where.. Just add a Velcro D Ring strap for additional security if you so choose.

While at it.. GO AHEAD and get the Rhino 12V 3.0 aH battery. Just as well. With the dimenison of 5.2x1.3x3.86 this battery fits nicely in a "slim" hydration pack. Because the thickness of this battery is only 1.3 inches.. it makes a perfect battery for your helmet light.

The added benefit of a slim battery is for safety issues. If you happen to fall and land on your back.. It is less painful if you were to land on something size of paperback book instead of a battery in a size of a brick or waterbottle -- Physics.. pressure per square inch)

The slim thickness is well worth the premimum price of $11.95.

More to come..

Much obliged.
Nick Lee
car-free since January 2000
Member of the 5 digit club (10,000+ bicycle miles per year every year since)