Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
The one I have (photo below) when you plug it in, it initially is off, one push on the button and it is in high mode that runs at something like 6 watts, press the button again and you have about a 1 to 1.5 watt powered light.
Does that unit allow you to switch it on and off by supplying power/taking away power? IE - you can wire a separate switch and what ever mode you had the light in prior to shutting it off is what is retained over the cycle of cutting off power (unplugging) and supplying power again (plugging back in)? Or o you need to physically mess with the button on the light to turn it on and off?
The requirement of "wired" is exactly for the above - I want the power supply on/off to the light to turn the light on/off. I want the light down on my fork and I don't want to lean down to fiddle with a button on the light to turn it on/off, if that makes sense.
USB power is no problem. I run chords to all my electronics - phone, tablet, and bike computer - simultaneously. The port I use most often is a combination 12v accessory port (auto style socket) with 2x USB ports. The 12v side of the circuit (source - battery, splitter) is all Anderson Powerpole connectors. Depending on the ride and what I have going on I may run a 12v accessory plug to 3x USB port (3x usb's mounted directly to the plug, no wire) so I have the 2x in the wired port to the source plus the 3x in the adapter. However, I have other accessories that run off the 12v port - such as a battery eliminator for a handheld ham radio. So I may split off the powerpoles with another (2nd) 12v auto port just for that then I still have the combo USB/12v port for all USB.
Originally Posted by
Tourist in MSN
If your handlebar bag is not too close to the tire, you might be able to mount something on the fork crown that you can strap the light too.
I have a dummy stem under my bar for the bag and accessories. So the bag sits pretty low. I thought about what you describe - but to do it I would have to build a bracket to extend the light out in front further. Not out of the question, maybe I can come up with a design to do it, but for the time being low on the fork has been working well for me this fall/winter.