Do you want your bicycle to glow in the dark? I've been studying the Total Geekiness thread in the Commuting forum. It's all about home-made lights. Here's my version of the Pond Scum light with a rear xenon strobe.
Parts
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* 12VDC 500MA 2-STAGE CHARGER FOR LEAD-ACID BATTERIES $12.75
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...ATTERIES_.html
* AMBER XENON FLASHER $8.95
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._FLASHER_.html
* 12 VOLT 5 AH GEL CEL BATTERY $ 15.00,
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._BATTERY_.html
* 22 GAUGE RED/BLACK ZIP CORD $.10 foot (20 feet is lots...),
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...ZIP_CORD_.html
* 20 watt submersible spotlight $7.99,
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...unction=Search
* 20 watt MR16 halogen light (with lens cover) $4.95 bought at Lowe's
* various 12 volt connectors $4.95 at Harbor Freight. Much more at Radio Shack.
* electrical tape
* various nuts, bolts, washers $2
* 12 volt switch, $3.49 at auto parts store
Tools
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electric drill
screw drivers
wire cutters (I used a vise grip...)
box cutter or other sharp knife
Total cost
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$62.50. However, you also need to factor in some internet shipping costs. You can pick up most of the battery and charger at Radio Shack but it costs a lot more.
I also tend to purchase a few extra things when I shop, so the cost kind of creeps upwards. For example, while buying the $2 worth of nuts and bolts, I saw some night reflective tape at $8.95. You get the picture.
How I put it together
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Hardest part is fitting the front light on the handlebar. Luckily, I already had a reflector on the handlebar, so I discarded the reflector part and was left with a nice mount for the light.
Next, I discarded the MR11 light that comes with the submersible spotlight and drilled a small hole right through the back. Inserted a 1 inch bolt and applied two nuts and 2 washers to hold it to the handlebar mount.
Then, placed the xenon strobe light on the rack. You can probably hold it with some of the 12 volt wire. I had a small strap that I drilled 2 holes for the strobe's mounting studs.
Finally, where to fit the battery. I had a little space between my rear rack and seatpost. I lodged the batter right on the stays that hold up the rack. The battery weighs about 3 pounds, so you need something major to hold it. You could also fit it in a frame bag, a handlebar bag or Nashbar also sells (for $15) a small front rack which would work. For the moment, I secured the battery to the rack with some nylon cord. However, I am scouring about for some strapping.
When I had all this connected, I hooked up a 12 volt switch which I left near my seat post. I'm not 12 volt electrician by any means, just used the diagrams on the switch to figure out the wiring.
Notes
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Some posters in the Total Geekiness thread complain that the xeonon strobe doesn't stand up all that well. I have no complaints after 2 nights. The strobe is really nicely visible, but if it doesn't work there are many non-strobing solutions for less than the $8.95 I paid.
I really like the 20 watt halogen on the front. I would not want to go with a 10 watt however. Also, you might consider a spot rather than the flood bulb I bought. Also, make doubly sure you buy a bulb with a lens cover.
I'm not sure how long I should get out of this system. So far, I've run front halogen and strobe for an hour with no problems. I recharge every evening.
Resources
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Pond Scum light
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=245737
Total Geekiness thread
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=42629&page=58