Originally Posted by
Booger1
I don't understand why most people use SLA batteries.The only thing they have going for them these days is shelf life and cost,and that's open for debate.There heavy,they start losing there brightness the second you turn them on (discharge curve is not real good).....
Well on second thought I do have 1 question.Has any one thought of using the frame as ground if the batteries are not next to the lights,you could get rid of one of the wires.
I use SLAs because of the low cost of the batteries and smart chargers. I have chargers for 3 family bikes at home where we lockup the bikes, and I have one at work to recharge during the day. If you don't discharge the SLAs to deeply, you get better battery life. Also, I have changed my headlight to a MR16 3-watt luxeon that has a built-in power regulator so the power/discharge curve doesn't effect it.
I have been using my bike frame for the ground for years--works great. The only thing I have done differently is to have 2 contacts from the battery to the frame (seatpost). I have had the connection break from fatigue/age and there go your lights. A backup ground connection takes care of this issue.