Patriot

I've decided to document my light upgrade for anyone interested. I initially started with two 20w halogen DIY lights, which are powered by my 48v/12v/3v/12v converter. The 3-channel converter is a really nice feature for this bike.

My first upgrade was to make myself a CREE R2 light with a drop-in module from DX. In order to do this, I had to purchase a pair of their 35mm reflectors, and a pack of 35mm glass lenses. The 35mm reflectors are nice, because they come with an aluminum pill that has fine threads and alot more surface contact to the reflector. This provides much better heat transfer than the original brass pills.

Since my first upgrade was a success, I decided to try another. The R2 has a very narrow beam, with lots of throw. So, I read up on the MC-E, and it apparently has more flood.

The MC-E I purchased is the 3-mode 2.7v-4.4v 26mm drop-in module from DX. They are currently selling for $23.49. Not bad for a supposed 410 lumen LED.

Well, the first thing I had to do was disassemble the original module. In this pic you can see the old 26mm reflector, and the guts transferred to the new reflector.

I had to install the 3-mode driver into the aluminum pill, and do a bit of destructive work to the old pill to get the star off without damaging it. Eventually it popped off, and I reinstalled it onto the new pill with some silicon thermal grease.

The little bottle of thermal grease is only about $2.
Two 35mm reflectors are $6, and the lenses about $2, if I remember right.







Here's my DC converter. It works great. The center channel is hard to see with all the plugs installed, but it supplies my LED with 3.3v.



My homemade light bodies, made with chrome plated brass sink drain pipes..



My new light installed.






My inital test was perfect. The operation turned out to be nicer than I thought. I origianlly thought that with a two mode on/off switch, I would need to pulse it quickly to change modes. Not so. Each time I turn it on, it automatically goes to the next mode. So, cycling through, and picking a mode is easy.

As for brightness. It is slightly brighter than my R2. I think only because it is only getting 3.3v. The flood however, is much better. It has about two 2x-3x times the flood area in the center as the R2. The color is also a little more white. My R2 has a tinge of blue hue, but not much.

All in all, I am very satisfied with this setup. I have some serious lights now, and they use very little of my main battery to operate. They also run alot cooler than halogens.

I recommend these little drop-ins for anyone looking to do a DIY setup like this.

Patriot

I accidentally posted this thread here. I reposted it in the Lighting forum.

Mods can delete this thread if the want.

dbeardsl

I need to add some lights to my electric commuter -

I've got an older light kit from Performance bike that works very well that I'd like to use. I need to get power from my main 48v motor battery - to the lights.

It looks like the DC converter you used is what I need.

What model is that? Where could I buy one?

thanks in advance!
Dave -