Rear Flasher & Switch Idea/Question
#1
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: NE Ohio
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Rear Flasher & Switch Idea/Question
We run 1 or 2 Super Flash rear lights depending on where we are riding/touring. I was wondering if it would be possible to have a remote switch at the handle bar? Because of the flasher locations I need to stop and dismount to get to them and there are times when I don't have them on and really want them on and don't want to stop.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#2
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,060
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From: Springfield, MA
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane Fantom CXX, 2012 Motobecane Fantom CX, 1997 Bianchi Nyala, 200? Burley Rock 'n Roll
How are you at desoldering and soldering? I just looked at mine, and it looks like it would be relatively simple to desolder the existing switch from the board. Then you could drill a hole in the back case, run a wire through it, and solder the wire to the contacts where the switch was. You would need to remove the plastic lens from the part that holds the batteries and board to access the board for this procedure. It's probably glued or fused on somehow - probably won't just pop out and back in. Then run wire to the handlebar and solder to the original switch. You'll need some kind of small (preferably waterproof) enclosure for the switch to fix it to the handlebars and protect it.
If you could find a suitable switch, maybe it would work to leave the original switch in place and solder the new wire alongside to the existing contacts. Not sure if it would be a problem if both switches are left in the on position. It might cause a short-circuit that would cook your batteries or something.
These are relatively cheap lights. You could try it and report back. Or buy one of the $5 knock-offs and play with that instead....
If you could find a suitable switch, maybe it would work to leave the original switch in place and solder the new wire alongside to the existing contacts. Not sure if it would be a problem if both switches are left in the on position. It might cause a short-circuit that would cook your batteries or something.
These are relatively cheap lights. You could try it and report back. Or buy one of the $5 knock-offs and play with that instead....
#3
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
The German Battery Top light 4D Senso Taillights I've Owned have a 3 position switch . Sensing darkness and motion the light comes on automatically..
Day time , in that mode it comes on in a Tunnel then back off when back out ..
since flashing mode is the lowest battery draw is it a lot of bother to switch on your removable Battery lights before you start?
Any switch thing you dream up has to be unplugged to pocket the lights to not get stripped off the parked Bike.
maybe a common battery Pack mounted elsewhere on the frame ?
I made up a 5D cell rechargeable battery pack 20 years ago and ran a cheap Halogen bulb headlight and a bulb taillight, on the Mudguard.
Now If you instead Install a hub Dynamo and wire the taillight, then there is a switch to turn the Headlight and the taillight that is wired into It, off.
Day time , in that mode it comes on in a Tunnel then back off when back out ..
since flashing mode is the lowest battery draw is it a lot of bother to switch on your removable Battery lights before you start?
Any switch thing you dream up has to be unplugged to pocket the lights to not get stripped off the parked Bike.
maybe a common battery Pack mounted elsewhere on the frame ?
I made up a 5D cell rechargeable battery pack 20 years ago and ran a cheap Halogen bulb headlight and a bulb taillight, on the Mudguard.
Now If you instead Install a hub Dynamo and wire the taillight, then there is a switch to turn the Headlight and the taillight that is wired into It, off.
#4
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
It's probably possible to do it for Planet Bike tail lights, but it's probably not worth the effort. Buy a tail light that suits your needs.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#5
FWIW: I set my lights on bright flash just about all the time, from the beginning to the end of the ride. If the circumstances do change, I can reach and change it while riding or stop briefly, put a foot down, then change the light setting. It's not something I'd consider running a switch to the bars for.
#6
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2
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From: Marietta, Ohio USA
Bikes: 2015 Trek 8.5 DualSport, Fuji Palisade (early 90's model)
I noticed on the Bontrager (part of Trek Bikes) website the other day that they have introduced wireless versions of their flagship headlights and taillights. The headlight is the Ion 700 RT and the taillight is the Flare RT. The transmitter which can mount on the handlebars is called Transmitr. It uses the Ant+ wireless protocol, and the Transmitr can apparently control up to four lights remotely. There's a video on Youtube about it, too.
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