Total Geekiness
#826
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
The dual 3W luxeons do indeed light up the road, but are still drowned out by the street lights
#827
Recumbent Evangelist
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Originally Posted by jur
Such statements puzzle me. Of course they are going to be drowned by street lights, but there you don't need them, see?
#828
Ride the Road
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Will this is 12V, 4500 ma, work on my 12V Cygolite HID. I'm thinking about getting a backup battery for the one that came with it. Thanks.
#829
Enjoy
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Originally Posted by Daily Commute
Will this is 12V, 4500 ma, work on my 12V Cygolite HID. I'm thinking about getting a backup battery for the one that came with it. Thanks.
#831
kipuka explorer
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Originally Posted by Daily Commute
Will this is 12V, 4500 ma, work on my 12V Cygolite HID. I'm thinking about getting a backup battery for the one that came with it. Thanks.
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#832
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In regard to the Rural Lighting. Has anyone tried using a standard floodlight from an autoparts store with a wetcell battery for a lawntractor or small motorcycle? There are some advantages with power and illumination - the main disadvantage is the weight and the possible acid spill.. The life for a wetcell should be considerable and can be recharged repeatedly.. Dave
#833
RetroGrouchWrench
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Originally Posted by dpskiff
In regard to the Rural Lighting. Has anyone tried using a standard floodlight from an autoparts store with a wetcell battery for a lawntractor or small motorcycle? There are some advantages with power and illumination - the main disadvantage is the weight and the possible acid spill.. The life for a wetcell should be considerable and can be recharged repeatedly.. Dave
There seems to be no econimic reason not to use the SLA type battery.
#834
52-week commuter
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Originally Posted by dpskiff
In regard to the Rural Lighting. Has anyone tried using a standard floodlight from an autoparts store with a wetcell battery for a lawntractor or small motorcycle? There are some advantages with power and illumination - the main disadvantage is the weight and the possible acid spill.. The life for a wetcell should be considerable and can be recharged repeatedly.. Dave
#835
It's true, man.
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Anybody ever adapt the battery from a 12V cordless tool to use for lighting? My Makita came with a smart charger, and I've vowed to try it if I ever come across a broken Makita with a usable battery connector.
Just wondering if anyone's rigged their own, since I'm not an EE, nor do I play one on TV.
Just wondering if anyone's rigged their own, since I'm not an EE, nor do I play one on TV.
#836
Enjoy
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I looked into using a 12V Black and Decker battery but there didn't seem to be enough amperage on those. I suppose a 12V could run a couple of LED 12V trailer markers though.
#837
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Hooray, I've brought up an old thread.
Would it be a good idea to make a headlight from leds? I came across 10 white leds, 20000mcd each, and I should recieve them from mail tonite. I currently have Cateye opticube headlight, with one led. This leaves a lot to be desired. If anyone has any information about building a led headlight, I'd appreciate your advice.
Would it be a good idea to make a headlight from leds? I came across 10 white leds, 20000mcd each, and I should recieve them from mail tonite. I currently have Cateye opticube headlight, with one led. This leaves a lot to be desired. If anyone has any information about building a led headlight, I'd appreciate your advice.
#838
Recumbent Evangelist
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Originally Posted by MelesMeles
Hooray, I've brought up an old thread.
Would it be a good idea to make a headlight from leds? I came across 10 white leds, 20000mcd each, and I should recieve them from mail tonite. I currently have Cateye opticube headlight, with one led. This leaves a lot to be desired. If anyone has any information about building a led headlight, I'd appreciate your advice.
Would it be a good idea to make a headlight from leds? I came across 10 white leds, 20000mcd each, and I should recieve them from mail tonite. I currently have Cateye opticube headlight, with one led. This leaves a lot to be desired. If anyone has any information about building a led headlight, I'd appreciate your advice.
Now, if you rigged up all 10 of those LEDs, well, you'd still only be very visible to oncoming traffic.
#839
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Thanks jeff-o, I presumed that. I haven't had a chance to order a Luxeon led yet, but maybe that time will come. I tried 20k led, and it's good enough in my opinion. I'll try and see, how it works out. Few busy evenings soldering ain't gonna hurt either.
#840
On your what?!?
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Here's my contribution:
I replaced my server's UPS batteries every year. This year I saved the batteries for use on the bike. They are 9ah 12V. (I think they are 9ah) I am using one of them with a 55W halogen driving light and a tail/stop signal light wired to the brighter stop lamp. The battery and automatic charger are located in the "cooler" on the back rack. I'm getting around 30 minutes run time before I get a hint of dimming. I'm going to make some changes to get longer run time. My commute is only 6 miles one way so the 30 minute run time works fine for that, but if I have to run errands after work, then I may be pushing against the run time before I can make it home.
I replaced my server's UPS batteries every year. This year I saved the batteries for use on the bike. They are 9ah 12V. (I think they are 9ah) I am using one of them with a 55W halogen driving light and a tail/stop signal light wired to the brighter stop lamp. The battery and automatic charger are located in the "cooler" on the back rack. I'm getting around 30 minutes run time before I get a hint of dimming. I'm going to make some changes to get longer run time. My commute is only 6 miles one way so the 30 minute run time works fine for that, but if I have to run errands after work, then I may be pushing against the run time before I can make it home.
__________________
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Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
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Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
#841
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Originally Posted by Zin
Here's my contribution:
I replaced my server's UPS batteries every year. This year I saved the batteries for use on the bike. They are 9ah 12V. (I think they are 9ah) I am using one of them with a 55W halogen driving light and a tail/stop signal light wired to the brighter stop lamp. The battery and automatic charger are located in the "cooler" on the back rack. I'm getting around 30 minutes run time before I get a hint of dimming. I'm going to make some changes to get longer run time. My commute is only 6 miles one way so the 30 minute run time works fine for that, but if I have to run errands after work, then I may be pushing against the run time before I can make it home.
I replaced my server's UPS batteries every year. This year I saved the batteries for use on the bike. They are 9ah 12V. (I think they are 9ah) I am using one of them with a 55W halogen driving light and a tail/stop signal light wired to the brighter stop lamp. The battery and automatic charger are located in the "cooler" on the back rack. I'm getting around 30 minutes run time before I get a hint of dimming. I'm going to make some changes to get longer run time. My commute is only 6 miles one way so the 30 minute run time works fine for that, but if I have to run errands after work, then I may be pushing against the run time before I can make it home.
12.65V = 100%
12.45 = 75%
12.24 = 50%
12.06 = 25
11.89 = 0%
A 20W headlight would reduce the current draw and would still be very bright. You didn't indicate whether your tail light is tungsten or LED, but either way you could have the tail light on all the time, and connect the stop light filament to a switch on your brake. I did that and the drivers keep their distance.
#842
On your what?!?
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Hi Multibiker,
Thanks for the reply and info. The tail light is tungsten. I re-wired the tail light today and now run the tail light constant. On the brake light I wired it to a signal stat and have it flashing. Run time test gave me around 45 minutes. The head and tail lights were still bright. However, the signal stat stopped functioning at this point. I'm going to run another run-time test making note of the voltage at which the signal stat fails to switch. Thanks for the voltage capacity info. It will prove to be useful.
I'll have to look around for the 20W lamps. This was my first pass as a low cost solution to keep me on the road during the dark days of winter. Now the fun comes playing with making it better.
Thanks for the reply and info. The tail light is tungsten. I re-wired the tail light today and now run the tail light constant. On the brake light I wired it to a signal stat and have it flashing. Run time test gave me around 45 minutes. The head and tail lights were still bright. However, the signal stat stopped functioning at this point. I'm going to run another run-time test making note of the voltage at which the signal stat fails to switch. Thanks for the voltage capacity info. It will prove to be useful.
I'll have to look around for the 20W lamps. This was my first pass as a low cost solution to keep me on the road during the dark days of winter. Now the fun comes playing with making it better.
__________________
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
#843
A New Creation!
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Hey Zin, where there's a will, there's a way! Have fun my friend. I have some photos of the lights I made on my site. (20 watt) Peace, Ritz.
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM
#844
On your what?!?
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Thanks Ritz,
Hey, how about a link to those photos on your web site. You have a TON of information there and its going to be rather time consuming to track down those photos. Thanks
Hey, how about a link to those photos on your web site. You have a TON of information there and its going to be rather time consuming to track down those photos. Thanks
__________________
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
#845
A New Creation!
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Here Ya go Zin: https://www.tourdepants.com/page_11.htm This is the only one I have up on the site right now. I'll add more Photos of the set-up when I get another digital camera. Peace, Ritz.
#846
Enjoy
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Originally Posted by Zin
Here's my contribution:
I replaced my server's UPS batteries every year. This year I saved the batteries for use on the bike. They are 9ah 12V. (I think they are 9ah) I am using one of them with a 55W halogen driving light and a tail/stop signal light wired to the brighter stop lamp. The battery and automatic charger are located in the "cooler" on the back rack. I'm getting around 30 minutes run time before I get a hint of dimming. I'm going to make some changes to get longer run time. My commute is only 6 miles one way so the 30 minute run time works fine for that, but if I have to run errands after work, then I may be pushing against the run time before I can make it home.
I replaced my server's UPS batteries every year. This year I saved the batteries for use on the bike. They are 9ah 12V. (I think they are 9ah) I am using one of them with a 55W halogen driving light and a tail/stop signal light wired to the brighter stop lamp. The battery and automatic charger are located in the "cooler" on the back rack. I'm getting around 30 minutes run time before I get a hint of dimming. I'm going to make some changes to get longer run time. My commute is only 6 miles one way so the 30 minute run time works fine for that, but if I have to run errands after work, then I may be pushing against the run time before I can make it home.
#848
Enjoy
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
Now, if you rigged up all 10 of those LEDs, well, you'd still only be very visible to oncoming traffic.
#849
On your what?!?
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Yep. Motorcycle has been mentioned. I ride mostly rural roads with no shoulders on my commute into town. So, I really need a bright enough light to afford me some good visibility to the front. I'm going to try some lower wattage lights in order to get a good mix of light vs. run time.
__________________
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
---
Former 340# Type 2 Diabetic.
My web site.
Proud member of Colorado's Best Cycling Club - Club Hypoxia
Last edited by Zin; 09-09-05 at 06:08 PM.
#850
Last Place Age Grouper
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I've noticed a number of people on this thread "re-purposing" Malibu Landscape Lighting Spot lights, although most seem to favor fabricating an enclosure for it.
This Malibu Light seems like it would be a good candidate as its stock enclosure is meant to be submerged in water.
Also has anyone tried using LED replacement bulbs for Malibu spots? Would something like this provide ample light?
This Malibu Light seems like it would be a good candidate as its stock enclosure is meant to be submerged in water.
Also has anyone tried using LED replacement bulbs for Malibu spots? Would something like this provide ample light?