Total Geekiness
#1176
Originally Posted by nycballer0591
I Have A Question is there a way to make left and right turn signals for bikes ?
1) get two of these in red, with the double over-under mount, and set them to steady-fire as your taillight, giving a centerline reference point so people can determine whether your turn signal is a left or right signal even if it's dark out: https://www.bullled.com
2) get four of those same lights in amber color, and set them to the 75Hz single-flash pattern. Use the 1Sync wire for the left and right pairs so they flash in sync, and get a rocker switch that can fire the left pair (1 front 1 rear) or the right pair (1 front 1 rear) as desired.
3) for the front, use a powerful headlight to serve as your centerline reference point, so the turn signals have context.
Mount the turn signals far-enough off-center that it doesn't take a lot of work to tell that they're turn signals. I know those are expensive, but they're also weathertight and are definitely bright enough to be highly visible in daytime. If you want legal signalling, you do need front signals too.
#1177
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff, Wales
Bikes: Apollo CX10
or.... hook up a bunch of LED's behind an amber filter to a 555 timer. place them on either side of your rack, wire em up to your power system and use a 3 position rocker to do left - off - right.
Cheaper, will work, and easier
Cheaper, will work, and easier
#1178
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Originally Posted by vrkelley
OK uncle. The Performance Flare lasted less than 2K miles (less than 6 mo')....the bracket is on it's last leg.. I ordered 2 strobes from Nordic. They supposedly run on 12 or 24V...guess I may have to step down the voltage to get 'em to run on my 18V setup.
https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...TROBE-3A&type=
Last edited by vrkelley; 07-04-06 at 06:03 PM.
#1179
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
From: northern California
Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000
Originally Posted by vrkelley
Sorry to say the capacitor just fell out of the Nordic after 10mo's or about 4500miles. Anyone else have this problem with the Nordics strobes?
https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...TROBE-3A&type=
https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...TROBE-3A&type=
'No, but I had a problem with the capacitor in a Radio Shack strobe cominloose when vibration caused a wire to fail. I just pumped silicone caulk around the capacitor in the next strobe and am still using it 12 years later. Takes anything from 9 to 24 volts. Just blinks faster or slower.
#1180
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Originally Posted by ken cummings
'
'No, but I had a problem with the capacitor in a Radio Shack strobe cominloose when vibration caused a wire to fail. I just pumped silicone caulk around the capacitor in the next strobe and am still using it 12 years later. Takes anything from 9 to 24 volts. Just blinks faster or slower.
'No, but I had a problem with the capacitor in a Radio Shack strobe cominloose when vibration caused a wire to fail. I just pumped silicone caulk around the capacitor in the next strobe and am still using it 12 years later. Takes anything from 9 to 24 volts. Just blinks faster or slower.
EDITED: I did a test removal on the broken strobe. By lightly tapping a perry knife between the 2 housings (going all the way around the light), I was able to break the seal without wrecking the housing.
Thanks Ken!
Last edited by vrkelley; 07-09-06 at 09:40 PM.
#1181
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff, Wales
Bikes: Apollo CX10
horns... just putting together my set after buying the gear from ebay
damn crimping tools... not paying £19.99 for one when ebay has em for £3.99 with crimps! 
Umming and Ahhhing on putting a car horn on it. Which horn have you gone for and does it give a satisfying parp!
as opposed to a rubbish meeeeeeeeeeeeep.
damn crimping tools... not paying £19.99 for one when ebay has em for £3.99 with crimps! 
Umming and Ahhhing on putting a car horn on it. Which horn have you gone for and does it give a satisfying parp!
as opposed to a rubbish meeeeeeeeeeeeep.
#1182
Originally Posted by vrkelley
Sorry to say the capacitor just fell out of the Nordic after 10mo's or about 4500miles. Anyone else have this problem with the Nordics strobes?
https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...TROBE-3A&type=
https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...TROBE-3A&type=
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...003083/c-10101
The xenon bulb is replaceable at $5.
__________________
No worries
No worries
#1183
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Originally Posted by LittleBigMan
Yeh, mine quit on me in the first week. So I got this one in amber, very happy with it:
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...003083/c-10101
The xenon bulb is replaceable at $5.
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...003083/c-10101
The xenon bulb is replaceable at $5.
Pete, I notice that your strobe is more for automotive and probably won't have this vibration problem. How long hae you been using this strobe?
#1184
Enjoy

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,165
Likes: 0
From: Seattle metro
Bikes: Trek 5200
Originally Posted by LittleBigMan
Yeh, mine quit on me in the first week. So I got this one in amber, very happy with it:
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...003083/c-10101
The xenon bulb is replaceable at $5.
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...003083/c-10101
The xenon bulb is replaceable at $5.
#1185
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff, Wales
Bikes: Apollo CX10
ah yeah... forgot to post my lovely creation 
https://www.m3-computers.com/bike/lights/
Bunch of pics and a movie of me electrocuting myself with the battery when a short circuit happened.

https://www.m3-computers.com/bike/lights/
Bunch of pics and a movie of me electrocuting myself with the battery when a short circuit happened.
#1186
Get outdoors! :)
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Bikes: Schwinn Sierra 700 Limited Edition
Originally Posted by nycballer0591
I Have A Question is there a way to make left and right turn signals for bikes ?
#1188
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
I've got some new gadgets on the way!
Yesterday I ordered a BuckPuck and a BuckToot to drive my bike lights. I've got a homebuilt Dual-Luxeon III setup right now, but current limiting is via a big 5W resistor. *blech* It's time to take this into the 21st century! The 1000mA BuckPuck will drive the two white 3W Luxeons, at over 90% efficiency. I'll also be able to dim the lights (should I ever need to...). The BuckToot will run dual red 1W Luxeons in the rear. Everything will be powered by a 9V, 5400mAh lithium-ion battery.
And yes, I'll post pics when it's done.
Yesterday I ordered a BuckPuck and a BuckToot to drive my bike lights. I've got a homebuilt Dual-Luxeon III setup right now, but current limiting is via a big 5W resistor. *blech* It's time to take this into the 21st century! The 1000mA BuckPuck will drive the two white 3W Luxeons, at over 90% efficiency. I'll also be able to dim the lights (should I ever need to...). The BuckToot will run dual red 1W Luxeons in the rear. Everything will be powered by a 9V, 5400mAh lithium-ion battery.
And yes, I'll post pics when it's done.
#1190
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Originally Posted by vrkelley
Jeff-oWow a dimmer switch...awesome 

#1191
Newbie Commuter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
Bikes: Giant Sedona MTB - Optimized for commuting
I'm finally starting on my DIY lighting project, and I can't find the Optronics QH-7CC lights anywhere! The one place that I found cancelled my order because they said they weren't getting anymore. Does anyone have any ideas for a good substitution that still uses MR16 bulbs?
#1192
Unique Vintage Steel



Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 287
From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...966832/c-10101
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000201440 (pretty sure these are MR16s)
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000201440 (pretty sure these are MR16s)
#1194
Newbie Commuter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
Bikes: Giant Sedona MTB - Optimized for commuting
Originally Posted by cuda2k
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...966832/c-10101
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000201440 (pretty sure these are MR16s)
https://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000201440 (pretty sure these are MR16s)
#1195
Recumbent Evangelist
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Originally Posted by random97402guy
Thanks for trying to help, but both of these specifically say H3 bulbs. Anyone else got any advice???
#1196
Unique Vintage Steel



Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 287
From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
I know the first one uses the MR16 bulb, the catalog is wrong. The reviews even say so.
#1197
Originally Posted by vrkelley
Road vibration is a real problem with circuit boards. The new light had no adhesive for the capactor AT ALL. I used a hot glue gun to seat the capacitor and will report back after awhile.
Pete, I notice that your strobe is more for automotive and probably won't have this vibration problem. How long hae you been using this strobe?
Pete, I notice that your strobe is more for automotive and probably won't have this vibration problem. How long hae you been using this strobe?
Originally Posted by vrkelley
Since the base appears flat, how did you install this light?

Well, there are two holes on the underside that take screws. I attached it to an L-shaped mount I had, which can be attached to a horizontal surface.
I also had great success with a similar Radio Shack xenon strobe which I got on clearance years ago for about $8. I think the first lasted about 18 months, and it might have lasted longer had I known how to fix it. I can't remember how long I've had this one, but it's got to be at least a year, and it's taking all the vibration I've given it so far. This model was from JCWhitney at $25, I think.
I'm sold on xenon strobes, they are very bright. My coworker who passes me on the road some mornings tells me he can "see me a mile away."

(Re: "vibration," I think this is a valid concern. So far, so good, but perhaps an eye to shock-absorbing mount wouldn't hurt.)
__________________
No worries
No worries
Last edited by LittleBigMan; 08-10-06 at 12:19 PM.
#1198
Folks, try www.bulbs.com for energy-saving bulbs. You can get more light for your watts.
https://www.bulbs.com/products/produc...ucts&class=840
Click on above link, 5th bulb and 19th bulb from top.
https://www.bulbs.com/products/produc...ucts&class=840
Click on above link, 5th bulb and 19th bulb from top.
__________________
No worries
No worries
#1200
Unique Vintage Steel



Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 287
From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
I'm getting a Energy Saver 8 degree narrow spot (20W).
But I'd also like a slightly wider bulb to pair with it, most likely also a 20W. any suggestions for a high quality 12-18 degree bulb?
But I'd also like a slightly wider bulb to pair with it, most likely also a 20W. any suggestions for a high quality 12-18 degree bulb?





