You geeks got nothing on this guy: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/d...eam-218630.php

Pond Scum - Double Strength (Homebrew)
 

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/50...e_strength.jpg

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/50...strength_2.jpg

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/50...gth_wiring.jpg



Pond light (2x) $8.00 $16.00
Handlebar mount (2x) $10.00 $20.00
Switch (2x) $4.00 $8.00
MR16 bulb (2x) $4.00 $8.00
14.4V Battery/Charger (1x) $70.00 $70.00

Total $122.00

Looks cool, good job

I saw those pond lights before but forget where you can buy them. Have any more info?

Pretty sure those are from Harbor Freight

Pond Scum Homebrew Bike Light
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=245737

Hey folks: My DIY lights are great. I have run into a little problem with the glue. I glued the waterproof light switches to the PVC pipes. Worked for a short while(2 weeks) then failed. Seems the glued stayed on the PVC but not the switches. I used the WP switches from batteryspace.com and 5 minute epoxy. The are made of hard plastic. Any recommendations on other glues that may work? I was thinking marine goop. Thanks Charlie

Did you roughen up the plastic with sandpaper before applying the glue?

I had the same problem using some JB Weld. I am now using Devcon Plastic Welder. This stuff is supposed to have a solvent that helps melt the plastic. So far the stuff seems very robust. I picked it up at an Ace Hardware by me. It definitely helps to rough up the surface with some sand paper, then clean real good with alcohol.

you guys are good, less than an hour and 2 replies. No I didn't rough it up...my bad. I'll roughen tonight. and perhaps try another glue. Thanks guys

I put the Pond Scum light together, too. My parts list is about $62.50 and includes only 1 front light. However, there is great xenon strobe light included... if the thing lasts that long!

I posted my solution on the Car Free Living forum
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...05#post3472205
mainly so those guys could find out about this wonderful thread!

Has anyone looked into the possibility of utilizing a dynamo hub as a trickle charger to a battery?

Some batteries don't like to be charged and used at the same time. It could be done I guess, but for anything but a lead-acid battery, you'd probably need some kind of charge controller to regulate what goes in and what goes out. For the extra weight of the dynamo, the resistance it introduces, and the weight of the extra controller, you may as well add a bigger battery. It's a cool idea through, if it were implemented from the design phase-up.

I was thinking more along the lines of having it charge while it wasn't being used during the daytime (I know some people take their batteries off when not in use but I just keep mine on)
I feel it would indeed be complicated but something maybe worth looking into

You're right then, a generator could be used to charge the battery during daylight hours. Heck, you could even slap a solar panel on there and have it charge while the bike is parked at work! ;)

My All Electronics xenon strobe failed and I'm going to replace it. I need something to mount to the rear of my trunk box where the strobe is. I've thought about getting one of those magnetic mount amber flashers with the cig lighter plug on one end. Anyone use a tail light built for trucks/trailers? I use a 12v 8amh LAB with seperate switches for headlight and tail. Suggestions welcome.

This has nothing to do with lighting, but it just beat all of you by eleventy-billion geekofactor and 401 watts.

http://www.focushacks.com/photo/war-...07-06_2155.jpg


http://www.focushacks.com/photo/war-...07-06_2157.jpg


http://www.focushacks.com/photo/war-...07-06_2158.jpg

Link for those who wonder WTF it is:

http://kc-bike.blogspot.com/2006/12/war-biking.html

Ok got me a 20w hal light. MR16 last i checked. i dont have a batery but i did test it with a 12v source, and its way brighter than any led light.

And the reflector housing is NOT water tight... i got proof... failed water test... MORE HOT GLUE!


EDIT:
Firstly, hot glue, totaly useless, as the light it self gets hotter than the melting point of the glue. Sencondly, the WHOLE housing started to get too soft. so here is my failed attempt at a bike light...:


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5025Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5024Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5026Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5027Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5028Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5029Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5030Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5031Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5032Medium.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...5033Medium.jpg

When I arrived at the transit mall this dark AM I was praised for my strobe tail light by a Suit headed for San Francisco. The 35 watt headlight meant nothing to him. "They would have to be blind to miss that taillight."
So I told him about the blind man driving back east with his kid in his lap giving directions.

diff lock2 Love the play dough fixture

How long did the strobe last? I just got one and it's survived 2 weeks. Problem is, I really like it. Wouldn't know what to replace it with... When I bought my Pond light at Harbor Freight, I picked up an el cheapo amber light ($2.99) I wonder if that would work as a replacement?

I'm sure you could find something at an auto parts store. Here's a few thought:
http://www.commandelectronics.com/in...il-lights.html

OK. Got my All Electronics strobe working. Finally got around to tracking down a loose wire-to-connector connection. Just in case I bought an amber, twin bulb, trailer marking lamp and an automotive, two contact, flasher unit. Has anyone tried this combination. Will the flasher work with my 12v 8amh SLA battery?

yeah, I'm thinking of keeping it as the housing, but i gota find my epoxy cause hot glue melts at the operating temps. Actually i think im going to figure a way of mounting it with out glue! like a clip or something!... but im gona need epoxy for the clip.

I think Epoxy will fail at -20C ((-20) degrees Celsius = -4 degrees Fahrenheit). I think ill find out the hard way.

were on earth is my epoxy?!

use caulk for waterproofing. To hold onto a clip might need epoxy. OR use a hose clamp around the whole unit to hold onto a bike

I'm confused... Now I've seen that both the radioshack strobes and the all-electronics ones have failed on people because they can't handle vibration? If I buy one, I want it to last a while. What is the recommendation?

Thanks!

Mine has been working for the 2 weeks I've had it. And others here seem to use them. But I can't speak to how long they will last.

They certainly are great lights though... very brilliant and run at less than 2 watts.