A DIY bike light
 

Hello!

I've created this little guy:

And I'm planning to make some instructions so you can make one yourself. What do you think?

Check my instructions here: http://makezine.com/projects/make-a-...a-bottle-caps/

So when the wheel stops moving, the light stops flashing? No thanks. Waiting at a light at night on my late commute home in a college town, with no rear blinker on.....that spells disaster.

Well, yes, this is its disadvantage ( but its advantage as well because this system prevents you from forgetting to turn it on as well as forgetting to turn it off), but it's extremely rare to get hit from a car that didn't stop on red light. Even if the car runs a red light it won't hit you because you're waiting on the side of the road.

If your going to make a new bike light make the sucker at least 4x5 inches so it can REALLY be seen.

All this is is another damn dinky bike light...:bang::bang::bang:

Bring It On with some instructions...

Id like to try it. Couldn't hurt.

+1

I wouldn't consider it super bright. I lost sight of it when the bike in the video hit about 20 yards. :o

Too dim,and no stand light. No thanks. Maybe as an auxiliary light,but I'll keep my PB Superflash.

I have yet to forget to turn my blinker on during the day, let alone at night. Your logic as to cars running red lights and being hit is very flawed. I am often in the left turn lane, or in the right lane, not hugging the curb. I think that I will stick to the Cygolite Hotshot Micro and Serfas Thunderbolt that I am currently using. As someone mentioned above, that light is fairly dim, and I also lost sight of it in the video.

Trust me, it is very bright (many people have commented about How bright it is), don't judge it by the crappy video. Make magazine and website will have an article soon with detailed instructions. So, if someone is even remotely interested about it, can try it.

Serfas Thunderbolt tail at about 100 feet. I have been told by a few different co-workers that they have seen mine blinking at almost a mile away. Your video makes that light seem extremely dull.

That's a challenge man, I will make a video this night. 100ft distance, night conditions. And remember the bicy light can last up to a year with 40 min of use every day - with a single button battery. Atleast in theory, but so far, after a month of everyday use day and night, it's going strong.

One thing I've figured out is, change the battery before it runs low. From observations of friends riding around with unexpectedly dim taillights because they were trying to squeeze another nickel's worth of use out of those AAA's.

^ simply another reason why I choose to only run USB chargeable lights. Saves the hassle of buying batteries/charging recyclable batteries. I have 5 million USB chargers from various phones and the lights themselves come with them. I have them at work and at home and carry a spare with me in my bag just in case.

By the way, if someone is interested my article with instructions just published

Make a Waterproof Bike Light from Soda Bottle Caps - Make: | Make:

This is excellent. I've been mulling over the easiest way to get my lights to turn on automatically, and this is beautiful in its simplicity. There's no reason I can think of to not have this on all my bikes.

The bottle cap blocks a lot of light. You'd be better off getting one of those LED clearance lights from the auto parts store and rigging up the switch the same way if you want.

That's strange? Make's official website gives a warning?? you can search it on google "waterproof bike light from soda bottle caps"

its actually better with the cap than without it. I know it's weird but it seems the led makes the whole cap glow like a small sun :) I will make a video during the night to see it in action

I' m sure you will love it. Once it's on your bike you won't have to worry about it for a long long time. And they won't steal it because it doesn't work by itself!

If the glow is what you want, I do like your whole idea and simple design. The intermediate "on" with the reed switch is clever, making your battery last longer.

I mentioned it as an FYI. I'd rigged a lost light lens once with a red deodorant cap (it was the right size) and it did glow, but it just wasn't as bright.