Pond Scum DIY halogen light
12-05-06 | 10:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
In the right lane
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 8
From: Des Moines
Bikes: 1974 Huffy 3 speed
Pond Scum DIY halogen light
Do you want your bicycle to glow in the dark? I've been studying the Total Geekiness thread in the Commuting forum. It's all about home-made lights. Here's my version of the Pond Scum light with a rear xenon strobe.
Parts
------
* 12VDC 500MA 2-STAGE CHARGER FOR LEAD-ACID BATTERIES $12.75 https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...ATTERIES_.html
* AMBER XENON FLASHER $8.95 https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._FLASHER_.html
* 12 VOLT 5 AH GEL CEL BATTERY $ 15.00, https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._BATTERY_.html
* 22 GAUGE RED/BLACK ZIP CORD $.10 foot (20 feet is lots...), https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...ZIP_CORD_.html
* 20 watt submersible spotlight $7.99, https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...unction=Search
* 20 watt MR16 halogen light (with lens cover) $4.95 bought at Lowe's
* various 12 volt connectors $4.95 at Harbor Freight. Much more at Radio Shack.
* electrical tape
* various nuts, bolts, washers $2
* 12 volt switch, $3.49 at auto parts store
Tools
-----
electric drill
screw drivers
wire cutters (I used a vise grip...)
box cutter or other sharp knife
Total cost
----------
$62.50. However, you also need to factor in some internet shipping costs. You can pick up most of the battery and charger at Radio Shack but it costs a lot more.
I also tend to purchase a few extra things when I shop, so the cost kind of creeps upwards. For example, while buying the $2 worth of nuts and bolts, I saw some night reflective tape at $8.95. You get the picture.
How I put it together
--------------------
Hardest part is fitting the front light on the handlebar. Luckily, I already had a reflector on the handlebar, so I discarded the reflector part and was left with a nice mount for the light.
Next, I discarded the MR11 light that comes with the submersible spotlight and drilled a small hole right through the back. Inserted a 1 inch bolt and applied two nuts and 2 washers to hold it to the handlebar mount.
Then, placed the xenon strobe light on the rack. You can probably hold it with some of the 12 volt wire. I had a small strap that I drilled 2 holes for the strobe's mounting studs.
Finally, where to fit the battery. I had a little space between my rear rack and seatpost. I lodged the batter right on the stays that hold up the rack. The battery weighs about 3 pounds, so you need something major to hold it. You could also fit it in a frame bag, a handlebar bag or Nashbar also sells (for $15) a small front rack which would work. For the moment, I secured the battery to the rack with some nylon cord. However, I am scouring about for some strapping.
When I had all this connected, I hooked up a 12 volt switch which I left near my seat post. I'm not 12 volt electrician by any means, just used the diagrams on the switch to figure out the wiring.
Notes
-----
Some posters in the Total Geekiness thread complain that the xeonon strobe doesn't stand up all that well. I have no complaints after 2 nights. The strobe is really nicely visible, but if it doesn't work there are many non-strobing solutions for less than the $8.95 I paid.
I really like the 20 watt halogen on the front. I would not want to go with a 10 watt however. Also, you might consider a spot rather than the flood bulb I bought. Also, make doubly sure you buy a bulb with a lens cover.
I'm not sure how long I should get out of this system. So far, I've run front halogen and strobe for an hour with no problems. I recharge every evening.
Resources
---------
Pond Scum light https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=245737
Total Geekiness thread https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=42629&page=58
Parts
------
* 12VDC 500MA 2-STAGE CHARGER FOR LEAD-ACID BATTERIES $12.75 https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...ATTERIES_.html
* AMBER XENON FLASHER $8.95 https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._FLASHER_.html
* 12 VOLT 5 AH GEL CEL BATTERY $ 15.00, https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi..._BATTERY_.html
* 22 GAUGE RED/BLACK ZIP CORD $.10 foot (20 feet is lots...), https://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...ZIP_CORD_.html
* 20 watt submersible spotlight $7.99, https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...unction=Search
* 20 watt MR16 halogen light (with lens cover) $4.95 bought at Lowe's
* various 12 volt connectors $4.95 at Harbor Freight. Much more at Radio Shack.
* electrical tape
* various nuts, bolts, washers $2
* 12 volt switch, $3.49 at auto parts store
Tools
-----
electric drill
screw drivers
wire cutters (I used a vise grip...)
box cutter or other sharp knife
Total cost
----------
$62.50. However, you also need to factor in some internet shipping costs. You can pick up most of the battery and charger at Radio Shack but it costs a lot more.
I also tend to purchase a few extra things when I shop, so the cost kind of creeps upwards. For example, while buying the $2 worth of nuts and bolts, I saw some night reflective tape at $8.95. You get the picture.
How I put it together
--------------------
Hardest part is fitting the front light on the handlebar. Luckily, I already had a reflector on the handlebar, so I discarded the reflector part and was left with a nice mount for the light.
Next, I discarded the MR11 light that comes with the submersible spotlight and drilled a small hole right through the back. Inserted a 1 inch bolt and applied two nuts and 2 washers to hold it to the handlebar mount.
Then, placed the xenon strobe light on the rack. You can probably hold it with some of the 12 volt wire. I had a small strap that I drilled 2 holes for the strobe's mounting studs.
Finally, where to fit the battery. I had a little space between my rear rack and seatpost. I lodged the batter right on the stays that hold up the rack. The battery weighs about 3 pounds, so you need something major to hold it. You could also fit it in a frame bag, a handlebar bag or Nashbar also sells (for $15) a small front rack which would work. For the moment, I secured the battery to the rack with some nylon cord. However, I am scouring about for some strapping.
When I had all this connected, I hooked up a 12 volt switch which I left near my seat post. I'm not 12 volt electrician by any means, just used the diagrams on the switch to figure out the wiring.
Notes
-----
Some posters in the Total Geekiness thread complain that the xeonon strobe doesn't stand up all that well. I have no complaints after 2 nights. The strobe is really nicely visible, but if it doesn't work there are many non-strobing solutions for less than the $8.95 I paid.
I really like the 20 watt halogen on the front. I would not want to go with a 10 watt however. Also, you might consider a spot rather than the flood bulb I bought. Also, make doubly sure you buy a bulb with a lens cover.
I'm not sure how long I should get out of this system. So far, I've run front halogen and strobe for an hour with no problems. I recharge every evening.
Resources
---------
Pond Scum light https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=245737
Total Geekiness thread https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=42629&page=58
Last edited by gerv; 12-05-06 at 10:10 PM.
