Joined
·
579 Posts
So I finally finished my lights!!
The bar-mounted one is an almost exact copy of this: http://myfwyc.org/Timberlake/BikeLighting
The mtbr thread about it: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=146529&highlight=trilux
I used 3 Luxeon III stars, IMS reflectors, 1000mA buckpuck, and a 14.8V 4800 mAh Li-ion pack. I didn't include an on/off switch, but it does have a potentiometer that can effectivley function as one when it's dimmined all the way down. Aarctic alumina thermal adhesive was used between the stars and the tube they sit on, everything else was JB weld. Clear polycarbonate was used as the lens. The handlebar clamp was from my old nighthawk halogen light.
After testing the finished light, I realized that an additional helmet mounted light would be a very good idea. While it does put out a decent amount of light, 240 lumens, it's quite spotty. While a tight, spotty beam is good for helmet mounts, I like more of a wider, flood beam pattern on the bars.
The helmet mount light consists of 2 Luxeon K2's, IMS reflectors, 1000 mA buckpuck with potentiometer, and a 11.1 V 5200 mAh pack. I almost went with some Cree's, but decided to go with what I knew for the sake of expediency. The buckpuck is housed in one light head, and the pot is in the other. The K2's are brightest at 1500 mA, but here theyre only getting 1000 mA, 130 vs. 100 lumens...oh well. I put a switch on the side of the helmet for easy on-off control, nice for riding in urban areas. Everything is attached to the helmet with velcro.
The two lights worked great on the ride last night. They didn't overheat - it was below freezing though...a warm July night will be the test for that. The battery pack on the down tube was solid, no movement. All in all, a success. However, I did find myself wondering a few times: "I wonder just how much brighter those Cree's are...?"
Hope this is useful. And thanks to all the other LED bikelight creators out there!!!!
Here be pics!
The bar-mounted one is an almost exact copy of this: http://myfwyc.org/Timberlake/BikeLighting
The mtbr thread about it: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=146529&highlight=trilux
I used 3 Luxeon III stars, IMS reflectors, 1000mA buckpuck, and a 14.8V 4800 mAh Li-ion pack. I didn't include an on/off switch, but it does have a potentiometer that can effectivley function as one when it's dimmined all the way down. Aarctic alumina thermal adhesive was used between the stars and the tube they sit on, everything else was JB weld. Clear polycarbonate was used as the lens. The handlebar clamp was from my old nighthawk halogen light.
After testing the finished light, I realized that an additional helmet mounted light would be a very good idea. While it does put out a decent amount of light, 240 lumens, it's quite spotty. While a tight, spotty beam is good for helmet mounts, I like more of a wider, flood beam pattern on the bars.
The helmet mount light consists of 2 Luxeon K2's, IMS reflectors, 1000 mA buckpuck with potentiometer, and a 11.1 V 5200 mAh pack. I almost went with some Cree's, but decided to go with what I knew for the sake of expediency. The buckpuck is housed in one light head, and the pot is in the other. The K2's are brightest at 1500 mA, but here theyre only getting 1000 mA, 130 vs. 100 lumens...oh well. I put a switch on the side of the helmet for easy on-off control, nice for riding in urban areas. Everything is attached to the helmet with velcro.
The two lights worked great on the ride last night. They didn't overheat - it was below freezing though...a warm July night will be the test for that. The battery pack on the down tube was solid, no movement. All in all, a success. However, I did find myself wondering a few times: "I wonder just how much brighter those Cree's are...?"
Hope this is useful. And thanks to all the other LED bikelight creators out there!!!!
Here be pics!
Attachments
-
159.1 KB Views: 1,102
-
160.4 KB Views: 1,093
-
168.2 KB Views: 1,095
-
173.1 KB Views: 1,107
-
170.4 KB Views: 1,067