What's a good e bike headlight?

[Eclectic]

Does anyone have experience with both these 4 LED universal headlights and a single Cree T6 headlight?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-85V-Universal-Motorcycle-E-bike-20W-LED-Modified-Headlight-Lamp-Silver-/221442467720
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CREE-XML-T6-5V-USB-1200LM-LED-Headlight-Headlamp-Bike-Bicycle-Light-Taillight-/151355768639

Just wondering if the little 4 LEDs put out as much as a single T6? If I remember correctly, the T6 is usually rated at somewhere near 10W. Is the 4 LED light twice as bright as a single T6 or are the Cree LEDs that much more efficient and brighter? Sure would be nice to not have to deal with a second battery system for lighting.

 

[wesnewell]

I've got 4 T6 flashlights and just got the 4 led light in the mail today. First impression with the 4 led light hooked up to a 4s lipo pack is that it's not much different than a single T6 flashlight, but I'll have to wait til it gets dark and i have the time to check them out good. I'll post a picture or video when I've done that. May be a few days. I've got other things going on.

 

[Tench]

I have 4 of the 4 led ebay lights, they are quite good, more than adequate I would say. But if you are looking for something that is effin awesome they are not the ones. I have a Thrunite TN31 torch with the XLM U2 cree led, now that is awesome, in a different league to these lights!

Good site here for comparing torches, find one with the emitter you want to see.

http://www.wikilight.de/vergleich.php?a=206&b=170

Take a look at the Olight SR96!!

 

[wesnewell]

Just did a quick test in garage and the 4 led light is considerably better than the T6 flashlights. Now I just have to figure out how to mount it along with a 5ah 4s lipo pack. Don't use the cutoff switch on my throttle so maybe... Don't have any U2 lights.

 

[Eclectic]

Thanks wesnewell. I don’t need awesome. Just something good and convenient.

 

[wesnewell]

Short video.
[youtube]FEQ_NwkBkBw[/youtube]

 

[alpharalpha]

Well, I got the rack far enough away from the brakes so it's just a matter of which light/s to buy and placement; do you think any of these would work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201128343057?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
12W CREE XML U2 LED Fog Spot Head Light Lamp Bright White Waterproof Motorcycle

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221346812406?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_7805wt_1108
Universal Super Light 9W LED Frontlight Power Light E-Bike Motorcycle ATV DC


http://www.ebay.com/itm/121356931853?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_7286wt_1125
12V 9W LED CREE Handlebar Day Light Headlight Motorcycle Car Van E-bikeView attachment 2


http://www.ebay.com/itm/121342442161?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&var=420288414555&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_3642wt_1030
Super Fashion Bright CREE T6 10W LED Motorcycle Electric Bicycle Headlamp LightSuper Fashion Bright CREE T6 10W LED Motorcycle Electric Bicycle Headlamp Light

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131219246025?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
12W Motorcycle Electric Bicycle Car PMMA LED Head Light Super White Pretty

 

[alsmith]

Well, I got the rack far enough away from the brakes so it's just a matter of which light/s to buy and placement; do you think any of these would work? View attachment 5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201128343057?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
12W CREE XML U2 LED Fog Spot Head Light Lamp Bright White Waterproof MotorcycleView attachment 4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221346812406?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_7805wt_1108
Universal Super Light 9W LED Frontlight Power Light E-Bike Motorcycle ATV DCView attachment 3


http://www.ebay.com/itm/121356931853?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_7286wt_1125
12V 9W LED CREE Handlebar Day Light Headlight Motorcycle Car Van E-bikeView attachment 2


http://www.ebay.com/itm/121342442161?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&var=420288414555&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_3642wt_1030
Super Fashion Bright CREE T6 10W LED Motorcycle Electric Bicycle Headlamp LightSuper Fashion Bright CREE T6 10W LED Motorcycle Electric Bicycle Headlamp LightView attachment 1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131219246025?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
12W Motorcycle Electric Bicycle Car PMMA LED Head Light Super White Pretty

I have the last one, nice colored light and ok but not as bright as my T6/U2. I can't remember which emitter it uses at the moment but it's not Cree, I think seoul, and not as efficient.

 

[Modbikemax]

CREE is a brand name it has no bearing on the quality of the light or the finished product.
So please stop using it like a badge of quality.
If you are buying on ebay it doubtful it is even a CREE and if it is it is most likely their lower quality offering.
The quality of the light and it's performance is as much if not more to do with the electronics and temperature control than just the chip set.
A lot of what you see in the cheap lights are repurposed household MR16 down lights from 5 years ago.
The good quality stuff is still expensive and the purpose made cycle stuff is very good and pretty relative to what you pay.
Beware the very small and very bright cycle lights their batteries are small and don't last long.
I would go for the external battery pack types.

I have an LED light shop.

 

[wesnewell]

I just made about 30-45 minute run with the 4 led motorcycle light using a 5000mah 4s pack and it only used 225mah. So that's a good 10 hours at will last. I'm more than happy with the performance. Just hope it last a year or so.

 

[alsmith]

I just made about 30-45 minute run with the 4 led motorcycle light using a 5000mah 4s pack and it only used 225mah. So that's a good 10 hours at will last. I'm more than happy with the performance. Just hope it last a year or so.

The leds should be ok for several years- when I checked the life of the T6 it worked out at about 10 years of light. The batteries are meant to last hundreds of cycles but you can never really be sure what they've used.
Do the lower power modes have all leds lit, or just a few?
I got two lights with 2 leds each, and have one set as a main beam with the other set lower so it doesn't blind oncoming drivers as a driving light.

 

[alpharalpha]

All the lights I listed can be wired directly into the the bikes battery pack (ex: 12-80v etc.)

 

[wesnewell]

All the lights I listed can be wired directly into the the bikes battery pack (ex: 12-80v etc.)

As I run 24s, that really doesn't help me. The 4 led motorcycle light is just on or off, no modes to screw with. There's also no on/off switch that comes with it.

 

[izeman]

with 24s you can use a simple ac/dc power supply to power the leds. i don't use switches to power on the lights on my bikes. they turn on as soon as i switch on the controller. i like to ride with lights on all the time as safety feature. those 10w of my led light don't cut my range compared to 2-4kW power of the motor.

 

[alpharalpha]

This one was for auction but now is $35 is it worth it or are the $10 ones good enough?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201128343057?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
12W CREE XML U2 LED Fog Spot Head Light Lamp Bright White Waterproof Motorcycle
$_35.jpg (11.83 KiB) Viewed 119 times

 

[alsmith]

If anyone is interested there's a 24V-72V DC(Max 80V) to 12V 10A converter on ebay at only $7.50 including shipping. I doubt you could even buy the casing on it's own for that price!

 

[wesnewell]

This one was for auction but now is $35 is it worth it or are the $10 ones good enough?

This one works great so far. Many times better than than the flashlight mounted ones.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121325730535?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[veloman]

If anyone is interested there's a 24V-72V DC(Max 80V) to 12V 10A converter on ebay at only $7.50 including shipping. I doubt you could even buy the casing on it's own for that price!

Don't go above 80v max. I had 81 and it blew the converter as soon as I turned my lights on. Otherwise, yes it's very cheap and works.

As for the stand alone headlights - they work well. Just know that unless you point the light really close to the road in front of you, it will be in the eyes of other road users. Good, or bad. I think they would be great for daytime running lights. Great for night, for YOU.

I found that some of those flashlights, the circuitry is crap and the light goes dim constantly, and you have to play with the tension on the end cap. Not good if it's dusk and you can't tell if you flashlight is barely putting any light out.

 

[izeman]

i'm not sure if it was written in this thread but for 80v and above just use a regular power supply with desired output voltage. they can be bought on ebay for a few €,$,£. ...

 

[cal3thousand]

i'm not sure if it was written in this thread but for 80v and above just use a regular power supply with desired output voltage. they can be bought on ebay for a few €,$,£. ...

I've seen this work as low as 12S.

I have plugged 5V wallwarts into a 12S pack and got a usable +5V from them.

 

[Modbikemax]

For high voltage over 80v you could try GU10 down lights, they have a wide range input 100-240v.
Save a lot of messing around with converters.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bright-MR16-E27-GU10-6W-9W-12W-COB-LED-Dimmable-Downlight-Globe-Bulbs-Spotlight-/141271531621?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans&var&hash=item20e4708065&_uhb=1

Not waterproof though.

 

[alpharalpha]

I'm really liking this cree u3 light, but do you have any ideas on how I'd mount it?

 

[Ykick]

I'm really liking this cree u3 light, but do you have any ideas on how I'd mount it?

From what I can tell in your photo I'd probably try a clamp like this:



Probably simply drill a small hole in the tube as well?

 

[alpharalpha]

That's a good idea. Thanks.

 

[alpharalpha]

I received the Cree u3 light and am wondering what this white box is for?View attachment 1 there were no instructions. If it's merely a strobe I'd like to attach it to the rear red cree light They are both 12v-80v.