Headlight Mounting

[itchytooth]

Hello,

I'm in the planning stages of building my first E-bike with some other friends. We're trying to select a headlight within a budget and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either this headlight:

from amazon or a similar one offered from magicshine (MJ-808)

What I was wondering if any of you had any problems or concerns with the headlight mounting apparatus. I'm concerned with the stability and theft issues since the mount is only a flexible plastic ring.

Also, we were looking to run the headlight from the batteries powering the motor as opposed to the battery included. Any way to get a cheaper alternative that is essentially the same thing without the batteries?

Thanks for your help.

 

[ohzee]

All of the magic shines use the same type of mounting and I have never had a problem with it.
it stays where you put it. they usually send you some extra bands in case you stretch one out or something.

I think it's pretty solid - not much weight to support anyway.

 

[Chucked]

Welcome Itchytooth!

I too am considering purchasing this exact light, and am wondering the same thing about the mounting mechanism.

I fear that it will rotate and disorient every time i go down a curb or staircase.

I also fear that someone will steal it, without even needing any tools.

has anyone implemented a good mod to alleviate these potential issues?
Thanks

 

[www.recumbents.com]

I have been using these lights for many years. It's easy to remove. Take it with you if you are parking somewhere risky.

-Warren.

 

[snellemin]

Welcome Itchytooth!

I too am considering purchasing this exact light, and am wondering the same thing about the mounting mechanism.

I fear that it will rotate and disorient every time i go down a curb or staircase.

I also fear that someone will steal it, without even needing any tools.

has anyone implemented a good mod to alleviate these potential issues?
Thanks

I have a pair mounted on my bike. It's screwed onto a bracket.

I also run a pair of 1600 LM 4*Cree XP-G LED Bike Light (LIGHT HEAD ONLY) 872-A. I light these better than the one listed above.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/261117662287?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[Chucked]

Thanks SNellemin!

I like that 1600 lumen light better.

could you by chance post a closeup picture of your mounting solution, im curious where you located the screws and what kind of screws you used and how you mounted the bracket to the bike and a couple other things.

thank you in advance!

 

[alsmith]

I got a Magicshine type light with the rubber ring mounting. Generally they're pretty stable but can slip. I've seen a mount that would replace the rubber ring mounting but I thought it was quite expensive for what it is. I think it was from geomangear but they are no longer trading.
I've decided to mount mine differently.The lamp has a mounting bracket fitted (that the rubber band hooks onto) with one screw holding it in place. I'm going to remove that bracket and screw directly to an aluminium bar fitted across the handlebars held by a couple of P-clips (I have 2 lights).

 

[snellemin]

Thanks SNellemin!

I like that 1600 lumen light better.

could you by chance post a closeup picture of your mounting solution, im curious where you located the screws and what kind of screws you used and how you mounted the bracket to the bike and a couple other things.

thank you in advance!

My bike came with mounting bracket and I just made an adapter. Simple piece of metal, drilled some holes and used the stock screws from the lights to mount on the metal bracket.
btw, I'm driving these lights straight from 2s3p battery pack. I took out the DC-DC converters and wired them in series. Max brightness all the time.

 

[grindz145]

Why stop at 1800 lumens....http://www.ebay.com/itm/5400Lm-3xCREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-Rechargeable-Bicycle-bike-Lamp-/190738549020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68e7491c

 

[ET4041]

I got two Magic Shine 808Es, 3 mode, with handlebar mount button, at LED Action Lights, http://www.action-led-lights.com/

They sell them with or without the batteries.

They ship from Illinois, USA and are reputable.

Check out their wide angle lens too as it can convert the beam spread on the Magic Shine into something a little less blinding for oncoming traffic / pedestrians.

 

[potatorage]

Why stop at 1800 lumens....http://www.ebay.com/itm/5400Lm-3xCREE-XM-L-XML-T6-LED-Rechargeable-Bicycle-bike-Lamp-/190738549020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c68e7491c

Well, they tend to under drive the LEDs, especially so when they add more of them into an approximately same sized heatsink. While the 3 LEDs would be more efficient, they certainly won't be 3 times as bright.

 

[d8veh]

I use those lights, but instead of the branded ones, you can get them a lot cheaper direct from the Chinese suppliers via Ebay, The ones I have have 4 cells in the pack and run at 8.4v, while as some of the cheaper ones only have 2 cells and run at 4.2v. I'm waiting for one of the three LEDs versions to be delivered. I'll report on it when I get it. I also tried one of the 3 LED torches. Although a bit heavy and clumsy, it gives out about as much light as a car halogen headlight on main beam. I've never seen a bicycle light get anywhere near the amount of light that comes out of it. I guarantee that you won't need more. I also ordered one of the 5 LED torches for my boat, but I've been waiting 8 weeks and it still hasn't come yet. Apparently it left China on 4th November, so maybe soon.

 

[BATFINK]

Here is my comparison of the magicshine 808 versus a headlight of similiar price but with 3 Cree T6 LED's just get this one and be done with it, its called the skyray S6

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=45604

 

[Chucked]

Excellent comparison, thanks Batfink!

are you having problems with the light slipping or moving when you go down curbs and potholes and things?

 

[BATFINK]

Not really, I did notice in the rain that the rubber band style fixing can get loose if water gets on it tho. I.e. when it's raining. I usually cut a thin piece of rubber from an old inner tube and wrap that around the handlebar and then I stick the light on with the rubber band fixing and it's pretty solid and prints any slippage but still allows me to adjust it. I like being able to adjust the height a little on the fly. For instance if I'm out on a bike track or path where there are no cars I set the light a little higher so I can see further in the distance and its easy to just put it down a little if I bump into somebody else on the path or if I hit traffic and want to keep full beam but not blind anyone. Just turning the light down to 1 or 2 LED's can still be too much for people. I was running both the magic shine and skyway together the other evening and I out the magic shine beam about 3 or 4 meters out in front of the the bike and the skyray put for distance. It's nice having options with your lights. One guy walking his dog stopped me las week when I was using just the magic shine and he was amazed and wanted to know where to get one. The bike lights at local bike shops are way overpriced for what you get. I've not seen him since I got the skyray tho

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