Headlights?

[lazarus2405]

So I'm ordering my kit tomorrow morning (yeah, I really mean it this time!), and it struck me that I hadn't considered lighting. I'll be running on an 84v 9ah LiMn (e-moli) setup, but sticking to ~20mph at night in suburban traffic conditions. How many watts would be enough, and what would you suggest? What have you found successful?


I did a little looking myself, and I think this is an interesting idea:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B0009F8V02/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi

It's a utility worklight designed to use the same batteries that I'll be using for my bike. I could rearrange my pack from a 3s3p to a 2s4p with one to power the light, with the advantage of being able to use it as a worklight when needed. It says "over 5 hours on one charge", so that works out to about 17w. Might it work?

Though, after reading more, it's an incandescent light. I think I'd want to use LEDs.

 

[fechter]

There are a few threads on lights with some good ideas. Search around.

At 84v, you should have no trouble finding a switching power supply to use as a dc-dc converter, so you can use any voltage you want for the light and find a power supply to feed it.
I recently found a 3w Luxeon LED flashlight at a local hardware store for around $20. It runs on 3v.
I''m quite impressed by the brightness compared to my other LED lights which are not focused.
I think 3w would barely cut it for 20mph. More would be better. 2 or 3 lights together would be one way to boost the brightness.

 

[monster]

you would want at least 20 watts for night cycling at 20 mph. going down hill is where things become dangerous. i have opted for 20 watts front and back, but i can switch on another 40 watts if i think someones gonna pull-out in front of me, or i'm approaching a junction. a car horn is essential too!

 

[lazarus2405]

At 84v, you should have no trouble finding a switching power supply to use as a dc-dc converter, so you can use any voltage you want for the light and find a power supply to feed it.

True. I have plenty running around...

Any suggestions for particular units or suppliers? What have you found to work well?

 

[mvadventure]

I've read most of the light posts and simply went my own way. Where I live it's mostly very dark and I find that the darker it is the more effective my inexpensive LED lights are and that when there are occasional lamp posts I don't need all that much light. Problems occur in the fog and rain and in all seriousness I try real hard to avoid either. So, have two LED lights, one a five bulb and the other a three bulb and they are aimed at different angles. In addition I have a five LED bulb light that mounts on my head. Most of the time the two lights are sufficient and I don't even put the head light on but when I do I have all the light I need for 20 MPH. Plus the total investment is less than thirty dollars and the batteries last a long time.

Since I'm an old fart and have a real desire to get even older I also use two tail lights flashing at different frequencies. So far so good no one has run into me and I haven't run into anyone but have had to slow down when road surfaces are hard to read but then again I'm on a bicycle and not in all that big a hurry to start with.

Mike

 

[Drunkskunk]

I got one of those little 5 LED Cannondale lights from the LBS on there recomendation. it came as a set with a tail light for $40, and is water proof. it also has a neat clip so you can pop it off the handlebars and use it as a mini flashlight.

And its almost bright enough to identify which key you need to open a door, but not quite. Better have a full moon as well that night.

I need a better light.

 

[fechter]

True. I have plenty running around...

Any suggestions for particular units or suppliers? What have you found to work well?

Just about anything that has an input rating of "100 - 240 vac" will work great.

 

[Jay]

I ride about 20 mph in the dark, and have found a 12V 15W (MR16) halogen to be enough. Didn't want to mess with a voltage converter, or add load to my main batteries, so I bought an 11.1V 2Ah LiPo. Runs the headlight plus dual xenon strobes for the hour or so it takes to get to work. Disadvantage is that it adds yet another charger to the four I already have to use for my 48V NiMH's.