I need 18650 head light suggestions.

[icecube57]

I want to find a light that I can use 18650vt batteries or safely overdrive it with my Ping 12.8v booster. I dont care whether its HID Halogen or LED as long as its bright as hell. Im looking to speed 50-75 at most including shipping. This is for some night riding 1-2 hours after dusk. Maybe some lit night street riding.

I thought about getting some Wal-Mart "Bell"Halogen and running them at 8.4v or 9.6v with 18650 pack. I could buy two and wire them in series off my Ping pack.

There is a cheap chinese 76 led light on ebay that someone modded to run on 6v and it was bright as hell. I would need two in series like the Walmart Bell Lights.

My main pack is 74v nominal 13.2AH The Ping pack is 12.8v nominal and 15AH. I can use the spare 2 AH in the ping to drive small accessories without a dc to dc convertor.

 

[317537]

I did a 28.5v reg based on an LM317t and a string 9 leds in series 3 parallel for a 36v pack on my Curry tech Dyno BMX bike.. For the first time I can go riding without charging my bike light batteries.

Im about to build a 48v version at 39v. with 12 series led 4 strings paralell. Ill post my working in here if you likes.

 

[317537]

I used a childs stacking cup to house the lm317t and switch and used a puncture repair kits plastic box to house the led board I bought from an electronics shop.\





I could up the voltage a little or add more leds. It works fine as it is though. Leave sleeping dogs lie and dont fix things that aint broke.

 

[Doctorbass]

Here is WHAT YOU MUST HAVE !!

Drect from DealExtreme.

The new Cree SSC P7 10W powerfull LED of up to 900 lumens!!!

Apparently the most efficient and cheap white led !! 90 lumen per watt

These flashlight ( many different models) work with a single 18650

with black waterproof aluminum casing

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12623


you can find many other that have 900lumens
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12325


Doc

 

[icecube57]

Great find what about handlebar holder grip thingie. Do you run 1 or 2. Is two overkill.

 

[317537]

Those special 3w or so leds are way overprice here. Im going to see if my friend in dallas can order a few mouser parts for me soon. Ive found the faster you go the brighter you need. My humble led light doesnt make up for the brightness of the above torch


Ive found one "standard non diffused" led per kph or three standard leds per 2 mph. So if you go 28kph (17 mph) 28 standard leds is enough to light up your path adequatly.

 

[bonzo]

I have this light. Also known as the Magicshine.

It truly is mega bright.

Don't get it from dealextreme, and it uses four 18650's in a pack, not one.

They claim 3hrs run time on high, 4-5 on low. I get much longer run times than that, I ride several nights before charge up.

Get it from here, when back in stock, he's a standup guy....

http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_41&products_id=138

 

[TylerDurden]

I use these 12V LED (white version):

Contained in these:

Bright enough for 25-30mph

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10461