Electronics Experts I need your Help

[Danny McGee]

Hi All,

So im looking at making a mountain bike light but need some advice on the L.E.D's and the system needed to power such.

I want something thats more than 2500 lumens (im thinking about 5 or 6 high powered LED's) but want to know the best awy of going about it.

I understand that its going to generate quite a lot of heat so will need a heat sink but thats not an issues. At my work we have the capability to machine some pretty cool stuff. We also have an electronics theme. In which we have stencil machines and solder paste machines etc etc.

I've done a little bit of research but thought before i go mental i thought i would ask the advice of some experts

I'd like some advice on manufactures for the LED's, methods or manufacture, electronics involved.

I'm thinking that getting a 14V lipo and holding that to the frame to power it

What are people's thoughts?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Danny

[mark christopher]

my mate has these and there plenty bright enough

buy this?
2400 lum
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3006040344...84.m1423.l2649


3800lm (i rekon this is exagerated figures tho)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3800Lm-3x-...32%26rk%3D4%26

[RudolfXC]

White LEDs would probably work fine straight off a one cell LiPo.

You need a type with flat bottom that you can thermally bond to a heatsink.

This is what we use at work:

http://www.aclighting.com/images/new...block-plus.jpg

I've repaired a few using thermal bonding epoxy adhesive.

[cwilson]

i have put lights on my bike recently and i used car led daytime running lights. they worked really well off 8 aa batteries. i used a a cradle type thing to hold the aa batteries. they gave a nice wide beam and quite good veiw of the road ahead. i cabletied them to the front forks and wired them to the same battery pack. i did a night run with this and they lasted all night without having to change batteries. my half brother was with me and his normal shop bought bike lights were just as good for distance but didnt have the wide beam like mine did. led lights dont really draw to much power so even a 1s lipo would be just fine.

[nites]

hi there. I recently bought some very good lights from torchythebatteryboy.co.uk through ebay.
if you look on his website, it gives pictures of lots of different manufacturers lights and beam patterns.
I bought the inton 2x cree t2 light at 95 pounds and its like having a car headlight on my bars, car drivers have flashed me thinking I have full beam on on the road but off road they are fantastic.
Nites

[mattr]

If you want to make your own, have a bit of a google on "homebrew bike lights" or derivatives of. There are at least half a dozen sites doing step by step guides on making your own, some even have lists of parts and wiring diagrams etc.

Biggest issues are getting a case, the optics and sealing.

Some of the homebrew people will provide you with these.

And FWIW, two of the UK based homebrew people have actually turned it into a proper business.

http://troutie.com/
and
http://four4th.co.uk/

I got an exodus from four4th, and its PROPER bright, i have to be careful not to point it at anyone when we stop as it may well boil their eyeballs.

And to be frank, some of trouties stuff is mental, he recently built a 7000+ lumen light out of leftovers, just for fun. Can't ride in front of him in case your clothes and hair catch fire.

[mattr]

Oh, and FWIW, most of the chinese sourced stuff is pretty good, until it goes wrong, then its only fit for the bin. Or carving up to put custom electronics/optics in.

Most i know of, specifically the stuff badged as magicshine and another one that has completely slipped my mind, are good for a winters use, then tend to pack in as soon as you crack them out for the seconds winters use, or a night ride in the summer.

The torches are a different matter altogether, they just keep going until you smash them.