Bicycle Brake Lights

video Bicycle Brake Lights

Highly visible to others when brakes are applied.

Adambowker98 says: Jun 23, 2012. 6:36 PM

Howe long does it last on your wife's bike, without brake activation?

bobcat1947 (author) in reply to Adambowker98Jun 23, 2012. 6:50 PM

I think it would be safe to say "hours". Although we have since upgraded her bike to a newer model,, and she didn't want any extraneous stuff on her new one yet, the old one was very dependable. Since we're old guys, we'er not out at night a lot. The most I had the old setup turned on (her bike) was probably 30 to 40 minutes; but even without re-charging, it was good to go for 2 more times as I recall. What DID drain the batteries, on my ride, was the installation of a mechanical type 3-prong flasher for cars. This was before I put in the brake switch, and just had static lights. I wanted them to flash. What would work better is a flasher just for LED's. One day I think I'll put one of those motorcycle types on it that flash 3 times real fast, then holds, when you apply the brakes.

Adambowker98 in reply to bobcat1947Jun 23, 2012. 7:49 PM

Ok, thanks! And I've got one more question: how did you connect the two LED strips?

bobcat1947 (author) in reply to Adambowker98Jun 24, 2012. 4:40 AM

The strips were pre-wired with color coded red +, black -.
The brake switch is a push-on; you could run either the ground or the positive through the switch with the same result, singe the ground comes from the batteries, not the bike frame. In my case, I did positive. So one side goes into the switch from the positive battery terminal and the other side allows current out, and to the light strips, when the switch is depressed.

Adambowker98 in reply to bobcat1947Jun 24, 2012. 5:14 AM

I already know how to wire them up with a switch and batteries, but what I don't know is how you used two different light strips.

bobcat1947 (author) in reply to Adambowker98Jun 24, 2012. 8:02 AM

I soldered the positive leads together (one from each light strip) and the negative leads together.

Adambowker98 in reply to bobcat1947Jun 24, 2012. 8:50 AM

Ok thanks!

pussiedoctor says: Jan 9, 2012. 6:44 AM

I found the video very interesting, I was wondering how and where the switch was positioned. Very innovative idea using the reflector bracket to mount the switch. I am going to try and make one of these at the weekend. Keep up the good work.

bobcat1947 (author) in reply to pussiedoctorJan 9, 2012. 2:14 PM

hey doc,
I'm going to take some still shots and post them, in hopes it will clarify where the bracket is on the bike, and how the switch is positioned on the bracket. . Regarding the reflector bracket, I don't think all types would do. You'll see from the still pictures just what type of bracket I used. I hope to get the pics up tonight.

djzadjza says: Nov 11, 2011. 11:57 PM

this is SO cool. i love the idea. instead of a string of LEDs do you thing i could use an LED type glowstick?

bobcat1947 (author) in reply to djzadjzaNov 12, 2011. 3:44 AM

Hey, djzadjza,
The glowsticks I've seen could probably be used, but I question whether they would be bright enough to be a real safety improvement.

djzadjza in reply to bobcat1947Nov 13, 2011. 8:34 PM

Ok. I recently found an ible that makes a glowstick out of a hot glue stick and and an led in each end. Might that work instead of the commercial kind. :-)

mr.incredible says: Nov 6, 2011. 5:45 PM

That is brilliant. You could re-design it so that the lights are dim until the brakes come on. That would give better night time visibility. You could also create turn signals.