CCFL Bike Wheels! (Now with video!)

Just a word of caution, this instructable involves modifying CCFL's, which run on very high voltages. This can be dangerous, so you should definitely take care when you're doing this, you could easily zap yourself pretty bad.

Way back in the day, when I made my first instructable I decided I really liked the idea of wheel lights. The contest I entered had the monkeyelectric wheel lights as the grand prize, but sadly, I didn't win.

When I saw there was a new contest going for ways to "Light up your ride," I knew I had to enter! I went to my stuff drawers, rummaged around, and came up with this. It was a very simple build, from concept to completed in about 2 1/2 hours, and I think the final result looks quite nice. It's not the monkeyelectric lights, but it's still pretty cool!

****EDIT: Per g-ram's request, I've added the video below. Apologies for the low quality, my camera is not very good for night or low-light video. This should at least give some indication of how it looks in real life.

***UPDATE 5/3/10: If you decide to make a wheel light like this, post some pictures and I'll send you a patch!***

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Step 1: Stuff!

I have a couple of old dressers full of things that I've horded, dismantled, broken, fixed, saved, and created. My stuff drawers. So, I was lucky enough to have all of these materials on hand. I'm guessing if you had to go to radioshack or the internets and buy everything here, you'd probably be looking at around $20-35.

Here's a list of the essentials:

1 CCFL computer case light with driver board
2 4-AA battery holders
1 Switch
Lots of zip ties
Hot Glue (Of course!)
Epoxy
Electrical tape

kewrw28 says: Oct 23, 2012. 5:41 PM

Way to go. It looks first class. No Doubt! Keep up the fine work.

depotdevoid (author) in reply to kewrw28Oct 23, 2012. 9:05 PM

Thanks!

LinuxH4x0r says: Nov 22, 2008. 6:03 AM

Very nice! Good luck in the contest

depotdevoid (author) in reply to LinuxH4x0rNov 22, 2008. 9:53 PM

Thanks!

user508 in reply to depotdevoidJan 11, 2009. 1:12 AM

why not use more than one and talk about shutter exposure time

depotdevoid (author) in reply to user508Jan 11, 2009. 1:57 AM

As to why not use more than one, I wasn't sure how long the AA's would last even with just one tube attached. The driver for the CCFL has 2 plugs, you could very easily attach a second tube, but I don't want to be burning through batteries that quickly. What do you mean about shutter exposure time?

sperlick in reply to depotdevoidMar 7, 2012. 4:33 AM

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-great-long-exposure-photos/

this link is abought exposure type it in the address bar

pratyushpmhptr says: Jul 24, 2011. 11:46 PM

(removed by author or community request)

depotdevoid (author) in reply to pratyushpmhptrJul 25, 2011. 12:38 AM

I dunno, I hadn't heard of that until just now.

abadfart in reply to depotdevoidAug 5, 2011. 8:26 PM

they are used in guitar peddles and some old cars i'd check with your local music store or electronic parts shop

blakiki says: Oct 15, 2010. 2:00 AM

you mentioned 12v doorbell batteries, I can't seem to find what you're referring to, link please?

depotdevoid (author) in reply to blakikiOct 15, 2010. 7:40 AM

Here you go!

blakiki in reply to depotdevoidOct 16, 2010. 10:07 AM

You sir, are excellent!

depotdevoid (author) in reply to blakikiOct 16, 2010. 11:37 AM

It's good to finally be recognized for my greatness.

reusesave says: May 23, 2009. 11:12 PM

I made a battery powered LED light that i found and it works and hopefully i can use it on my bike

Gamer917 says: Mar 7, 2009. 7:29 PM

i have an old laptop screen backlight that i will use as a bike light

depotdevoid (author) in reply to Gamer917Mar 7, 2009. 11:35 PM

Good call! Post a picture of the results!

Gamer917 in reply to depotdevoidMar 24, 2009. 7:56 PM

im probably not gonna make it until the summer

depotdevoid (author) in reply to Gamer917Mar 24, 2009. 9:30 PM

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I made a pair for my brother for christmas, but he says the weather has been so awful he hasn't been able to use them yet.

webcompanion says: Nov 27, 2008. 11:54 AM

Yeah, I've done a similar project with a battery pack in the spokes and was worried how it would feel. Turns out no effect really at all. I used LED lights but this neon job looks pretty trick too... maybe I'll try it! Here are some pics and vids of my rig http://www.flickr.com/photos/webcompanion/sets/72157609086688582/

depotdevoid (author) in reply to webcompanionNov 29, 2008. 12:48 AM

I love the LED's! Those are my usual light of choice, I just happened to have a few of these CCFL's lying around. Thanks for the pictures, your bike looks awesome!

vorin says: Nov 22, 2008. 9:12 PM

i have an old green ccfl that has been asking for a job, and this might be it.. great documentation

depotdevoid (author) in reply to vorinNov 22, 2008. 9:48 PM

Great, I'm glad you liked it! Post a picture if you end up making one yourself!

g-ram says: Nov 22, 2008. 8:32 PM

is it possible we could see a video of this in action?

depotdevoid (author) in reply to g-ramNov 22, 2008. 9:47 PM

g-ram, I've added a short (about 35 seconds) video to the intro step. Sorry about the quality, it was the best I could do.

depotdevoid (author) in reply to g-ramNov 22, 2008. 8:35 PM

Yeah, I think I could arrange that. I'll leave another comment when I have.

Zorink says: Nov 22, 2008. 6:43 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD5jR_309Ik

depotdevoid (author) in reply to ZorinkNov 22, 2008. 6:57 PM

Hahhahhahaaahhhah!!!!! Oh, that is AWESOME! It's been a million years since I've seen Tron. I remember playing light cycle race on commodore 64. Man, I am old.

Zorink in reply to depotdevoidNov 22, 2008. 7:17 PM

I'll be waiting for the lightcycle instructable