Lightrider DIY Bike Light

Made a DIY version of the revolights http://www.revolights.com

total cost for one wheel is about 35 dollar

instead of a microcontroller i use simple reed magnet switches

the two outer rings consist of 18 Led's in 6 groups each all is powered by two AA batteries they are located on the hub

the only thing i don't have because i use the reed switches is the cool animation like revolights when the wheel stands still

Lightrider from Fabian.E on Vimeo.

Materials:

36x High Power 8mm Led's (18 on each side)
2x two meter long Aluminum stripes 15mm wide (in my case shortened to 1,75 meter)
6x Reed magnet Switch
2x 2meter 7 pin flat ribbon cable (one for each side)
2x 7 pin mini plugs (for easy installation)
Zip ties to mount the whole thing on the wheel

Soldering iron
Hot glue gun
Drill

Comments

[cepi85]

cool video!!!!

[Diyler]

Thanks :)

[Adambowker98]

Could you give some more instructions? This is super cool but I can't really tell how you made it.

[Diyler]

hey sorry for the late reply, right now i´m building a lightrider Version 2.0

it will be ready in a bout a month or so, then i post a new instructable which should be much simpler to build

[Mr. Gadgets13]

I think it's a great idea to use reed switches!

[Diyler]

hey thanks. yeah it´s simple and cheap thats why i´m use them.

[haemophilic]

Hi, Good job you have here. I wonder whats the outcome of your smd led strips version? Hope to hear from you soon.

[Diyler]

hey sorry for the late reply, the led strip version is doing well, i hope in about a month it´s done.

right now i have the aluminum rings done and the led strips are glued to them, next step is soldering and searching for a compact 12 volt battery.

[wobbler]

You have complicated the circuit diagram slightly. It's not necessary to show the wires from the reed switches rotating around to the LED groups. e.g. the white connection from the reed switch could go straight to the LEDs with the yellow LEDs. It's not actually necessary to offset the wiring with respect to the reed switch in reality, you can just position the magnet to a different angle relative to the hub and the LED lighting point should consequently move also.

I presume as you don't have an on-off switch that you leave the bike with the magnet in a dead zone to stop the batteries wearing down when you're not riding it?

[Roshy10]

You are right, the circuit diagram is overly complicated, but it shows how it is laid out in real life, which is helpful when trying to build this yourself

[Diyler]

yeah you are right it´s a little bit difficult but it´s only a prototype

the on off switch is on the battery case look close

right now i´m into building a much simpler version with smd led strips so it´s less soldering and simpler to install

and a really detailed instructable so anyone can build it

[wobbler]

No problem- Instructibles is all about prototypes and how they develop!

I would show the on-off switch in the circuit diagram also. Regarding SMD leds, you can find these cheaply in poundshop (or your equivalent) bike lights. You just have to use a sharp knife to cut though the chip connections and then wire straight to the LEDs.

Look forward to seeing your new improved mk2 version.

[Diyler]

hey sorry for the late reply i´m not going to use sms leds alone. I will use led strips http://led-sa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20090917211852.jpg

[jim_2000]

I love it! I always thought the animation the revolights plays at stops would get annoying to drivers and cyclists.

[Dranem]

Sie können über "http://www.instructables.com/id/Magnetic-Induction-Bike-Lights/", ein licht mit kein batterie sehen. Achtung! der rote led sind mit 1.7-2 V versorgt.

You can seen on http://www.instructables.com/id/Magnetic-Induction-Bike-Lights/, a light without baterie. Be carefull! Red LED are fed with 1.7-2V.

En tout cas, beau travail......

P.S. :
Here the way i use on my bike (in french, but lots of pics):
http://cyclurba.fr/velo/78/frein-dynamo-accu-led-velo-eclairage-energie-freinage-recuperer.html

[lio34]

Hy !
Some news about your much simpler version with smd led strips ?

[Diyler]

i have so much to do right now but i think it will be done in about a month or so the aluminium rings are ready right now so its just a matter of days or weeks i think i will do theme in the christmas holidays

[Chefke]

Any idea when the detailed instructable will be ready? This is truly awesome!

[Diyler]

i have so much to do right now but i think it will be done in about a month or so the aluminium rings are ready right now so its just a matter of days or weeks i think i will do theme in the christmas holidays

[tryrey]

Could you post a close up how you install the stripes in to the wheel, please?

[Diyler]

i just used zip ties to mount the aluminium rings to the bikespokes

[Roshy10]

I would Just like to point out you have not used any resistor so you LED's will not last as long as the normaly would

[Diyler]

i don't need a resistor because i'm using 3,2 Volt LED's and two AA batteries each 1,5 Volt so there is no problem

[hsnopek]

Hi,

I plan to make your project exactly the same as you made it only using 3,7V (4,2) 14500 AA Li-Ion Battery instead of 2 x AA (1,5V).

Is it okay to use 8mm Led's or do I have to make some modifications?

Thank you!

[Diyler]

just be shure you dont burn the led's when you use to much voltage most led's are rated at 3,2 volt

and you can use any 8mm led's to the size doesn't matter

[Athul Jayaram]

Can you please explain the 3rd picture(The reed magnet switch connection part)?

[Athul Jayaram]

And what should be the size of the reed switches!whenowl head

[Diyler]

The Reed switches in this instructable are rated 230volt 6Ampere and are about 3cm long

next time i use this one http://www.pollin.de/shop/dt/ODU3OTE0OTk-/Haustechnik/Sicherheitstechnik/Alarmgeber/Reedkontakt_HAMLIN_59050_010.html
cause its plastic and not real glass

but you can use anyone that you like

[вшашкин]

It's very cool

[Diyler]

Thanks

[breumer]

dude that's cool!

[Diyler]

Thanks

[Vergeltung]

Hallo, gibt es eigentlich auch so eine coole Seite auf deutsch? Ich verstehe die Sachen zwar, es wäre für mich aber weniger anstrengend.

Vergeltung(Warum dieser Name?)

[Diyler]

Ja ich glaub ich hab mal eine seite gefunden weiß aber nicht mehr wie die heißt aber im grunde genau das selbe wie hier und mit den anleitungen auf deutsch übersetzt

[siklosi]

It would look better if you made it so that LED's are lit only in one position so that it looks like wheel is not moving :)

[Orngrimm]

Would be difficult due to the "low resolution" the few reed-switches provide.
If you want such an effect, you can adapt the idea presented here and go with one reed-switch for each led.
Good luck with wiring! ;)

[jwestenberg]

I am so gonna make this!

[Shalendar]

Could you post a close up picture of how the magnet is mounted?

[Diyler]

its just a metal strip mounted to the fork

it has to be a real strong magnet mine holds about 1,5 kg

[codyrt9120]

I like the instructable, very easy to understand with the wiring diagram.

Have you done any weather-proofing? I'm assuming that as is, it would be great for dry weather but water and other elements would cause damage.