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This is an insanely bright lamp that, (excepting the battery), costs one English Pound and takes about an hour to make.
It can be used like the high beam when the main led light needs an extra boost.
But the fun is using it at night as a silent photon bell ...
On cycle paths just dab the switch at people with their back to you by the time the they look around the light will have faded and you can politely wave as they step aside.
( The photograph next to the main picture shows high beam that has been on my bike for about three years; I'm now making one for my other bike. )
It can be used like the high beam when the main led light needs an extra boost.
But the fun is using it at night as a silent photon bell ...
On cycle paths just dab the switch at people with their back to you by the time the they look around the light will have faded and you can politely wave as they step aside.
( The photograph next to the main picture shows high beam that has been on my bike for about three years; I'm now making one for my other bike. )
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Signing UpStep 1Paprika and parts.
You will need a container for your bulb.
Anything with a round opening makes things easy; I used a smoked paprika tin.
The bulb is a 12 volt, 50w halogen; I got two for a pound from the market.
A bracket of some sort is needed; the one I used is off an old rack but anything that makes a long "u" shape will do. In fact, the tin could be attached on one side only, although I have not tried this.
A strong battery ; I used an old drill battery. It is rated at 18volts . . .If I knew anything about electronics I would have hesitated to use it on a 12 volt bulb but it seems to work very well.
I must stress that I have only used this light for 30 second bursts, that's why it has a push and hold switch.
It may be fine to use it longer but maybe it will get too hot and burn out; I don't know but used as I say, just for a high beam when needed, it has lasted me years ( the first one that I made, that is).
So . . .
container, bulb, bracket, long bolt and nut , washers/spacers, wire, four self tapping screws, bit of inner tube, small length of pipe, drill battery.
Anything with a round opening makes things easy; I used a smoked paprika tin.
The bulb is a 12 volt, 50w halogen; I got two for a pound from the market.
A bracket of some sort is needed; the one I used is off an old rack but anything that makes a long "u" shape will do. In fact, the tin could be attached on one side only, although I have not tried this.
A strong battery ; I used an old drill battery. It is rated at 18volts . . .If I knew anything about electronics I would have hesitated to use it on a 12 volt bulb but it seems to work very well.
I must stress that I have only used this light for 30 second bursts, that's why it has a push and hold switch.
It may be fine to use it longer but maybe it will get too hot and burn out; I don't know but used as I say, just for a high beam when needed, it has lasted me years ( the first one that I made, that is).
So . . .
container, bulb, bracket, long bolt and nut , washers/spacers, wire, four self tapping screws, bit of inner tube, small length of pipe, drill battery.
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The basic info about the battery is in step 1; all I can add is that it is from a very, very cheap Einhill rechargeable drill. (see photos)
It is 18 volt but I guess that a 14v or 12 v will do .. . um .. . it's not lithium or anything special ( which would be better ) . . . .I mean , I think you could even make your own pack from 10 rechargeable AA batteries. ( these are £1 a pair at my local Poundland shop . . . I don't actually know anything about electronics . . . I just keep it simple and see if it works.
As I have stated elsewhere, I only use this for limited amounts of time; you may get away with using it for longer you may not: Let me know.
You could just get something like this and use rechargeable battery:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/1-million-candle-power-rechargeable-spotlight
It's only £12.
Good luck with the filming.
FOH
Cheers!!
Thanks for the comments.
As I have replied to Jackh94
I must stress that I have never used it for more than 30 seconds at a time; it is just for an extra bit of help; that's why it's only a push and hold switch. ( I will add this sentiment to the Instructable).
Maybe it's fine for longer periods but maybe it gets too hot and burns out . . . .I don't know; let me know if you try it for longer.
. . . but it is useful especially when I just need to see just that bit further ahead or for letting car drivers know that they have forgotten to dip their headlights.
I was wondering how you've made this work? or am I asking a silly question?
I've just checked and it's a 12v 50 watt Halogen bulb; the type that people use for spotlights in their houses.
I did use an 18 volt drill battery . . . If I knew anything about electronics I probably wouldn't have but it has lasted.
I got mine off a junk stall but I think IKEA might be a cheap place to try.
If I would only have had a 240v 50 watt bulb at the time I would have tried that also . . . maybe it will work ?
I must stress that I have never used it for more than 30 seconds at a time; it is just for an extra bit of help; that's why it's only a push and hold switch.
Maybe it's fine for longer periods but maybe it gets too hot and burns out . . . .I don't know; let me know if you try it longer.
Good luck.