Introduction: Light Hacking for Beginners
About: I'm a passionate tinker, which has turned into my biggest hobby. My interest ranges from fixing electronic devices to prototyping with Arduino to programming software and reaches even as far as doing workshop …
This one is to all the cyclists out there who need to ride their bicycle in the darker hours of the day.
Yesterday I got tired of buying new batteries every other week for my bicycle lamp.
It's one with a conventional light bulb, hence it literally sucks the life out of batteries.
I didn't really want to spend more money and buy myself a new LED light since I already have one. So I took matters in my own hand and decided to hack my existing light by upgrading it with three LEDs.
Yesterday I got tired of buying new batteries every other week for my bicycle lamp.
It's one with a conventional light bulb, hence it literally sucks the life out of batteries.
I didn't really want to spend more money and buy myself a new LED light since I already have one. So I took matters in my own hand and decided to hack my existing light by upgrading it with three LEDs.
Step 1: Materials Used
I hacked the light in the picture, but I believe any other model would work just as well.
The theoretical considerations are the same for all types bicycle lights.
In addition I used three white LEDs to replace the built-in bulb.
For soldering purposes you'll also need a soldering iron (basic soldering skills should suffice).
The theoretical considerations are the same for all types bicycle lights.
In addition I used three white LEDs to replace the built-in bulb.
For soldering purposes you'll also need a soldering iron (basic soldering skills should suffice).
Step 2: Under the Hood
Opening the light unveiled the battery compartment, a small PCB, a lightbulb, and the reflector/glass compartment.
In my case, dismantling was a breeze: once the battery compartment was opened, the other parts were easily accessible. Nothing was screwed or glued to the reflector.
I took everything apart, until I had all the pieces lined up. Once I could see the PCB, I started working on the LEDs.
In my case, dismantling was a breeze: once the battery compartment was opened, the other parts were easily accessible. Nothing was screwed or glued to the reflector.
I took everything apart, until I had all the pieces lined up. Once I could see the PCB, I started working on the LEDs.
Step 3: Putting Everything Together
Next I soldered the three LEDs onto the PCB (beware of the polarity).
As a final step I assembled everything back together and fired it up :-)
As a further improvement, I'm thinkimg about building an induction dynamo circuit to completely get rid of batteries ...
As a final step I assembled everything back together and fired it up :-)
As a further improvement, I'm thinkimg about building an induction dynamo circuit to completely get rid of batteries ...
