USB Powered LED Bicycle Light V2.0 - BigGun
Intro: USB Powered LED Bicycle Light V2.0 - BigGun
Hello,
In my previous Instructable, I built a USB powered LED bicycle light, that worked very well, But for some reason (maybe because i bike at high speeds), there seems to be a visibility issue, as the cars and other bikers didn't see me passing, and i always had to stop suddenly , sometimes in a dangerous way.
So, I decided to build a version 2.0 of this project, boosting the LED lights count from 10 to 120 LEDs!!
As always, this is MY idea of execution, and if you have any feedback, it is highly appreciated!
STEP 1: Materials and Tools
STEP 2: Dismantle the Torch
Extract the LED slabs from the torch, cut them into shape and rewire them to have easy access to the cables.
Super glue the acrylic cover onto the assembly to prevent rain water from entering it.
STEP 3: Rewire the LED Front Light
Extract 2 output power cable from the LED frontal light, by removing an existing LED from it, so we can connect them to the XXL Light we are building.
STEP 4: Create the Box
Measure and cut the wood to fit and drill holes for the wires.
Assemble the box and tape the LED assemblies onto the box using double-sided mounting tape.
Solder the wires and isolate with Duct tape.
Isolate the whole box with a Silicone sealant.
STEP 5: Assemble and Test
Connect the power cable together and test the system before mounting.
STEP 6: Mount!
Drill 4 holes on the sides of the box and Strap it onto your bicycle.
Test again and show it off!
19 Comments
LombardILlocksmith 8 years ago
nice job
MaurizioF1 8 years ago
Hey Man i have installed a motorcycle headlight for my beachcruiser, but im stuck on what bettery to put on to run it..i have a 16 mile bikeride at night from work..any ideas???
Chris__W 8 years ago
Hi Maurizo, I made a bike mounted battery/headlight holder for a 12v LED spotlight and had the same problem. I've been using a lot of 12v NiHM batteries for radio controlled vehicles, which I get from Vapextech here in the UK. They are great for driving bike mounted LED strips and sound systems. For this though I got hold of 2 battery holders for 10 AA cells, and filled them with (1.2v) NiMH AA cells. I connected these in parallel for extra battery life: the rig has about 40 Watt/hours in it. I also stuck on a 12v power take off, a 5v USB take-off (using a 12v car -> USB plug) and a car horn circuit. Vapextech do a good minature charger also, and I use one or two to charge the batteries - usually via the power take off socket, but sometimes I equalise the charge by taking the battery packs out and charging them individually. Nearly all the kit I've used I get retail from Maplin. I'm not sure if there's an equivalent outside the UK.
Kreat0r 8 years ago
MaurizioF1 8 years ago
Color: Black with Clear Lens
Light Color: White
Material: High Quality ABS Plastic with Black Finish
Bulb Type: B-35 Bulb (12V 35/35W) with BA20D Base
Condition: 100% Brand New.....i just copied this from kaspco..but this is one of the specs for it..i figure you dont need the whole thing from website
...what do you think?
Kreat0r 8 years ago
MaurizioF1 8 years ago
Kreat0r 8 years ago
A 12V motorcycle battery would be ok to power your light too.
I mentionned a laptop battery because it s also a rechargeable battery but it is much smaller and lighter than the motorcycle one to put on your bicycle.
MaurizioF1 8 years ago
Kreat0r 8 years ago
I see 6 cable inputs here, but maybe 4 cables coming to it?
if so, this means you have 2 lamps inside that assembly, 2 lamps use 02 cables each (01 positive and 01 negative).
you 'll need a multimater to determine which cable goes where, and their polarity.
To figure out the polarity, take the lamps out and use the special short circuit function on the multimeter (the one that makes it beep when you touch the 2 multimeter cables together) to find out which cable connects to the center of each lamp: that's the positive cable..
because it s a DC system.wire them incorrectly and you risk blowing the lamps off..
once you got that figured out, follow the diagram in the photo i uploaded:
wire the 2 negaitve cables together and connect them to your battery, and the 2 positive cable together then into the on/off switch ( any off switch works..)then from the on/off swtich to your battery..done!
MaurizioF1 8 years ago
OK ..So i bought a triple Switch....meaning one up, then middle for off i guess and down..So yes you are correct , the lights are both High and Low beam..Now before I move on; ..I was just thinking before I buy either battery I been thinking to buy a
SECOND STAGE MID DRIVE KIT DUAL-MOTOR 48V 900W BRUSHED MOTOR From GNG electric..now if you look at this http://www.gngebike.com/900wbrushed.htm
its supposed to be pretty easy to install but do I need battery for this?..and if so would you reccomend something where i can hook all my stuff into ..or am i going to have to get two different ones..if so..i guess i will look into the computer battery..then another one for..this mid drive..hope you can help..!..just so you know..you been alot of help so far..cant wait to get bike going!..until my next project once i can figured this one out!!
Happy New Years!!!
Kreat0r 8 years ago
you can power up your light system with that battery too by pulling an output from it and hooking it up to a voltage limiter Diode i think is called a Zener diode..it should work.
happy new years to you too and good luck with your project.
Yonatan24 8 years ago
Why did you use 4 flashlights? You could have built it at 1/10th of the price if you bought regular LED's (Though there would be more soldering work)
How many watts is everything altogether? You might want to try making another one with these 10W LED's (@12V)
Kreat0r 8 years ago
but i saw these 4 flashlights each for 6$..:).and i needed to build this Asap because i bike 30km to work in the dark everyday and i was getting worried about my safety because nobody sees me passing. anyways i think i paid a little bit (around 10$)more than if i took the led+board option because i was low on soldering wires and had to buy that too .
the watts i dont know exaclty .in total there are 120 leds but the battery pack is 6000mAh.it s handling it easily.
Yonatan24 8 years ago
I saw each one for $22 on the link you gave, Safetey first!
Kreat0r 8 years ago
Kreat0r 8 years ago
on amazon it s the cheapest one i found.
i put the links primarily to show the models and specifications . (to be clear , it s not me who is selling theses items on amazon).
Trener 8 years ago
Cool light. I could use my electric bike.
Kreat0r 8 years ago