Time to break open the lights again!

[Ziggy]

A halogen system's really easy to homebuild...

Mine runs a 30/45/50w lamp, over-volted to 14.4v. With a 50w lamp in there, that gives an equivalent light output of around 90w IIRC.
Better burn time on a less bright lamp obviously, & lamp life is reduced to about 10% of the rated value (really not an issue - you still get hundreds of hours from a lamp!).

Think I'll build an LED system this season too!

 

[aljsk8]

dont get too hung up about "watts" all that means is the power used but if 90% of that is making heat then whats the point

remember led is 4 times more efficiant than overvolted halogen (12w led is the same as 50w halogen)

the number you want to look at is "lumens" although manufactures all lie anyway!!!

im also a light freek aswell as a bike freek (i have a torch that is smaller than a handle bar grip that cost 50 quid)

for pure night single track id say 600 lumens is the key figure

 

[alpinestar222]

Just to clarify, does the grip sized light put out 600 Lumen?
I would be interested in how you put that together and the power source etc.
I'm lookin at lights at the minute and always fancied making my own.
The Lumicicle ones in the alloy case look really neat, I'm sure many people will be watching this thread with great interest
7:30 now and it's looking dusky

 

[aljsk8]

na the little torch is just for bling it runs off 1aa and gives about 100 lumens here....

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... less+steel

pic is on post 18 and 25 - its the stainless steel civictor



the bike light is bigger and requires battery pack too

hears a taster - ill post more info / pics when i have time at work tomorrow

its now got the 3 leds in it and its as bright as any comercial HID system aprox 600 lumens

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/sho ... p?t=166804

this will help with any light info u need for bikes....

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/for ... esc&page=2

hope some of this helps

 

[THWANG-666]

HERES my first set 2x luxeon stars running a 700 mah off a 9.6v 2.5 amp battery pack

building some 2x seoul p4,s at the momment and a set of twins 3x p4,s that will be run at 700mah off 2 9.6v 2.7 amp batterys when the parts arrive from germany

 

[Russell]

They're both nice units. Really interested in putting my own set together. Have to get some research done.

 

[alpinestar222]

A halogen system's really easy to homebuild...

Mine runs a 30/45/50w lamp, over-volted to 14.4v. With a 50w lamp in there, that gives an equivalent light output of around 90w IIRC.
Better burn time on a less bright lamp obviously, & lamp life is reduced to about 10% of the rated value (really not an issue - you still get hundreds of hours from a lamp!).

Think I'll build an LED system this season too!

I like the sound of that
How easy is really easy?, Im ok with the mechanics side of things but Electrically I'm rubbish. I understand the basics of over-volting for a whiter light etc. Just curious how easy it would be to home build a simple reliable Halogen set up. What materials to use, are any sketches available? and suggested supliers of components.
cheers

 

[Lid]

Work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off in the North Sea.


So you doing some oil work Mate? I did a few years in the Patch (Alberta).
Got alot of stories and a few scars (and all my fingers).

 

[Stick Legs]

Work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off in the North Sea.


So you doing some oil work Mate? I did a few years in the Patch (Alberta).
Got alot of stories and a few scars (and all my fingers).

No just salvage tugs, not nearly as many digit loosing opportunities!

 

[aljsk8]

heres some info you might need for bike lights....

Halogen

advantages - cost
can be very bright (at cost of weight and runtime)
most preffer the white/yellow tint when batteries are full
very simple to make DIY unit

disadvantages - fragile
poor bulb life
generally heavy
most power goes to make heat
generally poor runtime
most hate the orange tint when batteries are dieing
most units will gradually get dimmer
if light output is dimmed by the user the tint changes (orange)


H.I.D (metal halide)

advantages - brighter for same power (4 times) therefore
better runtime

disadvantages - cost
fragile
heavy
poor bulb life
some dont like blue light
cant be user dimmed
difficult to make DIY

L.E.D (the high power emitter type eg cree / seoul emitters)

advantages - efficient as H.I.D - 4 times halogen (very bright and good runtime)
bulb life (50,000 hours)
durable (leds are rock solid)
light weight
can be user dimmed
can be made to maintain same output over battery life
fairly easy to diy

disadvantages - cost
more complex
some dont like all the different tints (blue green purple etc)

hope this helps

ill post some more info later

heres my finished light.....