More lights -- Electronics help/ideas

I've been thinking about better lighting (for my visibility) for these dark evenings, and with the recent talk of lights I thought I would present a slightly crazy idea.

I saw these strip lights for not a lot of money.  The strips are waterproof and cuttable in 3 LED sections.  I thought about placing short strips on the main triangle and fork, and mounting a batter somewhere.  I would undervolt because 12V is a lot for a small battery pack, and I don't want them super bright.  You can pick up a rechargeable 1600mAh Li-Ion battery pack for ~$20 and it should keep the lights running for a couple hours.   

It would take some soldering, some wire & shrink wrap, and a few hours to put together I think.  Making a waterproof battery pack would be the trickiest I think.

So, is this totally insane?

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Permalink Reply by Ken Gray on November 19, 2010 at 1:35pm
I like that idea too. I'd like to decorate a bike, for visibility and just to look neat. Where did you see these lights? Are they commonly found?
Permalink Reply by Joel on November 19, 2010 at 1:37pm
Maybe the link in the post wasn't obvious: http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&prod...

I first saw them on Amazon.com, and went and looked at the seller's webpage. $14 isn't too much, so it won't be terrible if it is a flop. I doubt it would be stylish, but my bike already looks well worn with mismatched parts.



Ken Gray said:
I like that idea too. I'd like to decorate a bike, for visibility and just to look neat. Where did you see these lights? Are they commonly found?
Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on November 21, 2010 at 2:58am
I use these and they are bright as hell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjEv1gGCsJc
Permalink Reply by Todd Allen on November 21, 2010 at 5:50am
As for the trickiest, I made a nice waterproof battery pack for my bike's custom lighting. I started with a plastic 16 oz jar of Trader Joe's crunchy unsalted peanut butter. Smooth & salted will work too though. I like these jars because they are tough, clear, light, fit in most water bottle holders and most importantly the mouth is as wide as the jar.

1. Eat peanut butter.
2. Wash jar.
3. Heat a nail over the stove and melt hole through side of jar for wires.
4. Put wires through hole and solder connectors on each end.
5. Seal hole around wires with silicone or other caulk or glue.
6. Wrap batteries in bubble wrap or foam and insert in jar.
Permalink Reply by Davo on November 22, 2010 at 5:48am
http://www.oznium.com/

I Have used these for temporary lights on my bike. They have a switch that is sound activated as well. This is fun on the Critical Mass rides
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on November 22, 2010 at 6:58am
Todd,

You forgot the last part of those instructions!
  • Paint jar black
  • Put Skull and Crossbones sticker on black jar
  • ...HUGE profits
Permalink Reply by XV on November 22, 2010 at 8:20am
Joel,
I have the same project on the back-burner. You can't under-volt them because they won't turn on under 12v, to dim/save power it you'll have to use PWM.
Permalink Reply by Ash L. on November 22, 2010 at 10:52am
These are currently out of stock but their last output was widely popular so I'm sure the new version is forthcoming. I've got them on my holiday wishlist for sure: http://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow
Permalink Reply by John on November 22, 2010 at 11:29am
The 6V strings of battery operated Christmas lights work well, and are very inexpensive. You can wire them parallel to a single battery pack or use a dynamo. Here is an extreme example, but any driver who claims they didn't see you has no defense.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37481616@N00/3090269080/in/set-7215761...
Permalink Reply by Jason W on November 23, 2010 at 8:51am
I got these on sale when they were 20 for $20.

http://www.meritline.com/tire-light-blue---p-42332.aspx

I think they work great, couldn't be easier to install, and are cheap enough I don't care if they are stolen. You might be able to find them on sale somewhere else.
Permalink Reply by XV on November 29, 2010 at 9:05am

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