Commuter Light

CC said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter light. I
will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn for another
1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ? Thanks.

It's pretty easy to build your own, and you can tailor it to your
specific needs.

My suggestion:

Use two 12 volt MR16 bulbs, and a lead-acid battery and charger. Use the
Optronics QH-7CC enclosures (around $15) but replace the MR16 lamps that
come with the fixtures with one 12V-10W narrow flood
(http://www.harringtonlights.com/Specialty_Glass/mr16_low_wattage.htm)
and one 12V-5W MR16 from "http://www.e-go.gb.com/parts.asp"

The 5W will be okay once your eyes become adjusted to the darkness.

With 15 watts of lamps, you'll need about a 45WH battery for two hours
of light (due to the way batteries are rated, you need about 1.5x what
you would expect). This works out to a 4AH 12V battery being sufficient
(48WH).

The lamps can be mounted to your handlebars with two rod rail clamp
bases (aluminum), see
"http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0013622011843a"

You'll also need some switches, a fuse, etc. Should cost you around $85
by the time you're through.

See http://bicyclelighting.com for more details.

"CC" wrote...

Quoted message said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter light. I
will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn for another
1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ? Thanks.

As I've said in quite a few posts over the last few weeks, I'm really happy
with my hub generator setup. Shimano DH-3N70 generator hub, Busch & Muller
Lumotec halogen headlight with standlight. I also use multiple battery
powered LED taillights, 2 flashing and one steady beam. Get LED taillights
that run on AA cells, not AAA. AAA cell taillights are too small to be
visible, and the batteries don't last long enough.

For more on hub generator lights, check www.peterwhitecycles.com or
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/shimano.html .
--
mark

"CC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter light. I
will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn for another
1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ? Thanks.

I run five rear LED lights, if one runs down or quits I have extras, so it
doesn't cause a problem.
I can change the batterries later.
I have three front lights, a LED headlight, handy for blink mode in
streetlight lit areas or twilight periods.
I alos mounted a old Trek Headlight and it works pretty good.
The main headlight is a Cygolite NightRover 10w unit (the ones now are 12w)
with two bulbs. The NightRover lights up the road really well. Dual bulbs in
the unit are nice as if a bulb burns out, I can still ride on the other.

Anyway I felt that my commute into work is 23 miles one way, and I didn't
want to have a light go out on me, as I ride all the way in to work before
the sun comes up now, and I need lights on before I get home in the evening
The old Trek Vision 30 headlight lasts about 1.5 hours to two hours before
it runs down. The LED headlight seems to run for 40-50 hours, in blink mode
seemgly forever. The CygoLite NightRover runs three to four hours.
The assorted led tailights seem to run forever, as I just replace batteries
in the one that dims out or quits working, but they usually run all in blink
mode so they get around 50-100 hours run time.

"Earl Bollinger" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

"CC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter
light. I will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn
for another 1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ?
Thanks.

I run five rear LED lights, if one runs down or quits I have
extras, so it doesn't cause a problem.
I can change the batterries later.
I have three front lights, a LED headlight, handy for blink mode in
streetlight lit areas or twilight periods.
I alos mounted a old Trek Headlight and it works pretty good.
The main headlight is a Cygolite NightRover 10w unit (the ones now
are 12w) with two bulbs. The NightRover lights up the road really
well. Dual bulbs in the unit are nice as if a bulb burns out, I can
still ride on the other.

Anyway I felt that my commute into work is 23 miles one way, and I
didn't want to have a light go out on me, as I ride all the way in
to work before the sun comes up now, and I need lights on before I
get home in the evening The old Trek Vision 30 headlight lasts
about 1.5 hours to two hours before it runs down. The LED headlight
seems to run for 40-50 hours, in blink mode seemgly forever. The
CygoLite NightRover runs three to four hours. The assorted led
tailights seem to run forever, as I just replace batteries in the
one that dims out or quits working, but they usually run all in
blink mode so they get around 50-100 hours run time.

Where do you attach all those lights? Got any pics of your setup, by
chance?

I was thinking of adding more blinkies to my bike, but not sure of
how/where to attach them. I'd love to see what you've (or others have)
done.

Thanks!

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Speak softly and wear a loud shirt.

"CC" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter
light. I will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn
for another 1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ?
Thanks.

I use the VistaLite NightStick 15. It has two headlights - a 5W (which I
point toward oncoming cars so they see me), and a 10W (which I point to
the ground in front of me) - does a pretty good job.

Another nice thing about this system is that you don't have the huge
battery pack - just a thin stick battery. But, the thin battery might
not last 2 full hours. After a few years of use, I'm finding my battery
has about a 1 hour lifetime, if I use both lights. You can always buy
another stick battery, though, which I plan on doing - some day.

Also very important, you should have at least one good taillight (most
seem to prefer blinky), so cars approaching you from the rear can see
you.

Good luck in your search.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

I submit that on or about 2 Oct 2005 19:53:08 -0700, the person known
to the court as "CC" <[email hidden]> made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter light. I
will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn for another
1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ? Thanks.

Sounds very much like you want a generator (dynamo), as Mark
suggested. The SON is best, but the new Nexus hub is pretty good too.
The SON can power two headlights simultaneously, I believe the Nexus
can too. Many halogen setups will not be capable of reliably running
at over 5W for 1 1/2 hours, so 2 x 3W dynamo power with the added
benefit of properly focused optics will likely give you more usable
light over that length of time than the average rechargeable halogen
system, plus you get no hassle with charging.

The only downside is that in my experience 2x3W is only good for up to
about 30mph, so if you have some real fast descents you might need to
slow down a bit or use supplementary lighting.

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

How about a dependable, ready built rechargeable ?

3 Oct 2005 18:52:06 -0700,
<[email hidden]>, "CC"

Quoted message said:

How about a dependable, ready built rechargeable ?

Its dependability depends entirely on whether it's charged.

Getting two hours out of the usual paint peelers' batteries will be an
exercise in managing with less than optimal lighting during parts of
your commute.
.. . . or pack another battery.
--
zk

I submit that on or about 3 Oct 2005 18:52:06 -0700, the person known
to the court as "CC" <[email hidden]> made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

How about a dependable, ready built rechargeable ?

I have used both. A 1 1/2 hour ride is supportable using many common
rechargeable systems, provided you use the low-power lamp. Until you
forget to charge it, or the battery starts to age, at which point
you're in trouble (unless you carry spare batteries and change halfway
- but who needs the hassle?). The generator set will always work, and
always last the hour and a half, which is why I suggested it given the
OP's stated riding time. It's a utility thing.
Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

CC said:

How about a dependable, ready built rechargeable ?

Look at
"http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17410&subcategory_ID=4320"

This would fit your needs in terms of price and illumination and it
pretty reasonably priced at $120. Running for two hours is not a
problem, as long as you don't use the 30W setting all the time.
Realistically, you shouldn't be needing the 30W much of the time, 20W is
sufficient. It's good to have the dual beams for backup, so you don't
have to be replacing lamps in the middle of a commute.

If you want to spend the big bucks, look at the Light & Motion Arc
Li-Ion Ultra Bike Light, but it's $600. For $600 you could also get a
good dynamo based system from Peter White Cycles, with a wheel that has
a dynamo. The only issue is that you're not going to be getting as much
illumination as with a rechargeable.

In article <[email hidden]>,

CC said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter light. I
will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn for another
1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ? Thanks.

bona fides: i ride 24/7/365, regardless of environmental conditions,
period.

My commute is about 8.5 miles one way, in the dark 1/4 of the one-way
trips, increasing to almost 3/4 of them in the dark in winter.

Environmentally, worst case scenarios: temps down to -20F with trip time
of 60+ mins (sneaux!), but generally no more than 40 mins, usu. 30 mins.
90% is on unlit rails to trails MUP. I've been 24/7/365 commuting for
about 10 years.

so:

My Stuff:

I use a ViewPoint helmet light, currently running with a 15W (originally
10W) narrow beam (6 or 8 degree, istr) halogen lamp on a 2X4 AA cell
NiMH battery pack AND an older Vistalight Nightstick dual battery 15
watt handlebar light with a somewhat wider (12~15 degree) beam.

My helmet light battery is kinda heavy, and i keep it in my back jersey
pocket which is a minor annoyance, the nightstick battery mounts between
my bottle cage and the frame and is less noticeably heavy.

The helmet light is good for ... an hour or two. The nightstick
batteries are good for about 45 mins each and must be charged one after
another, which is a bit of a pita in the winter, but not insurmountable.

It's really important not to over-drain NiMH's, or you run a high risk
of trashing one of the cells, resulting in _dramatically_ shortened time
between charges. That said, i have a by-geometry coping strategy set up
at work that helps me remember to charge my batteries, and my system is
rated for ~2.2x my typical ride time. I think i've had to ride w/o one
of my two lights due to dead batteries twice in the last three years.

Either type of system could be had for less than $150.

Both of my systems are several (7 for the vistalight, 4 for the helmet
light) years old and showing mechanical knocking-around wear, so i'm
likely to replace them this fall. The vistalight's batteries started
showing their age year before last.

My $02:
The handlebar light is nice, convenient and illuminates the near field
quite well, but i tend to override it with little effort.

The helmet light has a much farther throw and can see around corners, so
to speak; it can also be a useful "LOOK AT ME" adjunct for stupidhead
cagers and people backing out of driveways etc. It has the
disadvantage of blinding whomever you look at, so pedestrians tend to be
unfairly intimidated; except for signaling, i've had to train myself to
point my head a little off-axis when i'm talking to someone while it's
on.

The extreme illumination i ride with is the difference between stooging
along at 10 mph or so and blasting at 20+ with confidence and
perspicacity at 1:30 in the morning along a dark RtT MUP. It's that
bright -- i don't override my headlights, even on the road bike. I
think i've gotten my money's worth out of both systems several times
over.

Two completely independent lighting systems adds some reliabililty. I've
never ever been w/o at least one functional lighting system. This
buttresses against forgetting to recharge (infrequent) or having a lamp
fail (rare).

If you're riding on lit streets, a hub generator or lower power system
will work just as well, just don't let them put their hands in your
pants.

..max

In article <[email hidden]>,

SMS said:

CC said:

With the nights getting longer I need to invest in a commuter light. I
will be in pitch darkness for about 1 1/2 hours then dawn for another
1/2 hour about 3 times a week. Any suggestions ? Thanks.

It's pretty easy to build your own, and you can tailor it to your
specific needs.

My suggestion:

Use two 12 volt MR16 bulbs, and a lead-acid battery and charger. Use the
Optronics QH-7CC enclosures (around $15) but replace the MR16 lamps that
come with the fixtures with one 12V-10W narrow flood
(http://www.harringtonlights.com/Specialty_Glass/mr16_low_wattage.htm)
and one 12V-5W MR16 from "http://www.e-go.gb.com/parts.asp"

[...]

Quoted message said:

See http://bicyclelighting.com for more details.

One of my commuting pals built exactly that kind of system, dual beams,
wattage out the keester, blisters paint at 50'. Most excellent. Very
good stuff. The only thing is he couldn't get a beam as narrow/far
throwing as my helmet light, so it was difficult for him to build an
efffective 22+ mph lamp, but it's El Bombo for modestly lower speeds.

He got his MR16's from a generic big box home improvement store, and
epoxied them straight to some PVC pipe. (Most of the lamp is outside the
pipe, which is 2/3 the max. diameter of the reflector) Caution to
builders: make sure you get the right voltage -- do you want 6 or 12
volts? (surely not 120!)

Considering what he paid for the parts, his light's performance/$ is
more than 10x my system's.

..max

Just zis Guy said:

I submit that on or about 3 Oct 2005 18:52:06 -0700, the person known
to the court as "CC" <[email hidden]> made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

How about a dependable, ready built rechargeable ?

I have used both. A 1 1/2 hour ride is supportable using many common
rechargeable systems, provided you use the low-power lamp. Until you
forget to charge it, or the battery starts to age, at which point
you're in trouble (unless you carry spare batteries and change halfway
- but who needs the hassle?). The generator set will always work, and
always last the hour and a half, which is why I suggested it given the
OP's stated riding time. It's a utility thing.
Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

Quoted message said:

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

And depending upon where you are, batteries are very adversely affected
by cold. If you're riding in cold weather this article from Ice Bike
may be useful.http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/lights.htm.

I've always used rechargables but at -20C battery life is drastically
reduced and I am giving serious thought to a generator.

John Kane

Just zis Guy said:

I submit that on or about 3 Oct 2005 18:52:06 -0700, the person known
to the court as "CC" <[email hidden]> made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your
Honour's bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

How about a dependable, ready built rechargeable ?

I have used both. A 1 1/2 hour ride is supportable using many common
rechargeable systems, provided you use the low-power lamp. Until you
forget to charge it, or the battery starts to age, at which point
you're in trouble (unless you carry spare batteries and change halfway
- but who needs the hassle?). The generator set will always work, and
always last the hour and a half, which is why I suggested it given the
OP's stated riding time. It's a utility thing.

I just ordered the Shimano DH-3N71 and a couple Lumotec lamps. I've
gone through a couple different rechargables and decided I needed a
practical light. Even though my lights had a theoretical 3 hour
run-time on the low setting, I was always pushing the limit of time
with them. Especially in the winter when I might decide to take the
long way home around the lake which might push the total time I needed
lights to 3 1/2 - 4 hours.

--
Dane Buson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."
-Dan Quayle

max said:

He got his MR16's from a generic big box home improvement store,

It's sometimes hard to find the narrow beam MR series lamps, though they
do exist. Not from Home Depot or Lowes though.

Quoted message said:

and
epoxied them straight to some PVC pipe. (Most of the lamp is outside the
pipe, which is 2/3 the max. diameter of the reflector) Caution to
builders: make sure you get the right voltage -- do you want 6 or 12
volts? (surely not 120!)

Argh, I really don't like the PVC method of homebrewing, though I
understand that it's popular. You really want a metal enclosure where
it's easy to swap the lamp, and where you get better heat dissipation.

Quoted message said:

Considering what he paid for the parts, his light's performance/$ is
more than 10x my system's.

Commercial high performance bicycle lights seem to be expensive, though
having been in that business, I can tell you that the margins suck. I
did it for fun, on a small scale, because at the time there was very
little else available to buy.