bike light bulbs

ok l made my MKI bike lights a couple of months back. $50 all up(including
$12 for the rear light), they work great, lasts better than 3 hours on a
charge with one 20W light on. So thanks again to hippy and friends for there
great pages.

I have been looking around to solve some problems for these silly people
that do things like 24 hour races. Have a couple of ideas in the works for
some really cheap battery packs. but to my questions. I was looking at down
lights in brunnings and there are now 3 sizes 50mm 34mm and a new even
smaller one (about 20mm I guess). They are 10w, but dont have front glass.
has anyone tried these yet??? or has anyone seen these with front glass?? if
so could you tell me where.
thanks
stu

"stu" wrote in message
u...
ok l made my MKI bike lights a couple of months back. $50 all up(including
$12 for the rear light), they work great, lasts better than 3 hours on a
charge with one 20W light on. So thanks again to hippy and friends for
there
great pages.

I have been looking around to solve some problems for these silly people
that do things like 24 hour races. Have a couple of ideas in the works for
some really cheap battery packs. but to my questions. I was looking at
down
lights in brunnings and there are now 3 sizes 50mm 34mm and a new even
smaller one (about 20mm I guess). They are 10w, but dont have front glass.
has anyone tried these yet??? or has anyone seen these with front glass??
if
so could you tell me where.
thanks
stu

Stu,

If you go to a lighting store, you should be able to get the smaller bulbs
(34mm) in 20W with the front glass for less than $10.....These are MR11
bulbs as opposed to the 'standard' size MR16. I used one in my latest
lights http://members.ozemail.com.au/~drgagnon/lights_5.htm and I am going
to use them on the next ones too.

I saw some of the small ones in the garden lights section of Bunnings the
other day too....I think that they are MR8 lights and the ones that I saw
were also 10W and came in blue, green, yellow, and red I think. I was
thinking that they might be good for a laugh mounted on the side of a helmet
but they would prob not be too good for actual serious use as they were wide
beamed (38 degree i think) and have a small (inefficient) reflector. You
would also need to have some sort of cover to protect from elements.

How did you mount your lights?? photos?? When I was in Bunnings the other
day I also picked up some of the black platic hose clamps for the irrigation
piping that are a simple sqeeze together to join (sorta zig-zag bits that
interlock). I got a couple of 25mm and a couple of 19mm (i think they were
the sizes) and I am going to look at using them in place of metal hose
clamps with the large one around the bars and the small one around the globe
(with a couple of layers of rubber to help it grip and provide
cushioning....I now use three little rings of inner-tube from road tubes
700c x 23).

Anyway, welcome to the homebrew light club....I still reckon you can't beat
the experience of fast singletrack on a pitch black night.

Gags

If you go to a lighting store, you should be able to get the smaller bulbs
(34mm) in 20W with the front glass for less than $10.....These are MR11
bulbs as opposed to the 'standard' size MR16. I used one in my latest
lights http://members.ozemail.com.au/~drgagnon/lights_5.htm and I am going
to use them on the next ones too.

I picked up one of the 10W 34mm bulbs today. Tried it out tonight looks
pretty good. Should have just coughed up the extra $10odd for the smallest
one so I could compear them. oh well maybe tomorrow.

saw some of the small ones in the garden lights section of Bunnings the
other day too....I think that they are MR8 lights and the ones that I saw
were also 10W and came in blue, green, yellow, and red I think. I was
thinking that they might be good for a laugh mounted on the side of a
helmet
but they would prob not be too good for actual serious use as they were
wide
beamed (38 degree i think) and have a small (inefficient) reflector. You
would also need to have some sort of cover to protect from elements.

The ones I saw were white(which makes sence coz they didnt have front
glass). I was thinking about using one for a helment light. I am a little
worried just how hot they will run once I put a glass front on them.

How did you mount your lights?? photos?? When I was in Bunnings the
other
day I also picked up some of the black platic hose clamps for the
irrigation
piping that are a simple sqeeze together to join (sorta zig-zag bits that
interlock). I got a couple of 25mm and a couple of 19mm (i think they
were
the sizes) and I am going to look at using them in place of metal hose
clamps with the large one around the bars and the small one around the
globe
(with a couple of layers of rubber to help it grip and provide
cushioning....I now use three little rings of inner-tube from road tubes
700c x 23).

no pics as yet sorry. weight weenies stop reading now
I have a 7Ah SLA($21 and 2.5kgs) battery fixed with hose clamps to the top
tube.(l have a nice heavy cromo frame) the swtichies are on the side of the
battery which isnt the best place for them(but it sure was the easiest). I
dont need to switch beams very often. Two 20W 50mm (about $7.50 each, a
38degree and a 9 degree) bulbs mounted to the bars with the same clips as
you just found(these are great coz you can get the light on in about 30secs
and off in less), and just normal hose clamps around the bulb with inner
tube. Add two fuse holders at $.45 each, the rest I had.
This gives me more then 3 hours with 20W all the time, 40W some of the time.
You couldn't beat this for less $500 if then.
will try and get some pics
Anyway, welcome to the homebrew light club....I still reckon you can't
beat
the experience of fast singletrack on a pitch black night.

yer great fun, and so much cooler at night. No need for sunblock either,
unless you happen to be riding in front of me

Gags

"stu" wrote in message . au...
If you go to a lighting store, you should be able to get the smaller bulbs
(34mm) in 20W with the front glass for less than $10.....These are MR11
bulbs as opposed to the 'standard' size MR16. I used one in my latest
lights http://members.ozemail.com.au/~drgagnon/lights_5.htm and I am going
to use them on the next ones too.

I picked up one of the 10W 34mm bulbs today. Tried it out tonight looks
pretty good. Should have just coughed up the extra $10odd for the smallest
one so I could compear them. oh well maybe tomorrow.

saw some of the small ones in the garden lights section of Bunnings the
other day too....I think that they are MR8 lights and the ones that I saw
were also 10W and came in blue, green, yellow, and red I think. I was
thinking that they might be good for a laugh mounted on the side of a
helmet
but they would prob not be too good for actual serious use as they were
wide
beamed (38 degree i think) and have a small (inefficient) reflector. You
would also need to have some sort of cover to protect from elements.

The ones I saw were white(which makes sence coz they didnt have front
glass). I was thinking about using one for a helment light. I am a little
worried just how hot they will run once I put a glass front on them.

How did you mount your lights?? photos?? When I was in Bunnings the
other
day I also picked up some of the black platic hose clamps for the
irrigation
piping that are a simple sqeeze together to join (sorta zig-zag bits that
interlock). I got a couple of 25mm and a couple of 19mm (i think they
were
the sizes) and I am going to look at using them in place of metal hose
clamps with the large one around the bars and the small one around the
globe
(with a couple of layers of rubber to help it grip and provide
cushioning....I now use three little rings of inner-tube from road tubes
700c x 23).

no pics as yet sorry. weight weenies stop reading now
I have a 7Ah SLA($21 and 2.5kgs) battery fixed with hose clamps to the top
tube.(l have a nice heavy cromo frame) the swtichies are on the side of the
battery which isnt the best place for them(but it sure was the easiest). I
dont need to switch beams very often. Two 20W 50mm (about $7.50 each, a
38degree and a 9 degree) bulbs mounted to the bars with the same clips as
you just found(these are great coz you can get the light on in about 30secs
and off in less), and just normal hose clamps around the bulb with inner
tube. Add two fuse holders at $.45 each, the rest I had.
This gives me more then 3 hours with 20W all the time, 40W some of the time.
You couldn't beat this for less $500 if then.
will try and get some pics
Anyway, welcome to the homebrew light club....I still reckon you can't
beat
the experience of fast singletrack on a pitch black night.

yer great fun, and so much cooler at night. No need for sunblock either,
unless you happen to be riding in front of me

Gags



Have a look at my lights.
http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/lights/martys_lights.htm

Marty

"Marty" wrote in message
om...
"stu" wrote in message
. au...
If you go to a lighting store, you should be able to get the smaller
bulbs
(34mm) in 20W with the front glass for less than $10.....These are
MR11
bulbs as opposed to the 'standard' size MR16. I used one in my latest
lights http://members.ozemail.com.au/~drgagnon/lights_5.htm and I am
going
to use them on the next ones too.

I picked up one of the 10W 34mm bulbs today. Tried it out tonight looks
pretty good. Should have just coughed up the extra $10odd for the
smallest
one so I could compear them. oh well maybe tomorrow.

saw some of the small ones in the garden lights section of Bunnings
the
other day too....I think that they are MR8 lights and the ones that I
saw
were also 10W and came in blue, green, yellow, and red I think. I was
thinking that they might be good for a laugh mounted on the side of a
helmet
but they would prob not be too good for actual serious use as they
were
wide
beamed (38 degree i think) and have a small (inefficient) reflector.
You
would also need to have some sort of cover to protect from elements.

The ones I saw were white(which makes sence coz they didnt have front
glass). I was thinking about using one for a helment light. I am a
little
worried just how hot they will run once I put a glass front on them.

How did you mount your lights?? photos?? When I was in Bunnings the
other
day I also picked up some of the black platic hose clamps for the
irrigation
piping that are a simple sqeeze together to join (sorta zig-zag bits
that
interlock). I got a couple of 25mm and a couple of 19mm (i think they
were
the sizes) and I am going to look at using them in place of metal hose
clamps with the large one around the bars and the small one around the
globe
(with a couple of layers of rubber to help it grip and provide
cushioning....I now use three little rings of inner-tube from road
tubes
700c x 23).

no pics as yet sorry. weight weenies stop reading now
I have a 7Ah SLA($21 and 2.5kgs) battery fixed with hose clamps to the
top
tube.(l have a nice heavy cromo frame) the swtichies are on the side of
the
battery which isnt the best place for them(but it sure was the easiest).
I
dont need to switch beams very often. Two 20W 50mm (about $7.50 each, a
38degree and a 9 degree) bulbs mounted to the bars with the same clips
as
you just found(these are great coz you can get the light on in about
30secs
and off in less), and just normal hose clamps around the bulb with inner
tube. Add two fuse holders at $.45 each, the rest I had.
This gives me more then 3 hours with 20W all the time, 40W some of the
time.
You couldn't beat this for less $500 if then.
will try and get some pics
Anyway, welcome to the homebrew light club....I still reckon you can't
beat
the experience of fast singletrack on a pitch black night.

yer great fun, and so much cooler at night. No need for sunblock either,
unless you happen to be riding in front of me

Gags



Have a look at my lights.
http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/lights/martys_lights.htm

Marty

Pretty neat marty.......I am currently mucking around with some PVC
couplers, PVC end caps, and quick release Vistalite mounts for a set of
lights for a guy in Townsville.......I will prob post some pictures when
they are finished.

Gags

"stu" wrote in message
u...
ok l made my MKI bike lights a couple of months back. $50 all up(including
$12 for the rear light), they work great, lasts better than 3 hours on a
charge with one 20W light on. So thanks again to hippy and friends for
there
great pages.

No worries. ;^)

I have been looking around to solve some problems for these silly people
that do things like 24 hour races. Have a couple of ideas in the works for
some really cheap battery packs. but to my questions. I was looking at
down
lights in brunnings and there are now 3 sizes 50mm 34mm and a new even
smaller one (about 20mm I guess). They are 10w, but dont have front glass.
has anyone tried these yet??? or has anyone seen these with front glass??
if
so could you tell me where.

I bought 35mm globes (with glass cover) from Farnells, but they should be
readily available via other electrical wholesalers or lighting warehouses
(probably have to order them in). I bought 20W 10 degree globes, but they
should have a range of wattages and beams available. The brand I had was
Osram. Jaycar sell them in a 38 degree beam, but I find that too wide. I
liked the smaller globes - look much neater and take up less space, but I
had trouble getting past thoughts of "they're smaller, they can't work as
well". I was never convinced they were as bright, and a big stack brought
the experiment to a close - I had a spare 51mm, so back on it went. In all
honesty, I think my problem was just psychological... err...

I definitely will try again, it's just a matter of getting round to it.

Regards

Tony F

www.thefathippy.com