DIY Bicycle Light - Done!

Taadaaaa.....Well it ain't exactly pretty, and it ain't totally waterproof (yet) but...it works FABULOUSLY!!!

I put the finishing touches on my light today and after a short spin around the block tonight I'd have to say the verdict is in...the Naysayers must admit DEFEAT! (Ohhhh yeahhhh Gibosamamamama!!!)

The accounting:

• $70.00 NiMH Battery and Charger - BatterySpace.com
• $1.10 Bulb Socket - BatterSpace.com
• $1.20 Fuse - BatterySpace.com
• $4.60 Switch - BatterSpace.com
• $6.50 20 W MR-16 Bulb - Home Depot
• $2.00 PVC Fittings - Home Depot
• $1.00 Screws - Home Depot
• $3.60 Heat Shrink Tubing - Radio Shack
• $1.00 Surgical Tubing - Kilgos
• $91.00 TOTAL

Free stuff I had at home: solder, electrical tape, silicon sealer, battery pouch (from old Performance light).

Unbelievable...for under $100 bucks and a little time you can build a great functional light. In fact, this light is even better than most halogen lights out there since it uses a big MR-16 bulb versus the usual MR-11 which is much smaller!

For the geeks, this overvolted light should burn about this long per charge:

Amps: 20W /13.2V = 1.5 Amps
Battery Capacity: 4.5 Amp Hours
Theoretical Run Time: 4.5 /1.5 = 3 Hours
Probable Run Time: 80% x 3 Hours = 2.4 Hours

Can't wait to try it out later this week! I'll provide a follow up report then - and remember:

You can hit what you can't see...Ride Enlightened - Serikaku Lighting Company

Here for: Part 2
Here for: Part 1