I am considering making a one led bike light that will put out 3 levels or so up to about 1000 lumens (a bit more or less is fine). I have a metal lathe and small mill so can make a housing (nothing too complex) out of aluminium along with a decent mount. I plan to have it go on the bars on my bike(s). It will be used on the street and on relatively decent trails.
It appears that I can get the following components fairly easily:
- fenix 2 x 18650 (8.4 volt) case.
- 18650 batteries.
led and driver (a lot of choice available).
I am at loss however in obtaining a suitable optic. I would like a somewhat horizontal beam with a cutoff to prevent glare towards other road users. I can make the case with a “visor” at the top to prevent some glare.
It appears to me that the optic may dictate the led that I use. Any suggestions as to an optic/led combination would be appreciated.
The other question I have regards a switch. I would like to have one near the left or right hand and have it act like the rear clicky mechanical switch on a flashlight. I am likely to use a flashlight style driver so that will let me switch on and off and change modes. Any suggestions as to a diy switch would be appreciated.
I am located in Canada if that helps/hinders as far as ordering.
With the SST-20 2700k option(slightly lower than halogen bulbs, so very comfortable), along with a 7135x6 driver for the best balance between power and brightness.
Thank you for the suggestions. BlueswordM - the link to the light doesn’t work for some reason. Is it to the convoy S2+? I have a couple of the S2’s and find them well made.
Relampego - thanks for the info on the lumintop B01 and the S2+ remote switch. If I don’t build something I may go for one or the other - I must admit that it likely isn’t worth going to the trouble to build a light as there are quite a few good options available now that were not a few years back.
I did look at the LED supply website after making the initial post and found that they have optics that create an elliptical beam - not sure it that would work well or not.
With all due respect to BLF owner, modders, hobbyists, custom makers, there is a dedicated section in mtbr forum where you could probably find inspiration for a housing and also suggestions for parts.
Binford and Tally-ho. Thanks for the suggestion. I have looked at some of the ideas on MTB however most do not appear to deal with shaping the beam of light so that it isn’t directed into other road user’s eyes. Also the availability of reasonably priced commercial light seems to have reduced the amount of diy efforts.
I am currently looking into the convoy s2+ as noted above. A couple of questions:
- it appears the 2700k version of the SST-20 is preferred over the 4000K - the reasons for this?
- will the strip lens shown above work with the convoy S2 or just with the S2+ with the sst-20?
will the remote switch for the S2+ work with the S2?
On the street you need a StVZO light, not a flashlight. You will be blinding oncoming street users.
Personally I use XANES SFL-01 on the street and BT40S offroad.
Mike
sp5it - thanks for the input. I’m really trying to stay away from lights that cannot have the batteries exchanged (not sure yours are like that). Unfortunately most of the local offerings have relatively permanent batteries and once they wear out the remainder is junk.
I just ordered the convoy S2+ with the SST-20 4000k led with 6 of the 7135/s. Also ordered some strip lenses and a remote switch. I believe it will do most of what I want and I really like the idea of the remote switch - no headers trying to reach the light to change modes or shut it down.
Will advise how this works out and also if the lenses and remote are compatible (may need spacers) with the S2. The other thing about this setup is that it is easily modified as I have built a few lights from hosts in the past, including my S2. So if there are more suitable led’s/lense/driver combinations in future I can exchange them.
The Lumintop is a good light. Better thermally, comes with a mount, bigger battery capacity and a buck converter. A bit of unevenness at the edges of the beam but overall pretty good.
It maintains full output on high down to 3.3 volts. Battery tube and driver are glued to the head, got the battery tube off but no go on pulling the driver so no changing the sense resistor. Getting the reflector out was a bit of a pain but swapping in a warmer led was pretty easy.
I bought mine from Banggood with a code from Fin17, the code is still active but getting Banggood to actually ship something right now might be a bit of a lottery.
Mike - I didn’t realize that, regarding the xanes replacement battery.
A heads up for anyone who has solarforce l2 lights. They seem to be closing down and have remote switches and bike mounts on sale right now for a good price. I have a couple of their p60 lights so made a small order today.
wtf - thanks for the info about the lumintop light. I was really tempted except for the colder white light. Wasn’t sure how difficult it would be to exchange the led.
I received the convoy S2+, remote switch and 5 of the elliptical lenses today. It was easy to switch the reflector for the lens and it does give a nice flat bottom and top cutoff beam. It has been mentioned before but just in case, the elliptical lens fits in place of the reflector - leave the o-ring and glass lens in place. Will need to try it in the dark but so far I am very pleased with the setup.
As an aside I put an elliptical lens in my convoy s2 (no plus) and had to use two o-rings ahead of it (between the glass and the elliptical lens). The o-rings were ones I had on hand and are apparently 9/16”x3/4”. It also gives a good flat beam and I will be trying it later tonight.
The remote switch fits and works on the convoy S2+, S2 and S6. I will have to arrange a method of securing it near a hand.
