Battery Powered Headlights

[warner]

Just thought I'd throw this picture in the ring to show what can be done for some real serious night riding. The big sealed beam is the 12 volt, 55 watt I mentioned earlier in this thread. The two smaller ones are Norm's lights but they run off a small, 4.5ah 6 volt battery and not the white wire. This thing looks like a motorcycle coming at you and I can see for a block in front of me on a street with no street lights. Like I said...serious night riding.
Tom

That's one BIG-axe headlight Tom! Wow! Hahaha. My 55 watt driving light really lights up the road at night. After seeing several examples of what the white-wire lights look like and how much hassle they seem to be, I wouldn't even waste my time with that type of setup, frankly. The SLA Battery setups work SO well and are really easy to make work correctly that it's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. The weight gets up there with the battery, but most of us aren't pedaling the extra weight around too much. I can pedal my heavy bike at 14 mph average speed for several miles if needed, which isn't too bad.


Warner

 

[warner]

Just thought I'd throw this picture in the ring to show what can be done for some real serious night riding. The big sealed beam is the 12 volt, 55 watt I mentioned earlier in this thread. The two smaller ones are Norm's lights but they run off a small, 4.5ah 6 volt battery and not the white wire. This thing looks like a motorcycle coming at you and I can see for a block in front of me on a street with no street lights. Like I said...serious night riding.
Tom

Tom, what are the specifics on those smaller lights?

Thanks,

Warner

 

[Salty Gator]

I agree Warner....one BIG AXE headlight !.....making country roads light up I bet....but I've no idea where I'd hook up the battery on my bike....maybe a rear rack mounted one ?...


Salty

 

[warner]

I agree Warner....one BIG AXE headlight !.....making country roads light up I bet....but I've no idea where I'd hook up the battery on my bike....maybe a rear rack mounted one ?...


Salty

Well, since my engine is a rack mount and my battery is a top tube (or frame) mount, it makes sense that our engines and batteries would be in opposite locations. I'm sure you could find a location for the battery....they aren't that big, really...not like a car battery or anything.

Warner

 

[Salty Gator]

Well, since my engine is a rack mount and my battery is a top tube (or frame) mount, it makes sense that our engines and batteries would be in opposite locations. I'm sure you could find a location for the battery....they aren't that big, really...not like a car battery or anything.

Warner

You got the wheels turning in my head ( no pun intended )....a rear rack ...yeah....so what's a set up like that's total cost?


Salty

 

[2door]

Both batteries are carried in this nifty little nylon bag that's attached to my seat frame. The bigger one is the 12 volt, the smaller is the 6 volt.
As for the specifics on Norm's lights, you'll have to ask him but he's been secretive about them so don't expect an answer
Tom

 

[warner]

You got the wheels turning in my head ( no pun intended )....a rear rack ...yeah....so what's a set up like that's total cost?


Salty

Just the rack, or the whole kit (rack mount engine, etc)?

Warner

 

[Salty Gator]

Just the rack, or the whole kit (rack mount engine, etc)?

Warner

Whole set up....light, battery,rack and whatever else I'd need.....
Salty

 

[warner]

Whole set up....light, battery,rack and whatever else I'd need.....
Salty

Okay...so just the stuff for the light? Well, I'd buy the battery and charger in the link above from Cabelas - that was $30. Then I'd buy the 55 watt driving lights from you local auto parts store...should be around $20 or $25 for a pair (so you'll have a spare). Then the only other things you need are a switch for the light and a mounting system for the battery and some wire to hook it all up. I have a fuse between my battery and the headlight, but it's probably not really necessary. As far as a rack....not sure what they cost....my engine IS my "rack".

Warner

 

[Salty Gator]

Thanks Warner!...so we're talking around $60 or so for the lighting and maybe $20 for a rack for a grand total of $80....hmmmm...

Thanks,
Salty