The new best headlight

[Yamdude]

there crap in a line as they just dont throw the light far enough for me anyway.

Well..... If you will ride faster than the speed of light.

 

[soundwave]

i need 20m plus or i just cant see with no street lighting going fast.

 

[Yamdude]

If you ride like lightning, one day you'll crash like thunder.
But i think you've already had some of that.

 

[anotherkiwi]

I regularly ride at 30 mph (translating from 50 km/h because I've forgotten mph) in the pitch black of night (trees, no moon) with my b+m on high beam. Wunderbar is a word that springs to mind...

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Brightness certainly doesn't mean best, and spread of beam is more important than spot. Cost also doesn't mean best.

This one has an excellent beam. It's not a spotlight. As I said. it lights up everything you need to see.

It comes with two different sized rubber bands, just like all the others. If you use the correct one, it will not move on the handlebars, whatever size handlebars you have.

You can buy spare rubber bands on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-x-Mini-Rubber-Band-PVC-Ring-For-Bicycle-MTB-Road-Headlamp-Light-Torch-/261896194252?hash=item3cfa3ac8cc:g:8kMAAOSw0vBUd2v-

 

[Artstu]

Are there any new dipped beam designs out there yet along the lines of mfj's home made design? my last cree light was annoying for people coming towards me.

http://forums.mtbr.com/lights-diy-do-yourself/build-thread-double-xm-l-road-lights-746967.html

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Are there any new dipped beam designs out there yet along the lines of mfj's home made design? my last cree light was annoying for people coming towards me.

Yes. I haven't tried it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7500-Lumen-3x-CREE-XM-L2-2xR5-LED-Front-Bicycle-Bike-light-Dip-Headlight-4x18650-/201106356089?hash=item2ed2df7779:g:sDYAAOSwoBtW2nT9

 

[soundwave]

what 18650 cells would be best for a light from bga/insat just there like 5 quid each and dont want to get the wrong ones.

 

[danielrlee]

what 18650 cells would be best for a light from bga/insat just there like 5 quid each and dont want to get the wrong ones.

Anything without 'fire' in the name!

 

[soundwave]

they dont sell those lol but know what you mean as there shite get hot and not last to long.

sony ones look good but 28 quid for 4

 

[soundwave]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-GENUINE-Sony-VTC5-2600mAh-18650-30A-60A-Battery-/322213438955?hash=item4b056ae5eb:g:MhgAAOSwARZXn6hU

so if i got 4 of those would the charger i have be ok to use with them.

8.4v 1a that came with my cree light.

 

[danielrlee]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-GENUINE-Sony-VTC5-2600mAh-18650-30A-60A-Battery-/322213438955?hash=item4b056ae5eb:g:MhgAAOSwARZXn6hU

so if i got 4 of those would the charger i have be ok to use with them.

8.4v 1a that came with my cree light.

I stopped dicking about with secondary battery packs a couple of years ago and now run all my accessories from my main pack. I'd advise the same if you are able to do so.

I dont know anything about that seller, so cannot comment on those cells. Assuming they are authentic, they'll be good for powering a light.

If you are putting together your own 2S2P pack from 18650 cells, you should use a 2S BMS as with any other pack. With a BMS, you'll be able to use your existing 8.4V charger as a "set and forget" solution. Without a BMS, you run the risk of cell imbalance and even fire in certain scenarios.

 

[soundwave]

its says to charge it when the light flashes so i guess no bms built in to it.

the cells are unprotected so cant let them drop below 2.5v but insat said to use these.

Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh

and a charger like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322232541505?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

not sure how i could wire a bms in the the above box tho?

 

[danielrlee]

its says to charge it when the light flashes so i guess no bms built in to it.

the cells are unprotected so cant let them drop below 2.5v but insat said to use these.

Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh

and a charger like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322232541505?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

not sure how i could wire a bms in the the above box tho?

I might have misunderstood what you are trying to do. Can you post a link to the light you are talking about?

 

[soundwave]

light
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161893174025?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
case
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152101697909?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
batts
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-GENUINE-PANASONIC-3400mAh-NCR18650B-Li-ion-18650-3-7v-Flattop-Battery-UK-/191948761989?hash=item2cb109ab85:g:Z1oAAOSwwIZXTEGn

charger
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322232541505?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

bms?

 

[soundwave]

so what is the difference to a cell that is protected and one that is not?

 

[IR772]

Here you go for BMS

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-BMS-Protection-PCB-Board-for-3-4-packs-18650-Li-ion-lithium-Battery-Cell-/181871320928?hash=item2a58601f60:g:2DcAAOSwrklVarp~

 

[soundwave]

see pic its not the same tho cant i just use this?

 

[IR772]

If you flatten a Lithium battery to near 0 v it will not recharge using the normal sensing charger, also internal resistance will charge cells differently, without balance a pack of batteries will only operate at the level or the poorest operating cell.

Lithium are very high capacity but not easy to use or abuse like Ni Cd type batteries.

That is not a BMS in your photo it is probably just a low voltage cut out as a BMS connects to each battery for parallel charging and then serial in use.

 

[soundwave]

they have to go in to this tho as i bought it now lol.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152101697909?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

options?