The big LIGHTS thread 2011-2014

allthegearnoidea

morning all,
last couple of rides ive noticed my Solarstorm 2x U2 cree light has been pretty pathetic, its mostly used as a back up but it kind of emits so little light now its more tempting to turn it around and put a red baloon over it as extra rearward light, its only the 4.2v version, i tried a new charger for it too but no real difference, The first few rides it was Bright and Very Floody but now its just a bit pants, my other 4.2v t^6blows it away (my original night riding light),
is it just one of those things and resign it to the emergency get you seen/home light pile???? - it doesnt work on an normal 8.4 pack,

-Archie-

It seems like you've got one of "super-cheap" variants of SS-X2 with thermal sinking parts removed. If it's the case, the LEDs are simply degraded irreversibly because of overheating...

allthegearnoidea

I managed to test my other 4.2 pack on it via the ends of 2 dead packs joined to make a link cable and it was infinately Brighter, on the Odd flash with an 8.4v pack was a bit Whoa! So I guess its down to the battery pack, I may sort another out, or may not! ;-)

allthegearnoidea

thought i'd post up about a new cheap Flood stylee light along the lines the Std T6xml's from dx.com ,
Big convex glass lense on the unit, (has a zoom function but is a bit of a not needed addition) gives of a Lovely Wide Flood of light, quite impressive, compared to the std T6 cree's its Massively Wider spread,
First impressions were good, lovely wide spread of light with no real hotspot, worked Very well on its own in the woods, almost good enough to ride with alone, being used to a couple of T6 xml's its quite different,

Appologies for the Pooch caught in the act in the pictures! ;-) but a full power beam shot across the garden,

Medium/low mode


i recon as a commuter light would be spot on, plenty of spread, ideal for lanes etc. Teamed up with a T6xml on the bars though gives a Great combo for attacking the woods!
- both on full (the other 2 lights on the bars are the same t6's were put on to see if they made much more difference) they are the pair in the middle of the bars btw.


gotta say am quite chuffed with it after the twin U2 solarstorm dropping its light Massively, made me think i should have gone for one of these in the first place! :-D

diy

You need to check the current of the failing light. its quite likely that the cells are not pushing the driver hard enough. As long as you stay under 3A, you should be able to put more volts through the unit. The advantage of a 4.2v light is you should be able to put 5v USB 18650 power pack in as a replacement. try to go with a 2A limit one though if you can find one. This should up the power of your light considerably. All you need is to strip an old usb cable as a connector and you are done.

allthegearnoidea

Thats Brilliant advice fella, thank you very much! Will go off in search!

zla.mas

Is this one worth this money, this is my first better light for bicycle and I want it to be good. Thank you

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800Lm-CREE-XML ... 0936935150

tincaman

zla.mas wrote:

Is this one worth this money, this is my first better light for bicycle and I want it to be good. Thank you

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800Lm-CREE-XML ... 0936935150

Go for a Solarstorm X2
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKYRAY-SolarStorm-2x-CREE-XML-U2-LED-Bike-Bicycle-HeadLamp-Light-4x18650B-N0045-/131078837185?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item1e84e853c1#ht_6005wt_1190
£16 from China

or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-XM-L2-LEDS-SolarStorm-X2-X3-Bike-Light-Package-Waterproof-Battery-Bicycle-/261417372337?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&var=&hash=item3cddb08ab1#ht_15429wt_964
£27 from the UK.

Nice proven design, good spread of light

apreading

That UK one is probably worth the extra £11 as it has better battery and proper uk charger, in addition to getting here much quicker.

zla.mas

I found Solarstorm x2 on auction, so far the price is OK, it's XML2, 6400 mAh and factory packing.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/SolarStorm-Hotes ... R/$_12.JPG

Thanks guys!

MikeyC

I've just recently purchased the Solarstorm X3 from pacerhawks on eBay and so far very pleased with it!. Been riding off road at night with it and have not run it above 60% power (2nd setting of 3). It is very bright and gives a good spread. On road, you dont need more than the 2nd setting.
BTW don't leave the lights on when you come to a stop - they will over heat. Also don't over charge the battery or run the battery until it is completely flat - Li-Ion cells dont like that and you could permanently damage the cells.
Early days so far so lets see how this light does long term

- Mike

bamba

Can any one provide any link please for a good 18650 power bank , that allows removable battery cells , I have looked but there tricky to route out amougst the other 2 million power banks out there.
Thanks

tincaman

bamba wrote:

Can any one provide any link please for a good 18650 power bank , that allows removable battery cells , I have looked but there tricky to route out amougst the other 2 million power banks out there.
Thanks

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121199742150? ... EBIDX%3AIT

-Archie-

tincaman wrote:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121199742150?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It's not power bank: it's just holder with no electronics inside...

tincaman

-Archie- wrote:

tincaman wrote:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121199742150?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It's not power bank: it's just holder with no electronics inside...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dual-USB-2A-Mobile-Power-Supply-18650-Battery-Charger-box-For-ipad-2-3-iphone-/121065291717?pt=UK_iPad_Tablet_Accessories&hash=item1c300dbfc5

mcnultycop

I've just got a Solarstorm x2. I'm not too keen on the battery and charger though.

I've looked at the MTB Batteries offerings but they seem a bit steep. I've got a proper uk 18650 charger, is there a holder I could use to make my own 4x 18650 holder? Does such a thing exist? I don't have soldering equipment, etc, by the way.

Ouija

mcnultycop wrote:

I've just got a Solarstorm x2. I'm not too keen on the battery and charger though.

I've looked at the MTB Batteries offerings but they seem a bit steep. I've got a proper uk 18650 charger, is there a holder I could use to make my own 4x 18650 holder? Does such a thing exist? I don't have soldering equipment, etc, by the way.

Go back a few posts to tincamans link.

mcnultycop

Ouija wrote:

mcnultycop wrote:

I've just got a Solarstorm x2. I'm not too keen on the battery and charger though.

I've looked at the MTB Batteries offerings but they seem a bit steep. I've got a proper uk 18650 charger, is there a holder I could use to make my own 4x 18650 holder? Does such a thing exist? I don't have soldering equipment, etc, by the way.

Go back a few posts to tincamans link.

Not sure how I missed that, looks ok. Cheers. Means I can just throw my decent torchy 18650s in.

snig

john2002 wrote:

this torch £7.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l2-5-modes-led-flashlight-torch-1-18650

if your handle bars are stright this mount £1.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/flashlight-mount-5pcs
or
if you handle bars bend back this mount so you can adjust the angle the light shines £1.40
http://www.lightmalls.com/universal-adjustable-bicycle-mount-for-flashlights-no003

ive not had any problems with cheap charges but many wouldent buy them because of the protental risk.
simple cheap charger i use £1.70 (single cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/useful-single-li-ion-battery-travel-wireles-charger-for-18650-battery
or
more advance charger with protection circuits etc £8.70 (double cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/buy-nitecore-i2-intellicharge-battery-charger

ive always got my batteries from old laptop batteries so i cant recomend a seller, but sanyo batteries are said to be the best, dont get any battery that has a rating of over 3400mah because its most likely fake. £5-£10 each
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=301049860247&pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&_osacat=48446&hash=item4617f85097&_ssn=big_f_d_d&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=18650&_sacat=48446&_from=R40

watch DIY video, and give the torch a once over before you use them. £free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpQAvum0bM

thanks for this...I have an old thinkpad battery pack, guessing it has 4 or 6 batteries in, do I just break the pack open and the batteries are ready to charge. using one of the above charges?

also how many torches would you recommend for commuting, I'm thinking more than 2,not sure whether to go for 3 or 4? will be used on flashing mode so am I looking at around a 1.5run time?

tincaman

snig wrote:

john2002 wrote:

this torch £7.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l2-5-modes-led-flashlight-torch-1-18650

if your handle bars are stright this mount £1.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/flashlight-mount-5pcs
or
if you handle bars bend back this mount so you can adjust the angle the light shines £1.40
http://www.lightmalls.com/universal-adjustable-bicycle-mount-for-flashlights-no003

ive not had any problems with cheap charges but many wouldent buy them because of the protental risk.
simple cheap charger i use £1.70 (single cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/useful-single-li-ion-battery-travel-wireles-charger-for-18650-battery
or
more advance charger with protection circuits etc £8.70 (double cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/buy-nitecore-i2-intellicharge-battery-charger

ive always got my batteries from old laptop batteries so i cant recomend a seller, but sanyo batteries are said to be the best, dont get any battery that has a rating of over 3400mah because its most likely fake. £5-£10 each
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=301049860247&pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&_osacat=48446&hash=item4617f85097&_ssn=big_f_d_d&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=18650&_sacat=48446&_from=R40

watch DIY video, and give the torch a once over before you use them. £free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpQAvum0bM

thanks for this...I have an old thinkpad battery pack, guessing it has 4 or 6 batteries in, do I just break the pack open and the batteries are ready to charge. using one of the above charges?

also how many torches would you recommend for commuting, I'm thinking more than 2,not sure whether to go for 3 or 4? will be used on flashing mode so am I looking at around a 1.5run time?

If you break apart the pack, be careful about shorting out anything. You need to test the volatge on the cells, junk anything under 2.8v, charge the rest but keep an eye on them for overheating.
These cells will be unprotected so if used on a torch you need to either charge them after a fixed amount of run time (say 1hr)or test the voltage so that it doesnt drop below 3.4v. Running a cell down below about 2.8v destroys them. Look for a 18650 primer on the net for more details.
You don't need more than one torch on flash mode, but run two with one as a back up. If you are out of town then two would be good for seeing the road.

Ouija

Bear in mind that these are TACTICAL torches for security and military use. Flash mode is designed to stun and disorientate. You'll find drivers jumping out of their cars and assaulting you if you use flash.

jairaj

Please Please please don't use the above type torches on flash mode!!! It is very disorientating for other road users and likely to cause more accidents.

Personally I find ~300 lumens is enough for riding down dark country lanes so its not really the amount of light that is the problem. But you might find the beam pattern is a bit narrow and isn't to your liking. Usually two torches running on low or medium is enough either each one pointing slightly away for more width or one pointed up the road a bit, whatever suits you better.

bhosty2

Can anyone recommend a diffuser for the 501 type lights, something like a ping pong ball we could stick over the end which would still be very visible to motorists but would stop the dazzle?

jairaj

I read some people just use some black tape to create a hard cut off to stop too much light spilling up and into oncoming drivers.

bhosty2

To answer my own question I've just ordered a couple of these:

http://www.lightmalls.com/soft-diffuser ... 0mm-39-7mm

Ouija

You can just pull a balloon over the end of the light. You can pull it tight or leave a little bit dangling off the front (the heat will cause it to inflate).

snig

Ouija wrote:

Bear in mind that these are TACTICAL torches for security and military use. Flash mode is designed to stun and disorientate. You'll find drivers jumping out of their cars and assaulting you if you use flash.

great sounds as if I've brought the wrong thing then...I ended up ordering two of the 501b last night, so I need to run then on a constant mode,pointed down?

Ouija

If your going to use flash at all with those lights, use the SOS mode (slow blink that spells out S.O.S in morse code), not the regular flash designed to subdue opponents. Assuming it's got the full 5 modes (High, Medium, Low, Flash, S.O.S).

snig

tincaman wrote:

snig wrote:

john2002 wrote:

this torch £7.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/ultrafire-wf-501b-cree-xm-l2-5-modes-led-flashlight-torch-1-18650

if your handle bars are stright this mount £1.50
http://www.lightmalls.com/flashlight-mount-5pcs
or
if you handle bars bend back this mount so you can adjust the angle the light shines £1.40
http://www.lightmalls.com/universal-adjustable-bicycle-mount-for-flashlights-no003

ive not had any problems with cheap charges but many wouldent buy them because of the protental risk.
simple cheap charger i use £1.70 (single cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/useful-single-li-ion-battery-travel-wireles-charger-for-18650-battery
or
more advance charger with protection circuits etc £8.70 (double cell charger)
http://www.lightmalls.com/buy-nitecore-i2-intellicharge-battery-charger

ive always got my batteries from old laptop batteries so i cant recomend a seller, but sanyo batteries are said to be the best, dont get any battery that has a rating of over 3400mah because its most likely fake. £5-£10 each
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=301049860247&pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&_osacat=48446&hash=item4617f85097&_ssn=big_f_d_d&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=18650&_sacat=48446&_from=R40

watch DIY video, and give the torch a once over before you use them. £free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpQAvum0bM

thanks for this...I have an old thinkpad battery pack, guessing it has 4 or 6 batteries in, do I just break the pack open and the batteries are ready to charge. using one of the above charges?

also how many torches would you recommend for commuting, I'm thinking more than 2,not sure whether to go for 3 or 4? will be used on flashing mode so am I looking at around a 1.5run time?

If you break apart the pack, be careful about shorting out anything. You need to test the volatge on the cells, junk anything under 2.8v, charge the rest but keep an eye on them for overheating.
These cells will be unprotected so if used on a torch you need to either charge them after a fixed amount of run time (say 1hr)or test the voltage so that it doesnt drop below 3.4v. Running a cell down below about 2.8v destroys them. Look for a 18650 primer on the net for more details.
You don't need more than one torch on flash mode, but run two with one as a back up. If you are out of town then two would be good for seeing the road.

cheers, googled "18650primer" but didn't come up with anything i could understand (this post was at the top of page 2 :shock: ) time I buy a primer and a voltage checker, would it not just be cheaper to buy a protected 18650cell? so then I don't have to worry about dropping the voltage to low?

(sorry total noob here, was looking for a front commuting light, asked in commuting but got pointed to this thread, I have a feeling this is not meant for a commuting purpose in traffic)

snig

Ouija wrote:

If your going to use flash at all with those lights, use the SOS mode (slow blink that spells out S.O.S in morse code), not the regular flash designed to subdue opponents. Assuming it's got the full 5 modes (High, Medium, Low, Flash, S.O.S).

ok so I can use the S.O.S mode on the lower setting...that's good to know cheers.