New homemade headlamp done...

[Matno]

Not sure why I did this, seeing as how I already have two (one head and one handlebar) that I rarely use, but this one is far prettier. It's a little heavier, but probably a LOT tougher (and pretty much water resistant). Plus, it matches my red helmets... I made it from a D-cell Maglite. Basically, modified it to take a MR16 halogen bulb (near perfect fit),  shortened the handle to make it useable on a helmet (using a very tight press fit), modified the original switch, and installed a DC power jack on the back. Got my basic idea from this guy:
http://www.trappersplace.com/maglite/start.htm
(If you look at his "preview" of his site update, you'll see how to modify the existing switch. That wasn't on the site yet when I started, so I figured that part out on my own. I didn't like his original toggle switch idea - not smooth enough). Now I just need to strap it on and take it for a ride. I used a 16 deg spot bulb (20w, 12v) with a 4500mAh NMH battery that lasts almost 2 hours in my experience. (I've never tried it longer, and it's never gotten dim on a ride).

Here are some pics:


With the battery pack:

And the rear DC power jack.


My camera doesn't do the deep, glossy red of this flashlight justice. It's beautiful.

Now, I just have to figure out when to use this baby. I still need a night-time riding buddy because even I don't feel safe riding alone at night in the Bronx. (If they didn't have these stupid anti-gun laws in the city, I wouldn't have to worry).

[shovelon]

Now that is a nice piece of work!

terry

[Colin]

Next Mission.....

......Modify a .44 Magnum to fit on the helmet as well and you'll be perfectly safe............NOT!

Nice job on the Mag(Lite) though...!

Where'd ya get the NiMH from?

Col.

[Sprucey]

Nice light Matno - how does it fix to the bars?

We ride every week, rain or shine. all year (Tuesday nights) off road on the South Downs in the south of the UK. We give lights a good work out.

Sprucey

[Matno]

Modify a .44 Magnum to fit on the helmet as well and you'll be perfectly safe............NOT!

Actually, I would be a lot safer, but I'd probably look stupid. (.44 mags are usually big). Plus, I'd hate to think how the recoil of a helmet-mounted .44 mag would feel in my neck!

Where'd ya get the NiMH from?

Ebay. Look in Cycling under "battery". Lots of options. The guys I bought mine from sell tons of them. Mine's just a plain old battery pack (I don't think it's overvolted, but I can't remember for sure - most of them are). The same guys also sell a slightly overvolted version that fits into a water bottle (it comes that way), but they charge a lot more for it. Mine was around $30, the bottled ones are around $60. They come with interchangeable universal plugs to fit a variety of DC power jacks.

Nice light Matno - how does it fix to the bars?

This one is for the helmet. I have another made from PVC pipe that's got a quick release bar mount on it. For that one I use a 40 degree flood (also a 20w, 12v halogen). That's my personal favorite, but it is more effort to get the battery pack strapped to my frame than it is to just toss it in the camelbak with a headlamp... Bar mounts give you much better depth perception on the trail though. I lost a lot of skin on my arm once thanks to misjudging a shadow with a crummy helmet lamp!