12 Volt Lighting System Challenge

[HseLoMein]

I have spent considerable time and money on the problem already, and just recently, I began working on a new solution, one that is cheaper. So far, I appear to be the only inventor that has developed a solution offering 40-90 watts of power, using a 4 stroke engine. I invite anyone to develop a solution.

If i had a 4 stroke to develop i would take you up on your offer, my buddy and I are currently working on a 6v solution for the happy times. my goal is to make a HT vehicle and make it DOT complaint for lighting and possibly horn.

 

[arkives1]

Gosh fellas, I just use a sla 6 volt battery and recharge it when Im parked at home. The battery has 5ah capacity so it will certainly power my light far longer than my tired old back side can stay in the saddle. Of course, I often forget to recharge the darn thing and end up rushing home before dark. I can see the need for onboard charging and the brighter the lights the better we are seen.
Woody

 

[Deleted Member 4613]

Anyone who seriously wants to have their dc voltage regulator tested on my 4 stroke MB, I offer to test it. You don't even have to tell me what's in your regulator, just that it would reduce cost. I'm looking for a low cost way to regulate dc voltage to 12 volts, over a wide range of voltage. I do have a system now that works but I regard it as too expensive for most folks. MIke

 

[Scotchmo]

Gosh fellas, I just use a sla 6 volt battery and recharge it when Im parked at home. The battery has 5ah capacity so it will certainly power my light far longer than my tired old back side can stay in the saddle. Of course, I often forget to recharge the darn thing and end up rushing home before dark. I can see the need for onboard charging and the brighter the lights the better we are seen.
Woody

If you have an HT engine, you can hook the white wire to the 6v battery positive pole through a diode ($1) and it will trickle charge the battery when you ride with the lights off. If you only use your headlight occasionally, you may never need to use a seperate external charger. But you still can if needed.

 

[cabinfever1977]

Or i can use a $20 walmart 12v cordless drill battery and a couple of 12v car lights that light up a bike like a UFO and last for hours and recharges in 1 hour.

Plus you can use the engine 6v power for a extra set of backup lights.

 

[Deleted Member 4613]

C.mon guys, we're looking for a professional solution here that can light the field ahead with a bright halogen headlamp, and keep this light on all the time, as required by Illinois law. The white wire concept fails for this requirement. We also want to go beyond batteries. Mike

 

[arkives1]

12 volt lighting system

C.mon guys, we're looking for a professional solution here that can light the field ahead with a bright halogen headlamp, and keep this light on all the time, as required by Illinois law. The white wire concept fails for this requirement. We also want to go beyond batteries. Mike

What's wrong with batteries....works for me. I got two suggestions for ya Mike, move to Wisconsin, we only need lights at night, or dump your bike and get a motorcycle, they already have light systems. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[HoughMade]

I'm good with my 7ah battery- full lighting: (front and rear) turn signals, brake and tail, and headlight. Runs for well over 2 hours. However, I do not have to deal with whatever Illinois law is...and it would sure be nice to never have to recharge. In other words, content, but not satisfied.

 

[jbcruisin]

I got a full lighting system too (except no turn signals). Dual beam head light, brake light,etc. I do what you guys do. Charge my battery with a small charger when it needs it. Would be nice not to have to do that, but it works. Here's where I got my battery & front brake lever with brake light switch in it.

http://www.electricscooterparts.com/index.html

 

[Scotchmo]

C.mon guys, we're looking for a professional solution here that can light the field ahead with a bright halogen headlamp, and keep this light on all the time, as required by Illinois law. The white wire concept fails for this requirement. We also want to go beyond batteries. Mike

That is incorrect as far as I can tell. I checked the Illinois laws and vehicle code. The consensus seems to be lights only required at night for mopeds or motorized bicycles (same thing in proposed HB1181). HB1181 gets more specific. Not sure if it passed yet, but it spells it out:

11(625 ILCS 5/11-1507.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1507.1)
12 Sec. 11-1507.1. Lamps on mopeds motorized pedalcycles.
13 Every moped motorized pedalcycle, when in use at nighttime,
14 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a
15 white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the
16 front, and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved
17 by the Department which shall be visible from all distances
18 from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when in front of lawful,
19 low-powered beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp
20 emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the
21 rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
22 (Source: P.A. 80-262.)

Having your headlight running during daylight hours is an added safety feature, even on a moped. It is more important on a motorcycle that mingles with traffic at high speeds. If you are really concerned with safety, a set of turn signals would be a good addition without having the ongoing power draw of a daytime halogen headlight. A small battery system can handle this. But since these are minimal vehicles, I understand those that want to keep equipment to a minimum. A watchful eye and appropriate hand signals work too.