No need to be HOT, honey, you're young! OK, now we can be SURE you're not going back to that store!!! Hey, seriously, I've found some nice auto fog lights(for headlights) and trailer marker lights, both 12 volt at auto parts stores. Light weight and sturdy. Halogen, LED, etc.. Reasonable prices. Some guys have reported purchasing similar at WMart. And that, Red Riding Hood, is the 'straight' up deal. (Gawd I'm off this 'fore I get Bannished!!!)
Lights from the hardware store
- Thread starter RedBaronX
- Start date
RedBaronX
Member
more than anything, I am glad that I found (without even looking) cheaper workable lights than specifically motorcycle lights. I'm guessing that the farm store might have even more to choose from. And now that I have the bike running (FINALLY) I can actually GET to the farm store!
RedBaronX
Member
I just picked this up from Advance Auto Parts. It's pretty lightweight, weather proof, all that good stuff. 12v. I'm going to mount it to the front with just an L bracket-- I've got a flange/screw hole where the fender mounts to the fork, and it will fit perfect right there
ATV 12v light
Once I have it mounted, the hard part is going to be deciding how to weather proof the battery and mount it somewhere... I've got some ideas.
ATV 12v light
Once I have it mounted, the hard part is going to be deciding how to weather proof the battery and mount it somewhere... I've got some ideas.
SimpleSimon
Active Member
RedBaronX, I have a suggestion.
I made a weatherproof battery box from a Tupperware container. Drilled a pair of holes for the two wires, and used metal grommets (got them at a fabric store) to put a split proof edge on the holes, threaded the wires through and used a basting syringe to fill the void with clear silicon sealant. Then I put a similar pair of holes w/grommets near the top and bottom of each side, and used a pair of lightweight U bolts (from Lowe's) to mount the box. Once mounted, more silicone sealant weatherproofed the bolt holes. I did reinforce the inside and outside of the mounting points with short pieces of metal strapping, as the plastic itself isn't all that strong.
I made a weatherproof battery box from a Tupperware container. Drilled a pair of holes for the two wires, and used metal grommets (got them at a fabric store) to put a split proof edge on the holes, threaded the wires through and used a basting syringe to fill the void with clear silicon sealant. Then I put a similar pair of holes w/grommets near the top and bottom of each side, and used a pair of lightweight U bolts (from Lowe's) to mount the box. Once mounted, more silicone sealant weatherproofed the bolt holes. I did reinforce the inside and outside of the mounting points with short pieces of metal strapping, as the plastic itself isn't all that strong.
55 watt bulbs are nice and bright BUT pull 4.59 amps. If you use a SLA make it a 7-8 amp hour rated battery and remember discharging an SLA below 50% charge can damage it. It would give you about one hour of use before needing recharged. One that size is heavy too. Don't mean to rain on your head, it's being very responsible of you to build with safety in mind!
RedBaronX
Member
"SLA"?
RedBaronX
Member
(I googled "SLA battery"...)
so... this? SLA battery
I got me a 12v dry cell at the hardware store... will that run out too quick? It's a big sucker, a little bit larger than the one I posted above.
and the charger... that just plugs into the wall, right? As opposed to charging from a running car or something like that. I was looking at lights and batteries that all charged through a cigarette lighter, and that's not practical at all...
so... this? SLA battery
I got me a 12v dry cell at the hardware store... will that run out too quick? It's a big sucker, a little bit larger than the one I posted above.
and the charger... that just plugs into the wall, right? As opposed to charging from a running car or something like that. I was looking at lights and batteries that all charged through a cigarette lighter, and that's not practical at all...
Sorry. 'Sealed Lead Acid', SLA. Popular, newer technology 12 Volt lead acid storage batteries that will not leak electrolyte even if cracked, etc.. I'm using a 5.5 aH SLA in a system w/ a 15 superbright LED auto foglight as a Headlight and a "beehive" shaped trailer marker lamp for the rear light. I make the battery holder box and lamp holder "brackets" from Black Walnut. Easily runs 3.5 hrs. per charge w/o overdischarging the SLA. Lights and switch from Advance Auto. For pics go to www.bikemotorparts.com ,"Customer Gallery". I'm Mike from Muncie,IN and the bikes are a red Micargi Falcon GTS and a Huffy.
