HID Headlight on a bicycle, give me some advice!

[scubaru89]

So I am in the ordering phase of building my bike and should have the engine here next week. I want to put a headlight and tail light on it and have it all wired so I have a functioning running/brake light and headlight (possibly turn signals but thats down the road).

I am aware the power wire from the magneto won't be enough so I am all lined up to get one of the 12v mini generators from Mightywonderful on ebay, they run next to the magneto and produce 12v of power. So I should have enough to run basic lights (LEDs and HID).

Now I've done a full HID install on my Subaru WRX, took 14 hours to open my headlights, install the projectors, align, reseal, and put in the HID bulbs.

I want HID light on my bike. HIDs draw less power than halogens do and also give off 3x more light. I just don't know what should be a good medium to install a projector into. I've been looking at those cheap street fighter light assemblies that strap onto dirt bikes and stuff.

These things run $24, with some quick modification I am sure I can get HIDs to work on it and with some simple fabrication could get it to mount to a bicycle.

Or should I just try for a basic bike light and install a projector into it.

Let me see what others have done for lighting systems that work off the engine or another 12v system. Keep in mind budget is ideal here.

 

[Fabian]

Please, before purchasing the 12 volt mini generator, make sure you contact Nate from the Wonderful Creations website and have him make you my bespoke version of the 12 volt generator.

It is designed to give significantly more power than the generator of their current design on the website. Yes, it will cost you , but it has a lot of extra features including a 4,000 mAh lithium battery and 12 volt cigarette lighter receptacle to power 12 volt accessories, with a further option of additional 4,000 mAh batteries to increase the storage capacity if needed, as well as having a digital LED display to show the generator charge rate and the power discharge rate to any powered accessories, and a headlight on and off switch, all designed into one display unit.

 

[scubaru89]

So I've been researching more and taking information from what your saying and from the site for the 12v generator from Wonderful Creations.

Seems there is a mix of information, you are saying it will produce 4000 mAh where on the site he is saying it will only produce 10-15W of power (or 1250 mAh @ 12v). Problem is HID kits run on 35W of power. Running on a 12V system that requires 2,910 mAh. So depending on who's answer is best for this device I am not sure I can run an HID setup. Also it states its running an AC voltage, not sure if I can regulate that to DC.

I would love to have all the gizmo's and gadgets you mentioned, I am sure I can add much of that on later, but for right now I want to at least get the bike functional and some form of lighting on it.

So can you shed any light on the lighting issue (no pun intended, haha).

 

[Fabian]

If you read this part of my post again, your question will be answered:

It is designed to give significantly more power than the generator of their current design on the website.

but it has a lot of extra features including a 4,000 mAh lithium battery and 12 volt cigarette lighter receptacle to power 12 volt accessories, with a further option of additional 4,000 mAh batteries to increase the storage capacity if needed,

 

[Fabian]

All of the new gizmos are included in the new 12 volt lighting kit.
The new lighting kit does not appear on the website. You have to ask for it by name.

 

[scubaru89]

If you read this part of my post again, your question will be answered:

It is designed to give significantly more power than the generator of their current design on the website.

but it has a lot of extra features including a 4,000 mAh lithium battery and 12 volt cigarette lighter receptacle to power 12 volt accessories, with a further option of additional 4,000 mAh batteries to increase the storage capacity if needed,

I saw that it has a 4000 mAh battery but that would only run an HID headlight for maybe 1.5 hours? I was simply asking what is the actual amp output of the generator.

 

[Fabian]

I have no idea what the output is, but Nate said that the output is substantially increased and enough to comfortably recharge the 4,000 mAh battery.

Best to contact Nate through the Wonderful Creations website and ask him questions.

 

[scubaru89]

I have no idea what the output is, but Nate said that the output is substantially increased and enough to comfortably recharge the 4,000 mAh battery.

Best to contact Nate through the Wonderful Creations website and ask him questions.

Yeah I sent him a message; waiting for a reply.

I actually am looking to just run a 4L-BS battery from Advance Auto. I work there so I get a discount, it runs a 12V system with 10Ah of power. So a 35W light system will run for 3.5 hrs on that battery, and it only weights 3 lbs, haha.

 

[Fabian]

From what i understand, Nate is working his tail off to make the high output mini-generator, something really special.
I've yet to receive mine because i've kept upgrading the design and asking for even more functionality and significantly greater lithium battery capacity options.

 

[Deleted member 12676]

Why do you want so much candle power? I have 9 LED homemade lamp with rechargable AA batteries and a solar panel to recharge them mounted on the rear bike rack. Its candle power isn't much but I'm sure that doubling the number of LEDs would make it substantial. JNMotors has a 21 LED lamp that would probably be ideal.
I prefer to have a system that doesn't pull down engine power while running because these engines are so weak. With a solar panel you get constant recharge when you park it in the sunshine. Just figure out the total battery voltage and look around for a solar panel that puts out at least that amount of voltage. Radio Shack sells some.