Integrated LED Strip Lights?

[ajtosh77]

Has anyone tried to have integrated led strip lights on their bike using the bike battery somehow (instead of having to mount a new battery). Or other cool lighting options?

I did a bunch of fun stuff to my radwagon 4 bike this summer (paint, hydraulic brakes, larger disc brakes, motor, & controller):

https://jarxconcepts.com/radwagon4-transformation/

Was thinking that integrating some lights would be cool for the holiday season, but was hoping to avoid having to mount a new power source.

Andrew

[John Rose]

What about the USB port?
And get some of these - https://amzn.to/3uFD6WI
33 feet, 100 LEDs, and a remote control for colour changes, flashing patterns, etc.

5W/5V=1A, so it should be okay.

[ajtosh77]

What about the USB port?
And get some of these - https://amzn.to/3uFD6WI
33 feet, 100 LEDs, and a remote control for colour changes, flashing patterns, etc.

5W/5V=1A, so it should be okay.

Awesome idea. Thank you!

[rjp]

Watch out what you hook up to the upgraded 35 amp controller on the lighting circuit. I have read that anything brighter than the small stock headlight will fry the controller. Even the upgraded Rad light is to much. Contact Area 13 for more info. 

[John Rose]

5W/5V=1A, so it should be okay.

By that I mean "probably?".
It's hard to say, since the stated current draw on the lighting product page might just be an approximation, as well as the RadWagon specs maybe being an approximation.
Maybe the RadWagon USB outlet has some kind of current-limiting circuit (other than a non-replacable fuse), but it would be nice to find a smaller set that uses only 3 or 4 watts. Sadly, they all seem to say they consume 5W, which almost makes me think they're just guessing. Some of them give the power rating in "watt-hours", which make no sense at all when they don't know what the power source will be.

Waiddaminnit - Check these out: https://amzn.to/3RroRhm

3 Watts, and can use either USB or 3 AA batteries. I'd go for a set like that. We have a couple of battery-only strings similar to that (but only one colour, no flashing patterns and no remote control) around the house, and they last a long time (at least a whole night) on one set of batteries.

[Naranja_CT5+]

@ajtosh77
I am going to steal your idea but instead of taking power away from the main battery I would use a couple of 18650 batteries and a dynamo. They are small and lightweight enough that I can fit it anywhere.

[John Rose]

I am going to steal your idea but instead of taking power away from the main battery I would use a couple of 18650 batteries and a dynamo. They are small and lightweight enough that I can fit it anywhere.

A dynamo? Like the one of these, spun by the tire?


Don't forget that the tire is at least partly turned by the motor which is powered by the main battery. You'll either be using the main battery to drive the dynamo, or else creating extra drag when you pedal without pedal assist.

[handlebar]

I am going to steal your idea but instead of taking power away from the main battery I would use a couple of 18650 batteries and a dynamo. They are small and lightweight enough that I can fit it anywhere.

A dynamo? Like the one of these, spun by the tire?

Don't forget that the tire is at least partly turned by the motor which is powered by the main battery. You'll either be using the main battery to drive the dynamo, or else creating extra drag when you pedal without pedal assist.

This one won't drag on the tire.