Weekend Project: Mini Bike Light

Technology
Weekend Project: Mini Bike Light

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Ride safely at night with this easy to make Mini Bike Light. Get the PDF for this project here: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/10/weekend_project_mini_bike_light.html. More great projects at http://www.makezine.com

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Bikes


Ride safely at night with this easy to make Mini Bike Light.
Thanks go to Trevor Shannon for the original article in MAKE, Volume 14.
To download The Mini Bike Light video click here and subscribe in iTunes.
Check out the complete Mini Bike Light article in MAKE, Volume 14
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.
Here is the modified schematic using the LM3909 chip

13 thoughts on “Weekend Project: Mini Bike Light

  1. Nelson says:

    Hello,

    Maybe I’m wrong but on the datasheet the diodes are connected on the other way.

    Please confirm.

    Nelson

  2. tenax8.myopenid.com says:

    Be aware that in some places the cops don’t take a shine to having flashing blue lights on your bike, as they feel that is strictly THEIR gig.

  3. joecr says:

    In the podcast feed over at http://blog.makezine.com/archive/make_podcast/index.xml You link to the PDF for this project but forgot to include the video in the feed.

    1. KipKay says:

      @ joecr – The video link is right above the PDF post.

  4. mzl says:

    Flashing lights make it harder to judge your distance and speed. It is illegal in most of Europe.

  5. KipKay says:

    @mzi – It’s really so others can see you not so you can see where you are going.

    1. mzl says:

      Dear Kip,
      If you want to cross a street, it’s handy to know when you can cross the street. Knowing how far and how fast other traffic is going is helpful then.

      Florida might not be much of a biking area, but where i live there’s more bikes than cars, and have seen many problems regarding the flashy lights. It’s illegal for a reason.

  6. Philip Tallents says:

    But this is still way cool!

  7. Philip Tallents says:

    But this is still way cool!

  8. Philip Tallents says:

    Try http://www.picokit.com for a cheap DIY bike light – the front has flicker mode and back is just awesome visibility. Both come with Pre-programmed microchips. Just solder and construct them! Mine work great on AA rechargeables and both last for hours – even the front one which has heaps of power!
    The front one all fits in a 40mm PVC pipe (including the 3xAA batteries) with 19 UltraBright LEDs it blows this thing away.
    The back one is oval shaped with a funky pattern happening for high visibility.

  9. Philip Tallents says:

    Try http://www.picokit.com for a cheap DIY bike light – the front has flicker mode and back is just awesome visibility. Both come with Pre-programmed microchips. Just solder and construct them! Mine work great on AA rechargeables and both last for hours – even the front one which has heaps of power!
    The front one all fits in a 40mm PVC pipe (including the 3xAA batteries) with 19 UltraBright LEDs it blows this thing away.
    The back one is oval shaped with a funky pattern happening for high visibility.

  10. Glen Smith says:

    Just wondering… Can you use “High Brightness LED’s” for this project?

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