Delta Light update to LED

[metalchewy]

As we build up old patinas and sometimes rusty bikes, sometimes those holes in the fenders need an original style fender light.

Fender lights on ebay are usually out of my price range if they work. With current prices, you can pick up a cheap non working one for 30-50 bucks. Rusted inners or non-existant, no lenses, bad connectors, no switches, etc.

In this thread, I will take a Delta torpedo, that I picked up and convert it over to modern lighting. Rechargeable, bright, flashing if I want, etc.

It's a work in progress, and I'll figure it out as I go.

I've already got a start on it. This light came rust stained. I soaked it with Kroil for days and was not able to get any of the innards to loosen up.

Drilled out the rivets so I could clean it up.

While trying to disolve the rust, i Soaked it in phosphoric acid. Took the rust outta the white paint and turned it blue. Indicating it was lead painted.

Sanded it wet with gloves, some 3m scrubbers and some 320 grit plastic sand paper.

I picked up a three LED bicycle light that I will pre-fit before dealing with the paint and patina.

More to come as I make progress.

 

[metalchewy]

Ground the corners off that square base.

I was happy to see the threaded base would fit thru the original bezel and I can screw on the new bezel to hold it tightly in place.

Painted it up after a coat of etching primer. I used a satin white. Will shine it up with some polish after it cures for a bit.

 

[metalchewy]

Fun fact. These cheep $8 a set little bicycle headlights run on the same voltage as an 18650 Lion Battery.

Soldered in a single socket.

The charging system on board will also charge them, all be it at a slower rate, but will get a huge amount of hours in a single charge.

 

[metalchewy]

Put some jbweld on the back of the board to keep the wires from rattling around and breaking off. Also used some Ultra Blue silicon to try to glue in the switch cover

And JB welded some speed nuts into the case. Gotta wait for the silicon to dry before I can finish putting in together.

 

[Ulu]

Be careful about putting too much glue on the circuit boards, because they need to stay cool or the chip will burn up. You don’t want to insulate them in anyway.

 

[metalchewy]

Be careful about putting too much glue on the circuit boards, because they need to stay cool or the chip will burn up. You don’t want to insulate them in anyway.

Thanks for the tip, if I have problems, the next round wont have as much.

 

[metalchewy]

Last night I used a little wax paper and tape and filled in the rust holes, a rivet hole and the old switch hole. Easy to drill thru if I want a to run electric to the frame from the light.

Finished fitting in the battery and made sure the charging cord and the power switch can be reached.

Mounted it up. Will deal with making it match the paint another day.

 

[metalchewy]

Some night pics.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

thanks for sharing this. Very nice.

 

[metalchewy]

thanks for sharing this. Very nice.

I hope it helps many ratrodbikers to see some lights

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

In the past I was lazy and just looked for a flashlight that fit in the inside. Turn it on, close the lid, done. haha. I envy these elegant retrofits.

 

[metalchewy]

In the past I was lazy and just looked for a flashlight that fit in the inside. Turn it on, close the lid, done. haha. I envy these elegant retrofits.

That's how this started out. Couldn't find one the right size flashlight and compared the handlebar light on one of my bikes and it was a close fit. I Will use this method again for sure.

Total cost was pretty low compared to the gold people want for a working delta light.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Lion Battery

I'm so dumb at electricity, I just spent a minute looking that up. They actually exist too

"Hey look, this lithium ion battery has a cat on it..."

Oh.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I'm so dumb at electricity

Same

 

[metalchewy]

I'm so dumb at electricity, I just spent a minute looking that up. They actually exist too
View attachment 227101
"Hey look, this lithium ion battery has a cat on it..."

Oh.

Lithium Ion (LIon) batteries are used in cell phones laptops ebikes and more. Lead Acid batteries are in your car. Alkaline batteries are like your standard D or 9volt batteries. They come in all shapes and sizes, flat, round, cylinder, etc.

18650s (18mm diameter x 65.0mm long) are 3.7volts, are a single cell that have a fair amount of stored power and are lighter than similar sized alkaline batteries. Because of their increased capacity, they last a lot longer than their alkaline counterparts as well.

I suspect this Delta light has at least 24 hours or more of run time. Before needing to be charged. Still need to run a test.

 

[metalchewy]

A simpler way to switch over. If you have a working light and don't need to change the insides.

I picked up some E10 led bulbs from Amazon. Direct replacements.

Ruiandsion 4pcs 3V E10 LED Bulb 3030 3SMD White LED Replacement Bulb Upgrade for Headlamps Flashlights Torch Light,Negative Earth https://a.co/d/fYNW4iQ

New bulb is almost as bright. As the one I changed all inside.

With a working light its a lot easier to convert this way.