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metalchewy

For the love of the Ride 🚲 🔥
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Not an electriciane but ive been toying with this idea for awhile. Wanted to run inexpensive 12v Led lights on my bike, but not have to pack a ton of AAA battery's to power it.

I Pulled a soup can out of the recycle bin to be painted when I did my 40 Columbia. Fit perfectly between the struts yielding a way to mount without bolting it down.

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Simple design.

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Took a 2" led marker light and a cheap 3aaa battery pack. This one from a broken harbor freight flashlight. Some wires and this mystery voltage regulator to get to 12v.


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Solder input and output wires to it. After connected use the brass screw to set the voltage. Part XL6009. I got a half dozen on Amazon for 10 bucks.


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Butter knife to smooth down the sharp edge. Careful razor sharp. Paint if desire.

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Punch two holes in the back for the on off wire that complete the negative battery lead to the regulator

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Then an initial connect of everything. Put silicone on any bare wires. Set voltage while waiting for it to dry.

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Push it all together and mount.
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Twist the wires turn on.
 
I'm a big fan of 12V LED lights for bikes. What's battery life like with the AAAs bumped up to 12V?
 
So I ran two sets of batteries through it today. About 3 hours of rideable light.

Gonna stop by the trailer supply store to pick up a couple of white lights tomorrow.
 
Round two . 10v set on a tail light socket/led for a 6" headlight. Just need a toggle for the housing and it is ready.


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A lesson learned. Always have a output load
hooked to this unit before battery. Else diode gets hot enough to melt its own solder.

Next day or so will try LED strip to a wheel.
 

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