mountain_lion

Took mrs mountain_lion, her friend (novice MTBer) and myself just under 3h at a very leisurely pace (including many stops to look at the view, take photo's, talk sh!t etc). Red route only. Black route single track was too wet to ride (2008-07-28).

Yes, more info required, but I am guessing you have dirty cables. Inners can be cleaned to some extent, but outers are not that easy. Easy to replace and not very expensive, so I suggest replace the inners and outers. While you are at it, you might consider going for continuous outers. Less places for the dirt to get in. https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=54503 mountain_lion2009-07-08 01:01:40

Cool pics. Looks like Knysna was dry this year...

To the dark side of course! That MTB looks nice. Welcome

No manual supplied with the Buckpuck. With DIY, you need to do your own research. Fortunately Google has made that very easy. Lots of info on the manufacturer's website, even a PDF with typical application circuits for the Buckpuck. The circuit design required here does not go beyond school physics. You can also have a look at one of my previous lights from last year. The pics won't help you much, but I think I described my dimming circuit in that tread; maybe even in this thread too. Use the search function...

You wire the pot / resistors in the control circuit of the Buckpuck . Not the power circuit. Read the manual (you need the E = External dimming version). You choose the resistor values to meet your requirements for brightness from the specific LEDs. That is why I used a pot initially to measure what I wanted. LEDs differ in efficiency and forward voltage. My resistor values might not work for you (although for the same LED manufacturer and bin you should be able to get comparable results using the same driver and resistor values). If you want you can have a separate on/off switch in the power circuit. Then you don't need an off position in the control circuit. I just unplug from the battery when storing the light (need to unplug the battery in any case to charge it).

Just get the 3021-D-E-1000, order your own pot (or resistors) and wire it yourself. Will probably be cheaper too. I soldered mine on veroboard but if you don't want to solder, the connectors often used to wire front panel indicator lights and switches to a PC motherboard fit the pins. I don't like a pot for a bike light anyway. Awkward to adjust on the bike, you never get the setting you want and vibration can change it for you too. I used a pot to determine the 2 brightness settings I wanted and then used fixed resistors with a switch for the final build. With a 3 position toggle I can select off / bright / dim. mountain_lion2009-06-02 05:46:16

Musashi is correct. The Buckpuck drivers are available in SA from Rabtron. http://shop.rabtron.co.za/catalog/index.php?cPath=41_409_340

And new to night riding... which is even more fun; Started going off road at night in 1997 and still love it! With the lights we had back then, you could ride a trail at walking pace and get the same adrenalin rush as full speed by day!

Bling for the gadget freaks: http://www.cerevellum.com/ Cool, but $$$$... mountain_lion2009-05-27 14:43:01

I am using 2200mAh Li-ions. 4400mAh will be plenty for LEDs, but the higher capacity will be useful with the halogen. You might need to drop the voltage a bit for use with the 12V halogen. I am not sure how much over voltage they can take. 14.8V might be a bit high. You can of cource make do with the halogen and lead acid battery. It is all I had for years. We just went slower at night but still had fun...

I am on my 3rd Camelback bladder and pipe. All replaced under guarantee; got a new bite valve each time too (and kept the old ones) 1st one the lining inside the pipe began to peel off blocking the pipe. 2nd one the ring around the cap chaffed through the bladder causing it to leak; definite design / manufacturing fault. No questions asked. Great service.

Friday was also great and very informative. Thanks JB. We are just waiting for Cassie to post the photo's...

Thanks for BUMPing this thread. Just remembered that I put a banana in the fridge when I first saw it. Just tried it and was pleasantly surprised... very tasty! Will do this again if a banana over stays its welcome.

BL, you mean something like an insane quad MCE light ?