The headlight for a bicycle. How to make a spotlight on a bicycle?

The headlight for a bicycle is an integral part of this vehicle. This is simply a vital necessity if night trips or moving in the dark are carried out. This is especially true for the winter-spring period. It's getting dark early, but you want to be on the bike. Plus, this is additional safety for all road users. Such lighting is often mounted on children's bicycles. This allows the baby to feel like a real cyclist, even if he is only a year old. He can turn on and off the headlights light himself.

Location of the headlights

There are several options for accommodation:

• The front on the steering wheel is a traditional accommodation option, but not the best one. The light has the form of a spot, with the angle of incidence that comes out as a result, the relief of the road is poorly seen.
• In front of the fork - this mount gives more light, has the shape of a long ellipse, which allows you to better see the road.
• Front on the fork, on both sides - a bicycle headlight, placed in this way, can illuminate the road as much as possible. Such an installation is practiced for night driving through difficult terrain.
• If a taillight is mounted on a bicycle, this helps to identify the cyclist on the road.

Of course, you can use the cataphores, but the use of headlights is an option that will ensure maximum safety. These are the main accommodation options. In addition, if desired, you can install additional on the frame, in the area of the rear wheel or on the steering wheel. Also, a bicycle headlight can be called a flashlight on the helmet of a bicyclist.

What are the lighting elements?

The modern headlight for a bicycle usually has one LED, which is powered by a battery or battery. Such lighting can have different sizes and installation schemes. Mostly it is fixed by means of special clamps on the steering wheel. In the role of headlights for a bicyclist with a somewhat limited budget, regular flashlights of different power and, correspondingly, of different light power can act. They are mounted on the steering wheel just to the left of the central part.

There are special bicycles, the manufacturers of which take into account all the requirements of cyclists: a strong luminous flux, a significant duration of work, a reliable casing and glass, convenient fasteners, there are several lighting modes. Also there are variants of dynamo headlights. This means that the light appears with the movement of the wheel of a bicycle. The intensity of light is directly dependent on the speed of movement. They have a big plus - they do not require the control of the charge of the batteries, although some car enthusiasts consider this lighting to be the last century.

Characteristics of the rear and headlights

The headlight for a bicycle can play a different purpose depending on the setting. So, the front lights the way, and the rear lights out the vehicle on the road. Thus, the glow of the headlight is identical to that of the car - there may be yellow or white light. The number of LEDs or other lighting elements is limited only by the desire and capabilities of the owner. The tail light on the bike (security lantern) has a red glow that will not allow the cyclist to remain unnoticed. Mount it should be in such a place so that when moving its light nothing interferes. Its dimensions can be different - from one LED to several tens. As for the other additional headlights, they can be different at the discretion of the cyclist. Everyone can have different forms and attachments.

Advantages of a homemade headlight

The headlight for a bicycle, manufactured independently, is primarily cheaper. On safety, you can not save, but the purchase of a specialized bicycle lantern will cost very much, besides, it does not guarantee excellent quality.

Having made the headlight with your own hands, you can take into account all requirements and wishes regarding brightness, installation options and power supply. The necessary materials for the production of a bicycle lighting fixture can be purchased at any lighting store.

Manufacturing of a headlight

How to make a spotlight on a bicycle? The following components will be required for this:

• LEDs in the amount that is required for a particular case.
• The collimator, provides illumination on the sides.
• Batteries type AA or batteries.
• Current-limiting resistor.
• Suitable housing.
• Lens.
• Glue.

The manufacturing process should begin with gluing the collimator to the lens. Next, this design should be wrapped with electrical tape and make holes for the removal of wires. The latter is most conveniently attached to the switch, which, in turn, is connected with batteries or batteries. Then you need to install the resulting headlight on its proper place.

Headlights for specialized tricycle

Ironically, tricycles are also for adults. A tricycle with a headlight requires additional lighting sources, the main task of which will be to designate the dimensions of such vehicles. Often, such units are moving stalls with food or original carts for the sale of flowers, toys, souvenirs. Given that they are most common in tourist places, they just need a taillight, front and additional. Since it will be very bright and attractive from the outside.

A tricycle with a headlight is equipped with powerful lighting. If the front lighting is installed, as in the conventional (on the steering wheel, above the fork or on it), then the rear is better mounted either on the frame in the area of the rear wheel, or at the back of the basket. The usual place on the tube between the seat and the frame can be closed, and the main function of such headlights will not be performed - the designation of a cyclist on the road.

Children's bicycles with a spotlight

Often manufacturers of children's bicycles equip them with a headlight so that a small cyclist can feel like a real road user. The construction of light devices in them is somewhat different. Children's tricycle with a headlight does not require very powerful LEDs and a complex security system, which provides a red rear light - this is only an additional accessory. After all, a kid of five years old, until such a age such toys are calculated, he will not move himself along the street and for him there is no need to clearly identify himself on the road.

In addition, such vehicles are used mainly in yards, parks, playgrounds and only under the supervision of adults. In most cases, the headlamp in such bicycles is placed directly on the handlebars. As mentioned before, it does not have any special functional significance, so it can be placed on the steering wheel of the toy.

Power Bicycle Headlights

Most of the models of bicycle headlights are powered by batteries. This is very convenient, because they can be repeatedly charged. And if the adult bike lights will be turned on as needed, then a children's bicycle with a headlight with a small driver who when he wants, then turns off and on, you need to equip with spare batteries. They can be worn with you just in case. After all, a frustrated child, and this is what he will become if he can not turn on the lighting of his bicycle - it is a "thunderstorm of seas and oceans".

As for the technical characteristics of the batteries, they must maintain a minimum of 2,000 lumens of light. Such properties are possessed by batteries of type 18650, voltage at them 3,4V, capacity - up to 5000 mA / h. The more batteries, the longer it will be possible to drive in the twilight or darkness. In stock, you can have standard AAA batteries, which by combining in a special cartridge are able to compare with one battery with the characteristics described above.

Lamp installation

Most often, the headlamp fasteners have a plastamass base, which is attached to the handlebar, above the fork, directly on it or on the seat frame (for the rear lights) and has the principle of securing the clamps. And this means that it is installed in its place and clamped with bolts for reliable fixation. Such fastenings refer primarily to the use of conventional flashlights as headlights.

As for specialized portable bicycle headlights, the models already provide a convenient fastening, in addition, it is designed for constant movement. That is, it means that the cyclist can, leaving his vehicle in the parking lot, remove the headlight and take it with him, as it costs a lot, but temptation to thieves does not want to be tempted. There are also bicycle models that are equipped with a built-in headlight. Most often these are children's options - for example, the bicycle Azimut Lamborghini, its headlight is mounted in the steering wheel, it is more like the one that is installed on mopeds or motorcycles.

Headlamp Shape

The shape of the headlights can be varied and limited only by desire, possibilities and imagination, especially if it concerns home-made models. The market for such products offers such basic configurations:

• The headlights are round or oval. Most often in such models, one or two light sources. In the role of such can act as light-emitting diodes, xenon lights, very rarely incandescent lamps.
• The headlights are square or rectangular, such options are usually self-made.
• The tail lights are round, oval, rectangular. They are somewhat larger in size, since they have an important function of indicating a cyclist on the road.

In addition, the headlights may vary in size. Most often, large round mounts on children's models, such as the Trike bike (with a headlight).

Indicators for correct headlamp selection

As a rule, lanterns and headlights for bicycles have a waterproof housing. Among the important performance indicators are:

• LED lighting - these sources are able to work many times longer than, for example, halogen. They also have the ability to reproduce a moderate or bright light. They are much stronger than other lamps. That is why they are often used in transport for the youngest. An example is the bicycle "Lamborghini" with a headlight.
• Lumens. The so-called light flux definition unit is called. It characterizes the intensity of light and measures it at an identical distance from the object.
• Ray. For the supporters of night driving, the best option is the front light, which has a narrow focus and a low dispersion factor.
• A very good option would be if the model provides for several modes of light intensity and flashing. This will significantly save battery power, and therefore continue the time without recharging.

A little generalization

As it becomes clear, there are many options for equipping your bicycle with lighting. The main thing is to understand what a minimum set is needed for comfortable driving and safety. All other additional lamps, lights and flashlights can be installed at will and are limited only by the imagination of the cyclist.