How to Make a Solar-Powered Bike Light
Bike lights are a necessary feature for a biker's safety, and it is always a good idea to have a few lights on your bike for night rides. Lights can generally be purchased relatively cheaply at any bike shop, but you can also build a bike light for next to nothing by using a cheap solar garden light and an old deodorant casing. The resulting light will be durable and bright.
Things You'll Need
- Old stick of deodorant
- Solar garden light
- Silicone
- High-speed rotary tool
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue
- C-clamp
- Two screws
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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Disassembling the Parts
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1
Remove any deodorant left over from the stick as well as the screw mechanism used to push the deodorant up. Clean the empty container thoroughly to remove any deodorant residue.
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2
Disassemble the solar garden light. The solar light should consist of a solar cell and a battery wired to a circuit board. Make sure to carefully preserve the light sensor. The light sensor is a small cadmium cell that is typically located somewhere near the actual solar cell. This cadmium cell switches the mechanism on when it is dark and off when it is light. This serves to preserve the life of the battery.
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3
Take note of where each component (the battery, the solar cell and the cadmium cell) attaches to the circuit board. Once you are sure of the design, unhook all of the components so that you can work with them more easily.
Assembling the Light
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4
Measure the size of the solar cell on the top of the case and use a the high-speed rotary tool to cut out the hole. You should also drill a smaller hole in the top of the case for the cadmium cell.
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5
The circuit board should be positioned so that the LEDs are close to the top of the deodorant cap. Take note of where the circuit board and battery are positioned so that you can drill the mounting holes later.
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6
Set the solar cell and the cadmium cell into their respective holes on the top of the case and ensure they are properly connected to the circuit board.
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7
Put the case's cap back on over the LEDs. Use the silicone to seal the edges around the solar cell, the cadmium cell and the cap so that the light is waterproof.
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8
Mount the light to your bike by screwing the C-clamp down to the bottom of the light's case so that it fits around your handlebars or any other bar on your bike.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You could simply drill a hole in the top of the case and run the wires from the solar cell to the circuit board and battery through it, but it will be more durable and aerodynamic if you set the cell into the case. Also, be sure to take note of where your circuit board and battery are positioned in the case to avoid damaging them when mounting the light.
