Potential Tail Light?

[ridethroughlife]

The pictures I have attached are of a multi-LED flashlight that I'd like some advice on how to turn it into a rear tail light. I'm going to put some sort of red lens in the case with it. But how might I wire this? It is the usual battery setup, negative and positive posts for a battery holder.

 

[ridethroughlife]

I have a bottle of Marvel Mystery oil I'm thinking about cutting a round piece out of, using it as the lens in the cap, then soldering the tail light connections to this. Any ideas about how much power this will draw? It's pretty bright, easily visible for around 2 miles. The headlights I'm using draw a lot of power, so by doing this I should be salvaging a bit of power that was previously being used for the old tail light. I don't know about the varying brightness of the tail light while running versus when stopping though. Any thoughts?

 

[plane_ben]

You will have to drop the voltage going to the LEDs. They only use 1.5V or something close to that. To drop the volts use resisters of the proper value wired in-line on the hot lead for brake, and tail light. I did driver light and turn signals in my VW van, but I forget the numbers. Any good electronic supply could help you set it up.

 

[Robbo]

this has been done with a maglite torch... there is even one for sale at the moment on site! by Hooligans..

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11586

Hope this helps your cause! good luck I think its a great idea, I love anything different and inventive and this is both...

.. Chris aka Robbo ..

 

[ridethroughlife]

I like the idea of using a reflector as a lens. It's much more sturdy than the thin plastic of the MM bottle. It would refract the light better as well. If someone could provide more accurate voltage numbers, types of resistors [I'm unfamiliar with them] and maybe a basic wiring diagram, that would be super helpful.

I love how quick I got several great responses.

 

[DogBunny]

I did something very similar a few years ago. Gut the maglite, and install a 12 volt red 2057 LED bulb in a 2057 lamp base, and you will have a tail/brake light. The only catch is that I think your maglite is too small...

Here is how you make a single wattage LED work as a tail/brake light. More info here:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=718852