Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 12:27:16 +0000 (GMT) From: Wookey Subject: Re: On Sat 07 Nov, Rob MacLeod wrote: > Second question: given that *all* I need is a front light--no wires, > batteries, or switches--what other sources of lights are there? I have > been using a 6 volt system but would happily switch to 12 if that had > advantages. Well, there's plenty of options. Other will no doubt tell you about the various commercial heads you can get (easy, but too 'stealable' for your application). The classic 12V 'plumbing/tin can light' with an MR16 bulb and some plumbing bits is cheap simple and looks nasty, but it is very hard to get bulbs less than 20W which give you a low runtime or big battery (and requires changing to 12V). My personal favourite is using an old caving/mining lamp headset. These are readily available from caving gear shops for about GBP5-10. They take either MES or PF bulbs (you can change the fitting for either). Some even have metal reflectors, although I have had no problems running a 10W bulb in a plastic reflector. Bulbs of 1,2,3,4,6,10W are available in these forms (more choice in MES then PF). Completely waterproof, impossible to break, includes a switch which you can use, bypass, or ignore. For mounting you can either use a snoopy (bit of inner tube), or (much better) a charger-mount designed for these headsets. No tools required to open the headset (except a strong grip!) A cheaper option is just to use any old dynamo bike light. I'm not sure how big a bulb you can put in before they melt though... I'd expect it to be fine up to at least 6W. Some of these lights have very effective beam patterns. I like a 6V system, because then I can easily switch to dynamo back-up if my battery dies. Wookey -- Aleph One Ltd, Bottisham, CAMBRIDGE, CB5 9BA, UK Tel (00 44) 1223 811679 work: http://www.aleph1.co.uk/ play: http://www.chaos.org.uk/~wookey/