Does anyone here have any experience in making their own lights? If so, would it be possible to list out all the parts, where to buy them and how to build them?

It would be good to see an Aussie guide.

Cheers
Kelvin

Check out this aussie site containing a number of guides for home made night lights

http://sites.uws.edu.au/vip/fathersa/mtb.htm#lights :)

Yeah, Tony Fathers site is great, also try searching these forums, there are quite a few homebrew threads. Homebrew (Meteroid on the old boards) also has a great FAQ to all things homemade lighting.

Try this as a great place to start, there are heaps of great homebrew links on both pages:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=852

As for buying things, Dick Smith Electronics (I think they're changing their name to "Leading Edge Electronics" - at least in Tassie anyway) and Jaycar are great places to start. My main advice is to buy decent quality globes. They make or break a good system. :D

Also, most people start with a small SLA battery with their first systems, which is perfectly fine. However, if you can afford to, try and buy a cheap NiCd or NiMh pack and charger instead.

My reasoning behind this is that a SLA battery discharge curve is linear, which means that the voltage starts gradually dropping as soon as you turn your light on, where as a NiCd or NiMh will generally hold it's voltage pretty steadily until the last 10 minutes of it's burn time. Much better light for longer. As I said though, most people start with SLA batteries, and this is still a great option. :)

If you do want to get into the whole homemade battery pack stuff, try this thread:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=52685

Other then that, tell you local shop what globe you're running, and ask them to give you some wire the right gauge for the power that you will be drawing, a fuse (they'll be able to work out what size for you), and a nice switch, and maybe some connectors and you're all set.

A note on connectors, make sure that you get proper DC style connectors rather then flimsy audio connectors. You need something solid that won't come apart, and that can handle the power going through them.

Lastly (and perhaps that hardest part) is finding a way to mount the globes. This is usually what makes or breaks a good homemade system. Some people have found that plumbing connectors/flanges/pipes make great holders, it's just a matter of experimenting. There are a number of links within that first thread I mentioned that show a few ways of doing things.

I'm glad to see someone else building up their system this time of the year, I felt a bit silly building my system at the start of summer. At least I'll be able to get all of the bugs ironed out before the serious night-riding begins next winter!! :D :p

Cheers, Dave.

Thanks for all that guys. U know what would be really good? If someone actually started selling DIY sets that had all the parts and instructions so dummies like me dont end up electocuting themselves.

I'll give it a go soon and see how it all goes!

Cheers
Kelvin

No problem!! I have sometimes thought about how well a kit like that would sell, but I guess there's no fun in taking the easy way!! :p :D

Forgive my blatant advertising, but having said that, Eric at Nightlightning in New Zealand offers many of his lights as DIY kits: http://www.nightlightning.co.nz/ Very nice lights, and well priced.

Cheers, Dave