[ridewt]

Two questions:

1. Please recommend a light system that I would use for MT biking and maybe some road riding. I'd like to spend about $100 or less.

2. I have an old Nite Sun from the 80s that just sits in my basement. Last time I checked, it seemed dead. Is it possible to buy a new battery system still?

Thanks.

 

[fiddledoc]

I like Nightrider

I've had two Nightrider systems, both of which were very reliable. I'm now using the Classic, which has two beams, a 12 and 20 watt. It's more than what you want to spend,
but I got it for the long mountain rides I do, and didn't want to get stuck if a bulb went out.

There seem to be, like everything else on the bike market, an ever-expanding selection light systems, but I'll tell you why I like mine:
1. I like the pattern cast by the bulb. This is really important, and I've found that lots of lights have poorly-designed reflectors. I ride with a guy who swears by his Jet system,
but his beam looks thin to me. The Night rider beam is very well-dispersed and even.
2. It's well made
3. Good company service. My battery went out and they fixed it for free after 2 years.
4. Commonly stocked--You can get parts everywhere.

Nightrider makes a system for $100, which I would get but replace the 10 watt bulb with a
15-watt flood. My last system was the Pro-6, which had this setup, and I found it to be
the perfect bulb. I think that 10 watts, or even the 12 I'm now using is just a little underpowered for trail riding or high-speed descents. (I would have kept the Pro-6 and just replaced the battery, but the company has changed the connector system).

As for whether you can replace the battery for your Nite Sun, you should contact the company. It has to be the correct voltage. Some guys around here have taken worn-out batteries to Batteries Plus and the guy there has taken them apart and redid the battery packs.

good luck

 

[ridewt]

Thanks

I've had two Nightrider systems, both of which were very reliable. I'm now using the Classic, which has two beams, a 12 and 20 watt. It's more than what you want to spend,
but I got it for the long mountain rides I do, and didn't want to get stuck if a bulb went out.

There seem to be, like everything else on the bike market, an ever-expanding selection light systems, but I'll tell you why I like mine:
1. I like the pattern cast by the bulb. This is really important, and I've found that lots of lights have poorly-designed reflectors. I ride with a guy who swears by his Jet system,
but his beam looks thin to me. The Night rider beam is very well-dispersed and even.
2. It's well made
3. Good company service. My battery went out and they fixed it for free after 2 years.
4. Commonly stocked--You can get parts everywhere.

Nightrider makes a system for $100, which I would get but replace the 10 watt bulb with a
15-watt flood. My last system was the Pro-6, which had this setup, and I found it to be
the perfect bulb. I think that 10 watts, or even the 12 I'm now using is just a little underpowered for trail riding or high-speed descents. (I would have kept the Pro-6 and just replaced the battery, but the company has changed the connector system).

As for whether you can replace the battery for your Nite Sun, you should contact the company. It has to be the correct voltage. Some guys around here have taken worn-out batteries to Batteries Plus and the guy there has taken them apart and redid the battery packs.

good luck

How does one get in touch with Batteries Plus?

 

[homebrew]

Two questions:

1. Please recommend a light system that I would use for MT biking and maybe some road riding. I'd like to spend about $100 or less.

2. I have an old Nite Sun from the 80s that just sits in my basement. Last time I checked, it seemed dead. Is it possible to buy a new battery system still?

Thanks.

I think I have used them all (lights) and I have yet to find one that I would trust as a primary light for mountain biking for $100 or less. These type of lights could be used as a backup on shorter rides however. Good luck

 

[fiddledoc]

Batteries Plus

How does one get in touch with Batteries Plus?

Batteries Plus is a national chain. I can't speak for all of them, but there's a guy at the one in Medford, Oregon who has brought life back to bike light batteries by replacing bad cells.
Their number is (541)858-5103.

 

[xxl]

Two questions:

1. Please recommend a light system that I would use for MT biking and maybe some road riding. I'd like to spend about $100 or less.

2. I have an old Nite Sun from the 80s that just sits in my basement. Last time I checked, it seemed dead. Is it possible to buy a new battery system still?

Thanks.

You might want to look at their website. I justed plunged for a battery for my "vintage" Nightsun, and it works as nicely as ever. Company "service" there seems to be one guy whose purpose in life is making sure you're not trying to jury-rig systems; he can be quite frustrating to deal with.

 

[ridewt]

Thanks.

You might want to look at their website. I justed plunged for a battery for my "vintage" Nightsun, and it works as nicely as ever. Company "service" there seems to be one guy whose purpose in life is making sure you're not trying to jury-rig systems; he can be quite frustrating to deal with.

Just curious, what is the website and how much was the new battery? Thanks.

 

[xxl]

The battery was expensive, about $150, but it has a verrrry long run time. They also offer a cheaper battery, which is still $100 or so, and it's probably the same type of battery that came with your Nightsun back in the day. I think the website is, like, nightsun.com, or do a Google search.

 

[ridewt]

Battery

The battery was expensive, about $150, but it has a verrrry long run time. They also offer a cheaper battery, which is still $100 or so, and it's probably the same type of battery that came with your Nightsun back in the day. I think the website is, like, nightsun.com, or do a Google search.

I just tried to charge the battery for about 15 hours but still dead. So, I probably need a new battery. Man, that is expensive. I did read some of the company literature I had in the box and you're right about the "mission" of the company to avoid "backyard" experimenters and others who are not real customers.

 

[shawndoggy]

I just tried to charge the battery for about 15 hours but still dead. So, I probably need a new battery. Man, that is expensive. I did read some of the company literature I had in the box and you're right about the "mission" of the company to avoid "backyard" experimenters and others who are not real customers.

Buliding your own isn't hard (and can be fun!) if: (i) you are a do it yerselfer; and (ii) you know your way around your garage and you've used a soldering iron before. Example, if you've installed a car stereo, this will be a piece of cake.

First thing to do is figure out whether your system is 12 volt or 6 volt. Then you need to get the appropriate number of cells -- each cell is 1.2 volts -- so 5 for 6 volt and 10 for 12 volt.

Me, I've built four 6 volt batteries (needed lots of juice when I was into 24hr mtb racing). Got 3/4A sized cells from www.batterystation.com @ about $4 each ($20 total per battery), soldered 'em together and viola.

The other very important thing for light system maintenance is getting a good charger. Cheap ones will push current into your battery whether it's already charged or not. That's bad and will ruin the battery. A "smart" charger senses the state of charge and can even charge very fast while the battery is empty and then back off to a trickle once the battery is full. Do a google search for "[insert voltage] volt smart charger" for more info. Can't stress enough the importance of the charger in the system.

 

[ridewt]

Nightsun

Buliding your own isn't hard (and can be fun!) if: (i) you are a do it yerselfer; and (ii) you know your way around your garage and you've used a soldering iron before. Example, if you've installed a car stereo, this will be a piece of cake.

First thing to do is figure out whether your system is 12 volt or 6 volt. Then you need to get the appropriate number of cells -- each cell is 1.2 volts -- so 5 for 6 volt and 10 for 12 volt.

Me, I've built four 6 volt batteries (needed lots of juice when I was into 24hr mtb racing). Got 3/4A sized cells from www.batterystation.com @ about $4 each ($20 total per battery), soldered 'em together and viola.

The other very important thing for light system maintenance is getting a good charger. Cheap ones will push current into your battery whether it's already charged or not. That's bad and will ruin the battery. A "smart" charger senses the state of charge and can even charge very fast while the battery is empty and then back off to a trickle once the battery is full. Do a google search for "[insert voltage] volt smart charger" for more info. Can't stress enough the importance of the charger in the system.

I've checked their website now and see that they sell one battery for about 150 and another for $100. Question is, does it even make sense to spring for the battery without getting the new "smart" charger system? Would I just be buying old technology or is just a matter of buying a new charging system as well? thanks for your tips about do it yourself but I'm probably not up to that.

 

[larrywhoffman]

I like Nightrider

I've had two Nightrider systems, both of which were very reliable. I'm now using the Classic, which has two beams, a 12 and 20 watt. It's more than what you want to spend,
but I got it for the long mountain rides I do, and didn't want to get stuck if a bulb went out.

There seem to be, like everything else on the bike market, an ever-expanding selection light systems, but I'll tell you why I like mine:
1. I like the pattern cast by the bulb. This is really important, and I've found that lots of lights have poorly-designed reflectors. I ride with a guy who swears by his Jet system,
but his beam looks thin to me. The Night rider beam is very well-dispersed and even.
2. It's well made
3. Good company service. My battery went out and they fixed it for free after 2 years.
4. Commonly stocked--You can get parts everywhere.

Nightrider makes a system for $100, which I would get but replace the 10 watt bulb with a
15-watt flood. My last system was the Pro-6, which had this setup, and I found it to be
the perfect bulb. I think that 10 watts, or even the 12 I'm now using is just a little underpowered for trail riding or high-speed descents. (I would have kept the Pro-6 and just replaced the battery, but the company has changed the connector system).

As for whether you can replace the battery for your Nite Sun, you should contact the company. It has to be the correct voltage. Some guys around here have taken worn-out batteries to Batteries Plus and the guy there has taken them apart and redid the battery packs.

good luck

Is there anywhere I can replacement battery connectors. I have a battery for the light but cannot find the right connector to plug it into the light or charger.

 

[shrubs]

👎Nightrider. Maybe mine was an isolated experience, (it was not) but lights worked well for awhile until they didn't . CS was non-responsive. DIY fix, after no CS support, was difficult and temporary.
Many negative postings about Nightrider on the net. Too bad. Their stuff is nice when it works.

Batteries Plus has been good to me.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/?source=google&medium=search&campaign=ecommppc&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsCgBhDEARIsAE7RYh0eEXMJS1YSTZ5p4qtcomkF1oujRX5FcjWBbugzvLK2Y4s68tTDc_waApZMEALw_wcB

 

[cxwrench]

Is there anywhere I can replacement battery connectors. I have a battery for the light but cannot find the right connector to plug it into the light or charger.

Oddly enough the battery in my magic 8 ball is dead. Maybe if you told us which connector(s) you needed someone might be able to help. Like google. Or Amazon.