Is There a Quality Hardwired E-bike Headlight?

[6zfshdb]

I usually use a self powered, handlebar mounted bike headlight (Outbound Lighting Trail EVO), but don't always carry it on every ride. If I don't think I'll need it, it's just another accessory to mount before starting out. Last week, I took an evening ride and lost track of time. It got dark before I realized it and was forced to use the pitiful OEM light on the bike. It took forever to get back and it was an unnerving ride on a rough trail.

As a result, I'm now looking to upgrade totally inadequate OEM light with something brighter. That way, I can turn it on and off with the bike display and leave it permanently mounted. I'll likely need a relay, since the OEM wiring is just 20 gauge. The bike has a 12V power supply, so the light could be either 12V or 52V if I wire it direct.

Any recommendations for a quality hardwired light? I've searched extensively, both here on EBR and online, but most I've seen are cheap with poor reviews. I've even considered automotive and even lights for tractors. I don't mind spending a few extra $$ for one that will hold up to rough trail riding.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I'm sure there must be something to fit your needs.... have you looked at motorcycle lights?
Another alternative could be a light bar with 3 bike lights set up in a tight fan pattern.

I'm using this basic variable voltage input light with 300 lumens and it fits my needs and has been dependable. I rarely ride at night, especially on an unlit trail.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800061116763.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.52.75a21802gVebUm&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

[Gionnirocket]

Harbor Freight actually has a wide selection of off-road lights with good reviews.

https://www.harborfreight.com/lighting/automotive-lighting/flood-lights-spot-lights/off-road.html

 

[BlackHand]

Do you know how many watts your motor's light output can feed?


Lupine makes quality lights

E-Bike Lights | Bicycle Lights - Lupine Lighting Systems

Lupine's e-bike lights feature sensor-controlled daytime running light with traffic-friendly low beam up to 2800-lumens. Shop ebike lights now!

www.lupinenorthamerica.com

 

[Gionnirocket]

Do you know how many watts your motor's light output can feed?


Lupine makes quality lights

E-Bike Lights | Bicycle Lights - Lupine Lighting Systems

Lupine's e-bike lights feature sensor-controlled daytime running light with traffic-friendly low beam up to 2800-lumens. Shop ebike lights now!

www.lupinenorthamerica.com

Wow, those are nice.... but do they provide lubrication at checkout?

 

[stompandgo]

Supernova make some of the best. It's the reason they are chosen as OEM lights by manufacturers. They are not cheap. They all work within the limitations of e-bike motor light circuits.

Magicshine is another high quality light, but it would have to be adapted to your motor.

You need to find out the maximum wattage draw for the lighting circuit on your motor, and choose a light that draws less than that.

 

[BlackHand]

Thanks, I didn't realize Magicshine offered hardwired lights too.

 

[CanNik]

No.

That's why 99.99% use proper ones

Powerbank, USB, and great light I have 2

BIKIL Bike Lights Set Front and Back, USB C Rechargeable 6400 mAh Super Bright 2400 Lumen Bicycle light,Easy to Install Bike Headlight and Taillight Combinations,Road and Mountain Cycling Light : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop BIKIL Bike Lights Set Front and Back, USB C Rechargeable 6400 mAh Super Bright 2400 Lumen Bicycle light,Easy to Install Bike Headlight and Taillight Combinations,Road and Mountain Cycling Light. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[6zfshdb]

Do you know how many watts your motor's light output can feed?


Lupine makes quality lights

E-Bike Lights | Bicycle Lights - Lupine Lighting Systems

Lupine's e-bike lights feature sensor-controlled daytime running light with traffic-friendly low beam up to 2800-lumens. Shop ebike lights now!

www.lupinenorthamerica.com

No, it isn't published anywhere I can see. It can't be much, since the wire looks to be the size of a human hair.

 

[6zfshdb]

Do you know how many watts your motor's light output can feed?


Lupine makes quality lights

E-Bike Lights | Bicycle Lights - Lupine Lighting Systems

Lupine's e-bike lights feature sensor-controlled daytime running light with traffic-friendly low beam up to 2800-lumens. Shop ebike lights now!

www.lupinenorthamerica.com

I'm looking for some serious light, in the neighborhood of 1000+ lumens. I doubt my controller & wiring will handle that kind of wattage.

I'm considering this one from Lezyne:

E-BIKE CLASSIC HB StVZO E1000+

E-BIKE CLASSIC HB StVZO E1000+ LED front light for E-Bikes with StVZO compliance, Hi/Low Beam, remote switch, IPX7 waterproofing, and BOSCH BES3 compatibility.

ride.lezyne.com

It has a remote switch, which will save me the trouble of rigging a relay to use the display. It uses 12V and I can power it with the 12V buck converter I already have on the bike. Big $$ though, but might be worth it for the near plug & play setup.

 

[Chazmo]

6, I wish I knew where the headlight on my Juiced RCS came from. It’s 1050 lumens and it’s small. It comes mounted on the crown of the fork. They did a great job with this, but I do suspect it’s proprietary.

I have a used one on my parts spare bike if you’re interested in having it (let me know); I think it unlikely I’ll ever need it. Can give you more details by private message. Best of luck.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

How about mounting a 20” light bar? Might be able to mount it to the handlebars, but you’ll have to get creative.

 

[6zfshdb]

Do you know how many watts your motor's light output can feed?


Lupine makes quality lights

E-Bike Lights | Bicycle Lights - Lupine Lighting Systems

Lupine's e-bike lights feature sensor-controlled daytime running light with traffic-friendly low beam up to 2800-lumens. Shop ebike lights now!

www.lupinenorthamerica.com

Found the specs for the bike's OEM headlight

It's the Axendo 40 XE. I'm not sure what they mean by a posted power consumption of 1,8 watts. 1.8 watts or 1 - 8 night / day variable?
The voltage is listed at 36 / 48V and the light output is 40 lux.

Any way you look at it, the dome light in my truck is brighter. I can't believe they would put a pitiful light like this on a bicycle (especially an e-bike) and expect someone to be able to ride with it at night.

 

[PCeBiker]

,... have you looked at motorcycle lights?

I found these motorcycle headlights on Aliexpress,..

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrGTwp3

They run off any voltage from 8-85 VDC, so you can power them directly from your battery without needing to use the Buck converter or headlight output.
(The headlight output on my KT controller is only rated at 0.2 amps at 48 VDC)

 

[Chazmo]

How about mounting a 20” light bar? Might be able to mount it to the handlebars, but you’ll have to get creative.

That’s a cool idea, but 126W?? That’d be a lot more to support than just mounting on the handlebars. You need special wiring for that.

 

[Chazmo]

Found the specs for the bike's OEM headlight

View attachment 200559
View attachment 200560

It's the Axendo 40 XE. I'm not sure what they mean by a posted power consumption of 1,8 watts. 1.8 watts or 1 - 8 night / day variable?
The voltage is listed at 36 / 48V and the light output is 40 lux.

Any way you look at it, the dome light in my truck is brighter. I can't believe they would put a pitiful light like this on a bicycle (especially an e-bike) and expect someone to be able to ride with it at night.

That is pitiful. Although I’ve never figured out how to convert lux to lumens. That seems way underpowered though.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@6zfshdb please research Lezyne Hecto E-Bike lights.

 

[Gionnirocket]

That is pitiful. Although I’ve never figured out how to convert lux to lumens. That seems way underpowered though.

Lumens is the total light output of the lamp
Lux is the intensity that reaches the surface you are trying to light.
So the same 100 lumens bulb will have a higher lux in a spot light configuration than in a flood light configuration because the beam is tighter/smaller.

 

[stompandgo]

@6zfshdb please research Lezyne Hecto E-Bike lights.

I was doing just that at the shop today for a Cannondale Tesoro that was missing the front light. I ended up with a 550 lumen German standard Lezyne for around $100 retail. It takes about 9 watts. The Bosch drive unit can provide 18 watts. Good

 

[Slaphappygamer]

That’s a cool idea, but 126W?? That’d be a lot more to support than just mounting on the handlebars. You need special wiring for that.

Something like this would work.

Amazon.com: DC HOUSE 48V/36V to 12V Step-Down Converter, 20A 240W Waterproof DC-DC Step-Down Regulator Transformer, Voltage Regulator with Fuse, Suitable for Golf Carts, Off-Road Vehicles, and Other Equipment : Electronics

Amazon.com: DC HOUSE 48V/36V to 12V Step-Down Converter, 20A 240W Waterproof DC-DC Step-Down Regulator Transformer, Voltage Regulator with Fuse, Suitable for Golf Carts, Off-Road Vehicles, and Other Equipment : Electronics

a.co