2017 Raleigh Redux IE - Install Lighting?

[dsvogel]

After test-riding a number eBikes in and around the Atlanta area, I settled on the Raleigh Redux IE. It is impressive up hills despite the seemingly low wattage of the motor (I've learned that more watts doesn't necessarily mean more/better assist). It's also got that stealth look, with a really good fit for me, a good weight at about 48 pounds, and decent price point. Very happy so far.

The Brose system includes two little electric leads, which produce a constant 6 volts, and the computer has a "Light" button. I purchased the Light & Motion Nip 800 on the recommendation of both Raleigh and the bike shop I purchased the Raleigh from. The headlight is tiny, but puts out some amazing light for such a small form factor.

I'm curious if anyone owns this bike (or another Brose-equipped bike) and has successfully installed a headlight system on it? I'm running into some issues with how the lighting system works, including turning it off, and have reached out to both Raleigh and Brose for assistance. Wondering if anyone else has had problems or success installing a headlight on the Brose?

I'll update this thread with any info from the vendors.

 

[Jtb]

Hi!
I’ve been looking for a redux ie for quite some time. Can you please let me know where you bought yours? I live in Atlanta as well.

Thanks much!
B

 

[dsvogel]

I bought mine at Electric Bike Specialists in Chattanooga. Those guys were awesome to work with, and really know their stuff. I wound up working with Lewis, who is very knowledgeable and friendly and spent a lot of time with me as I tried to figure out what I liked and wanted. There was absolutely no sales pressure. I spent half the day there trying out different models of their bikes, including some of their aftermarket kit builds. When my Redux IE bike came in, Lewis called me and said he just so happened to be coming down to Atlanta, and wanted to know if I'd like it delivered. Totally didn't expect that. Great guys, highly recommended.

I've got a few hundred miles on the Redux IE and it's rock solid AWESOME!

 

[Chandlee EBS]

Thanks for the praise, @dsvogel!

We've installed that lighting on a couple of Redux IEs now. I believe you were the one that informed us that the Redux uses European programming so its always on when the bike is on.

Being in Atlanta, I would recommend putting secondary blinker on the left side of the front fork facing left. Too many turning cars don't pick up on the straight forward lights, especially when you're at a cross walk. Serfas is my favorite light brand, but there's tons of good stuff. Check out https://www.bikelightdatabase.com for in-depth reviews.

Happy riding, man!

 

[samiaE]

I am also in love with my new Redux ie! But I do wish I had control of the lights. They are even on when I am charging the bike. I heard that Raleigh can fix this with a firmware update. Anyone heard of that before? Are your lights on when charging too?

 

[dsvogel]

It IS possible to make head/tail lights that are wired into the battery turn OFF and STAY OFF. I wanted to take some time before posting an update to make sure my assessment of the functioning of lights on the Raleigh Redux IE was accurate. I purchased a Light & Motion Nip 800 headlight and Tuck tail light, and wired them into the existing female blade connectors that come with the bike. The headlight connector is coming out of the top of the downtube, and the other was located on the left chainstay of my bike.

I had emailed Raleigh's electric bike division about this issue, eventually communicating with President Larry Pizzi, who was extremely helpful and interested in this problem. I also emailed Light&Motion support, Brose GmbH who couldn't help and suggested I contact BMZ GmbH (the battery manufacturer)... but got nowhere with them.

I ultimately discovered that my propensity to always turn the bike off at the battery was causing the erratic blinking light behavior. So to make this a quick explanation, here are the three things to know about turning off your lights on this particular bike:

The Light button on the computer doesn't work. Like you, I really wanted this to work. Larry indicated that they were following the European standard of having the lights always on for Class 3 eBikes, and therefore the Light button on the computer would not have any effect on the lights at all. There won't be a firmware update or any kind of "fix" to make this button work on the bike. I find it pretty easy to reach down and adjust the Nip 800 light directly without looking. I did let Larry know that the Brose manual that comes with the bike has a section about the functionality of this Light button that they need to be aware of.

You must turn the computer off FIRST. So the trick is to turn off the computer first. Hitting the power button at the top of the computer also turns off the lights. When you then turn off the battery (if you are so inclined) the lights stay off. No more blinking. This is the only way to get the lights to stay off, short of removing the battery altogether.

Moving the bike can cause the lights to blink. You get the lights turned off, move your bike, and now what the heck?! They are blinking again!! I think this may be triggered by the wheel magnet on the back tire moving past the sensor. When this happens, you have to turn the bike ON at the battery, and then turn the computer off again.
​

Not the most ideal solution, but I'm happy that it no longer looks like I'm keeping an aircraft parked in my garage at night. I've been VERY happy with the Nip/Tuck system and the amount of light they both provide. I also rather like that the lights come on without me thinking about it.

Lastly, if you are interested in using proper male blade connectors to fit the female connectors know that these are 2.8mm or 0.110 inch wide connectors. I purchased item #MST1620 from Cycle Terminal (link to the 0110 connectors page), and wound up snipping the ends of the blade to shorten it a bit. Worked like a charm! They are so cheap that I got a few extra in case I screwed one up. And I did. I also used dielectric grease and heat shrink tubing for the ultimate weather proofing. There are ample videos you can find that show you how to properly crimp a blade on a wire.

Let me know if you have questions, or "Like" this post if you found it helpful.

 

[samiaE]

Hey thanks for the update. I did figure out you can turn of the display/computer after starting the charger to turn the lights off. This is some sort of standby mode? But what I find hard to believe is that they do not intend to fix the light switch with firmware updates. I mean seriously, why limit functionality? I get the safety of keeping them on but on a long ride with the battery getting low, it seems a good option to not use more battery than needed. I had the shop install Supernova lights front and rear. Bright! But no blinking and no switches to turn off.

 

[cbmojo]

After test-riding a number eBikes in and around the Atlanta area, I settled on the Raleigh Redux IE. It is impressive up hills despite the seemingly low wattage of the motor (I've learned that more watts doesn't necessarily mean more/better assist). It's also got that stealth look, with a really good fit for me, a good weight at about 48 pounds, and decent price point. Very happy so far.

The Brose system includes two little electric leads, which produce a constant 6 volts, and the computer has a "Light" button. I purchased the Light & Motion Nip 800 on the recommendation of both Raleigh and the bike shop I purchased the Raleigh from. The headlight is tiny, but puts out some amazing light for such a small form factor.

I'm curious if anyone owns this bike (or another Brose-equipped bike) and has successfully installed a headlight system on it? I'm running into some issues with how the lighting system works, including turning it off, and have reached out to both Raleigh and Brose for assistance. Wondering if anyone else has had problems or success installing a headlight on the Brose?

I'll update this thread with any info from the vendors.

Hey DS...where are the light leads located on the Redux? How do I get to them? Thanks

 

[dsvogel]

Good question! Mine were mostly hidden under the plastic spiral wire management wrap, but sticking out just enough that I happened to notice them. At first I thought there was only one pair of leads in the front, but later discovered a pair down by the rear wheel, on the side with the kickstand. Here’s some photos to show exactly where mine were located.

Front...

Rear...

 

[cbmojo]

one last question you can still control the light from the light's on and off switch correct?

 

[dsvogel]

Yes, on the headlight you can change the modes from high, medium, low, and pulse, but never off. I find it easy enough to reach down and change it if I need to. The taillight has a button, but it does not appear to do anything. The only way to completely turn them off is via the computer. And they will automatically come on when you turn the bike on at the battery.

 

[Anup]

It IS possible to make head/tail lights that are wired into the battery turn OFF and STAY OFF. I wanted to take some time before posting an update to make sure my assessment of the functioning of lights on the Raleigh Redux IE was accurate. I purchased a Light & Motion Nip 800 headlight and Tuck tail light, and wired them into the existing female blade connectors that come with the bike. The headlight connector is coming out of the top of the downtube, and the other was located on the left chainstay of my bike.

I had emailed Raleigh's electric bike division about this issue, eventually communicating with President Larry Pizzi, who was extremely helpful and interested in this problem. I also emailed Light&Motion support, Brose GmbH who couldn't help and suggested I contact BMZ GmbH (the battery manufacturer)... but got nowhere with them.

I ultimately discovered that my propensity to always turn the bike off at the battery was causing the erratic blinking light behavior. So to make this a quick explanation, here are the three things to know about turning off your lights on this particular bike:

The Light button on the computer doesn't work. Like you, I really wanted this to work. Larry indicated that they were following the European standard of having the lights always on for Class 3 eBikes, and therefore the Light button on the computer would not have any effect on the lights at all. There won't be a firmware update or any kind of "fix" to make this button work on the bike. I find it pretty easy to reach down and adjust the Nip 800 light directly without looking. I did let Larry know that the Brose manual that comes with the bike has a section about the functionality of this Light button that they need to be aware of.​

​

You must turn the computer off FIRST. So the trick is to turn off the computer first. Hitting the power button at the top of the computer also turns off the lights. When you then turn off the battery (if you are so inclined) the lights stay off. No more blinking. This is the only way to get the lights to stay off, short of removing the battery altogether.​

​

Moving the bike can cause the lights to blink. You get the lights turned off, move your bike, and now what the heck?! They are blinking again!! I think this may be triggered by the wheel magnet on the back tire moving past the sensor. When this happens, you have to turn the bike ON at the battery, and then turn the computer off again.​

​

Not the most ideal solution, but I'm happy that it no longer looks like I'm keeping an aircraft parked in my garage at night. I've been VERY happy with the Nip/Tuck system and the amount of light they both provide. I also rather like that the lights come on without me thinking about it.

Lastly, if you are interested in using proper male blade connectors to fit the female connectors know that these are 2.8mm or 0.110 inch wide connectors. I purchased item #MST1620 from Cycle Terminal (link to the 0110 connectors page), and wound up snipping the ends of the blade to shorten it a bit. Worked like a charm! They are so cheap that I got a few extra in case I screwed one up. And I did. I also used dielectric grease and heat shrink tubing for the ultimate weather proofing. There are ample videos you can find that show you how to properly crimp a blade on a wire.

Let me know if you have questions, or "Like" this post if you found it helpful.

Can you link any video, you used for soldering?