Technical Editor Margery Conner's PowerSource streams the latest developments in electronic power design and related technologies. Follow Margery on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/margeryc.
Advertisement
Profile
RSS Feed
-
Add this blog to your RSS newsreader!
Recent Posts
- Universal charger should be available in EU by 2010
- The weekend is warming up: Some DIY solar projects
- IBM Research jumps into battery development with lithium air technology
- PMBus for OEMs get boost from TI’s licensing of Power-One patents
- Metrics make a difference in evaluating solar and auto efficiency
- Airports, schools can use next-gen hand-held fever screening devices
- Stimulus package’s $2B investment in domestic US battery manufacturing
- Google’s philanthropic arm puts a power meter on your desktop
- Lean supply chain is China’s attraction for start-ups
- Hear “Mr. China” speak to hands-on tech enthusiasts this weekend
Recent Comments
- Dr. Eng. Mohamed Helal on Utilities suffer from CFLs’ poor power factor
- Ted Murphy on Utilities suffer from CFLs’ poor power factor
- FrankM on Utilities suffer from CFLs’ poor power factor
- Just another engineer on Utilities suffer from CFLs’ poor power factor
- Gerry on LED inefficiencies: 82% of lighting energy lost as heat
Most Commented On
- This was not the right application for a compact fluorescent light (99)
- Utilities suffer from CFLs’ poor power factor (76)
- Not so easy to run an LED ”bulb” off of a dimmer switch – but here’s how (73)
- Why diesel is so expensive (51)
- Massive solar project garners protests from solar energy industry (47)
Archives
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
By Category
- Aerospace & Defense (7)
- Analog (2)
- Analog Circuit Design (1)
- Automotive (32)
- Automotive (1)
- Battery Power (42)
- Body Electronics (1)
- Business and Marketing (5)
- Capacitor (2)
- Communication functions (2)
- Communications & Networking (7)
- Components, Hardware, Interconnect (66)
- Computers (2)
- Computers, boards, buses (2)
- Consumer Products (1)
- Convergence (1)
- Digital ICs (1)
- Discrete Components, Active (2)
- Discrete Components, Passive (2)
- Displays & Indicators (4)
- Displays and indicators (9)
- DSP Engineering (1)
- EDA (1)
- Electromechanical & Mechanical (1)
- Electronic Accessories (2)
- Electronics Components (8)
- Electronics Environmental Issues (2)
- Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) (1)
- Embedded Systems (3)
- EMI (1)
- Enclosures (1)
- Environmental Compliance (1)
- Global Supply and Trade (1)
- Government/regulation (3)
- Heat Dissipation (1)
- LED (24)
- Low Power (1)
- Low-Power (2)
- Manufacturing Operations (1)
- Medical Electronics (3)
- Mergers and Acquisitions (1)
- Motors (1)
- Passive components (2)
- Piezoelectric Crystal (4)
- Point-of-Load (1)
- Power components (3)
- Power Consumption (3)
- Power Management (1)
- Power Sources/Controllers (298)
- Power supplies (9)
- Power Supplies (65)
- Powertrain (1)
- Robotics (1)
- Sensors (8)
- Solar/Photovoltaics (14)
- System Engineering (1)
- Technical Standards (1)
- Transformer (1)
- Transistors (2)
- Venture Capital & IPOs (1)
- Wireless (1)
- Wireless Networks (1)
Power Management Articles
- Ultra-low-power microcontroller family brings accuracy, low power to three-phase metering
- EDN on Power Technology: Lithium-air battery technology
- Can’t see the forest ...
- Error amplifier limitations in high-performance regulator applications
- Characterize optocouplers in the feedback loop of high-frequency power converters
- More...
Blog
Friday, September 28, 2007
$1,000 light packs 7 LEDs, puts out 1400 lumen – for a bike?
Sep 28 2007 10:26AM | Permalink |Email this|Comments (12) |
The Wall Street Journal had a short bit on the Betty – a 1400 lumen bike light from a German company, Lupine Lighting Systems, that retails for over $1,000. I don’t know which surprised me more: The kilobux price tag for a bike light or the 1400lm brightness.
The light uses 7 P4 LEDs from Seoul Semiconductor, which each emit 240lm at 1A. So, yeah, you’re going to need one big battery to supply this light – what does it use? According to one of the suppliers, it’s a “13.8AH bottle battery.” I read about a lot of different battery types and configurations, but I’d never come across a bottle battery before. Come to find out, that’s what you call a battery that fits in your bike’s water holder – other sites refer to it as a “water bottle battery.” And of course, it’s a lot bigger than the light itself.
Related entries in: Battery Power | Components, Hardware, Interconnect | LED | Power Sources/Controllers |
Reader Comments
at 10/4/2007 1:04:18 PM, marketier said:
At +$1k/ea I wish I had their purchaser list... It would tempt one to make some lovely seat covers.
at 10/4/2007 11:41:55 PM, Achim said:
Dear Margery, i think it could be a standard cell-pack which is assembled in a cylindrical form. It seems that lupine makes no secret about the battery because as you could read in the user manual it is even recommended to open the bottle while charging it. Despite this the light would be more useful for downhill races if those would be done at night. At least I’m not wondering about those brokers who are always looking at superlatives no matter if they are reasonable or even economically priced. Regards Achim
at 10/7/2007 3:58:17 PM, rmschal said:
I own one of these light systems and it was worth every penny! I bike commute year round and do some 24-hour events so I need a high quality light. I have gotten many comments about its brightness level from pedestrians and motorists alike. Despite its clean simple looks and ease of use, this unit offers the user many different modes of operation for just about any lighting application whether it be for cycling or any other night time activity.
at 10/8/2007 3:21:47 AM, Isaac said:
Considering one is born every day, there are probably enough suckers to make this product a success.
at 10/8/2007 3:05:07 PM, ATO said:
To Isaac: At least the suckers are happy with their choices, wich is also associated with "success", a positive thing. Much, much worse is the bitterness of the jealous. Which, by the way, happen to born every day in an (also) unfavourable rate than suckers.
at 10/9/2007 1:21:15 PM, mtbiker said:
While, I don't have this unit I did build one with this much light output. But, I am sure mine was heavier as I used incandescent light bulbs and sealed lead acid batteries. I used to ride a night a lot and did a few ultra-marathon events where riding through the night was expected (google PBP). I would have killed for this unit back then. As for the battery, it is standard cells packed in the "bicycle water bottle form factor". Thus the battery can be easily and securely mounted to a standard water bottle cage. Great job Lupine, now just bring the cost and weight down.
at 10/10/2007 6:35:40 AM, fg4 said:
810 grams is pretty light for the battery and lighthead combo- considering it gets 6 hours of burn time at full 1400 lumens- if you kick back the light output it can last for almost 2 weeks straight. If the weight concerns you the option of a smaller battery is always available
at 10/18/2007 8:53:30 AM, demigod1 said:
ATO, It seems to me that this, like cocaine, is nature's way of telling you that you're making WAY too much money. It's nice that there is always some friendly folks that will accommodate you
at 11/4/2007 3:23:19 PM, David said:
People posting negative comments are clearly are not serious night-time athletes. When I'm XC-skiing in the woods at night, going 15-20 mph, far from civilization, a light like this is a literal life line, worth every penny. Have a crash or get caught with a broken light in the dark and it's frostbite or worse.
at 11/23/2007 3:55:58 PM, ErichWHP said:
Typical HID and LED rigs now put out 500 lumens and cost $400 to $450. So per lumen, the Lupine unit is cheaper! As David said, getting caught on a dark trail with a dead light one night will make a believer out of you. I always go with two units, one on the handlebars and one on the helmet for redundancy and extra lumens. Keep in mind, some folks pay $3000 for a bike...
at 2/19/2008 1:22:37 PM, Bozo said:
The price is high, but if you bike commute after dark (I do) you realize the value of being able to see and being seen. It is life or death. I suspect some of the negative posters have $200 iPods, $2000 TVs, and seat warmers in their BeeMers. Those are toys.
at 7/30/2008 3:01:18 AM, aaa said:
fdfusdcksdf
Post a comment
ADVERTISEMENT
About Us | Contact Us | Free Email Newsletters | Free Magazine Subscription | Advertising | 
RSS
©1997-2009 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy