How to add lighting to your predator projects the easy way

[vegasboy]

It's been my experience when using the 420 predator that the charging system sucks. Since I build street legal motorcycles with this engine I'm limited with how much power I can draw from the main battery. I figured a simple way to power the main headlight is to use a rechargeable battery that's waterproof durable and long-lasting. I bought a LED light from Harbor Freight and tested it using my 24v Kobalt cordless battery. I ordered a piece that slides over the Kobalt battery that has two wires exposed so you could power whatever you want. I hooked up the headlight on a full battery that had four bars lit. And ran it straight for at least 1 hour and 45 minutes. I'm going to mount the battery holder under the seat and I will carry to full batteries that should allow me to drive at night for as long as I want. I could have gone longer on the light but I didn't want to drain my battery completely, it still had one bar lit when I disconnected it

 

[vegasboy]

More pics

 

[mckutzy]

Thats a pretty cool idea... glad it worked out...
But is the light 24V??? How does that work with the lights typically being 12V??

 

[vegasboy]

I also didn't know that some LEDs are 12 to 24 volt this one can run both with no fancy Electronics

 

[vegasboy]

On that note, this is stupid easy and anybody can do it. They make different dock adapters for other battery brands. And I don't have to hook up my motorcycle battery to the charger every night.

 

[kayde]

Very cool idea i may have too use it on my t555 project.

24v kobalt stuff kicks butt. Im curious about this slide on the battery attachment item.

 

[vegasboy]

Here is what they look like. There's a Kobalt 1 and a DeWalt one pictured. 20 bucks or less.

 

[mckutzy]

I have something like that... It's an adapter for Milwaukee batteries, it charges my phone and also is a power sorce for the heated jacket they sell...
I wonder if they have a version for my type batteries.

 

[Quinc]

I use one of those 12aH lithium jump start batteries to power all the lights on my z50. I also use it to power the light bar on my quad when I am riding at night. Plus you can use it to jump start your buddy when he turns his quad off and leaves his lights on.. I paid 38$ on amazon for it.

 

[vegasboy]

Finally got the dock power adapter and today. It seems well built and comes with three screw holes so you can mount it. I mounted it under the seat and added some blade connections to the wire. The adapter is a 3D printed piece and with 12 gauge wire.