Yet Another Cycling Forum

Random Musings => DIY => Skip Bike and Bodge It => Topic started by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 10:12:14 am

Title: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 10:12:14 am
Greetings all. I have inherited my mother's old Raleigh, and been gradually refurbishing it. It is one of those beauties with a hub dynamo and a tube containing the old battery.

I have now arrived at the lights, and wondered what folk normally do with those? My inclination is to make this a practical bike by replacing the dynamo-driven arrangement with battery-powered LEDs. I would hope this would be a sympathetic update, keeping the old light fittings externally, but converting the innards to LED. Perhaps I could site the new batteries in the old battery tube, and re-use the existing wiring to both lights. I did consider keeping the dynamo running (if it works) and just upgrading the bulbs, but I thought a total change would be cleaner and indeed safer.

My concern is that there might be a horde of collectors out there who are desperate to have lights driven by the original hub dynamo. If any of you had a sharp intake of breath at any of the above, could you advise me please?

Best wishes,

Raymond
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 12 June, 2020, 10:16:05 am
I would think carefully about reusing the wiring unless you know it is in top condition. Copper corrodes easily when wet.

I discovered the other day a G10 LED light whose lense had come off. It sparked a thought about making a bike light. If you can reuse the case and swap out the bulb for a screw in LED module you can produce or have made locally, then the LED might work.

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 10:20:46 am
Thanks Dave. That's good advice. So I could either replace the wiring, or else just have batteries mounted locally in each light.

I am not an electrical expert, so I was hoping as you say to re-use most of the innards of an existing LED lamp. As I understand it, LEDs require a different style of reflector owing to the angle of the beam they project. But I might have to bite the bullet and learn how to solder  :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 12 June, 2020, 10:29:18 am
In that case. Soldering. Hold the solder iron against the metal part to be soldered. After a sufficient amount of time, mate the solder against the metal part, NOT THE SOLDER IRON. Solder has flux in it to clean the metal being soldered. This melts, but heat it too much and it will burn. Don't inhale the fumes. Older solder has lead in, so try newer solder. Once the metal is hot enough, the solder will melt and 'flow'. Flow means it will flow over the metal to coat it evenly.

Do the same to the bare copper wires, heat wires, mate solder to the wires, and remove the iron once the solder flows.

Then take the wire to the metal. Heat the metal, and once you see both soldered parts 'flow', remove the solder iron. Practice on small disposable parts. Solder is NOT a mechanical bond, only an electrical bond. Ensure any parts bonded to the wire are fixed to something even if it is just zip tied.

Also get a solder sponge, a little water will help to clean the iron.

Good luck. Feel free to ask any questions, no question is stupid.

Dave C

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 12 June, 2020, 10:32:05 am
I have an old B&B Lyt front light. The LEDs are blown, but you are welcome to the case and it's lense. Pm me you address and I'll post it off.

Dave C

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Wobbly John on 12 June, 2020, 01:48:13 pm
I would convert to LED and run from the dymano. It's really easy to do with cheap LEDs from ebay. Even the 12V ones run on my dymano. Adding a bridge rectifier will reduce the flicker.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 02:12:45 pm
I would convert to LED and run from the dynamo. It's really easy to do with cheap LEDs from ebay. Even the 12V ones run on my dymano. Adding a bridge rectifier will reduce the flicker.
. Definitely an option.  It does make some use of the original facility. Is that the reason you prefer that approach?
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Kim on 12 June, 2020, 02:18:47 pm
Why on earth would you want to use batteries when there's a hub dynamo available?
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 02:22:53 pm
Why on earth would you want to use batteries when there's a hub dynamo available?
I agree that my reasoning may be faulty, which is why I am here  :)

1. Light doesn't stop when the bike does (or does it, with the built in battery?)
2. Reduces load on the cyclist. May not be much anyway.
3. I am guessing you get a brighter light with the battery

I don't think it would take much to talk me out of it!
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Kim on 12 June, 2020, 02:37:05 pm
Why on earth would you want to use batteries when there's a hub dynamo available?
I agree that my reasoning may be faulty, which is why I am here  :)

1. Light doesn't stop when the bike does (or does it, with the built in battery?)

This is a fair point.  A standlight circuit is highly desirable.


Quote
2. Reduces load on the cyclist. May not be much anyway.

I wouldn't worry about that, unless you're racing.  It'll be of the order of a few watts.  Equivalent to not zipping up your jacket, sort of thing.


Quote
3. I am guessing you get a brighter light with the battery

Certainly possible, but you lose the convenience of lighting that's always ready.  A mid-range LED dyanmo light is perfectly sufficient for normal road use.


The challenge is mostly going to be one of optics:  Putting an LED source at the focal point of a reflector designed for a tungsten lamp tends to result in a flood of direct light and an underwhelming focused hot-spot from the reflector.  Which isn't to say it won't be a decent improvement on what you'd get with the original tungsten lamp, as you have so many more lumens to waste.  It would also be an easy retrofit.

My preferred approach would be to gut the innards (optics and electronics) of a suitable modern light and retrofit them to the existing shell somehow.

Alternatively there are modern dynamo lights available in a retro styling that might be suitable.  It wouldn't be authentic, but it would be practical, and you could keep the original light unadulterated on a shelf for that future collector.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 June, 2020, 04:13:18 pm
Nicelite LEDs are available to replace some filament bulbs.  They are way brighter (the red rear LEDs ridiculously so) but focus isn't great in optics designed for a small light source.

SA dynohubs must NEVER be dismantled unlesd you have a keeper ring.  The magnet loses all its strength the moment it is taken out of iron.  It is very magnetically "soft".
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 05:40:09 pm
My preferred approach would be to gut the innards (optics and electronics) of a suitable modern light and retrofit them to the existing shell somehow.

Alternatively there are modern dynamo lights available in a retro styling that might be suitable.  It wouldn't be authentic, but it would be practical, and you could keep the original light unadulterated on a shelf for that future collector.

Thanks Kim. There's some good stuff in there. You have convinced me to try keeping the dynamo. And keeping the original parts for interested parties is a great idea.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 05:44:03 pm
Nicelite LEDs are available to replace some filament bulbs...

SA dynohubs must NEVER be dismantled unless you have a keeper ring.  The magnet loses all its strength the moment it is taken out of iron.  It is very magnetically "soft".

I certainly considered just replacing the bulbs, but as you say was put off by the reflector incompatibility. However, from what you say, it might be worth gutting/replacing the headlamp, but replacing just the bulb in the rear.

Don't worry. I had no plans to dismantle the hub  ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 12 June, 2020, 07:20:10 pm
Google 'replace torch bulb with led'.

It should give you a few options to match against your filament bulb. The lense from my old Lyt might help to direct the light where you need it

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Pickled Onion on 12 June, 2020, 07:52:28 pm
Pictures please!!

[edit]
Of the bike.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 08:30:25 pm
Pictures please!!
Of the bike.
Ooops. Tricky. I will see what I can do. At present, the bike is in pieces in my bike shed. Was there any feature you particularly wanted to see?
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 12 June, 2020, 08:31:51 pm
Google 'replace torch bulb with led'.

Wilco  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 13 June, 2020, 02:39:19 pm
Pictures please!!

 :-[ Er... How does one attach images to a post here? The Image button above just adds an HTML tag, and the 'add attachment' option is disabled. Sorry
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: DuncanM on 13 June, 2020, 05:02:28 pm
You need to host them somewhere like flickr, and then use the share function to get a link that will embed in your post. There's a guide somewhere, but I can't remember where - I'm sure it will come up if you search.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 13 June, 2020, 05:06:16 pm
I post mainly from the Tapatalk app. It has an add photos icon when I post.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200613/9c25e7f0d6973fbf61301926ab04c2cf.jpg)

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 13 June, 2020, 07:34:26 pm
Pictures please!!

I think I can host pictures on Google Drive. If it works, links should appear below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aGCldJU-eA4vUCakC78oNdm2dlXeWbLi/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aGCldJU-eA4vUCakC78oNdm2dlXeWbLi/view?usp=sharing[)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7H-cMBZbo9luQjCdhSOSoJQqGHino9i/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7H-cMBZbo9luQjCdhSOSoJQqGHino9i/view?usp=sharing)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cfXqvkDITMazzCF0NZgVVBLrM3AQqL09/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cfXqvkDITMazzCF0NZgVVBLrM3AQqL09/view?usp=sharing)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KQjJ1wbLennbLN1B8pNdLAszBlwp2gdV/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KQjJ1wbLennbLN1B8pNdLAszBlwp2gdV/view?usp=sharing)
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 13 June, 2020, 09:36:23 pm
That front light looks huge, you could easily fit a standard LED light in there.

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 13 June, 2020, 09:47:13 pm
That front light looks huge, you could easily fit a standard LED light in there.
It's even bigger than that. The photo shows only the back part. The lens, reflector and front rim are sitting on my desk here. There is some good working room as you say.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 13 June, 2020, 09:58:08 pm
If you bought a B&M Lyt for £15-20 you could just mount the whole B&M light in the case. A clear lense would just allow the light out of the casing

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Kim on 13 June, 2020, 10:25:18 pm
If you bought a B&M Lyt for £15-20 you could just mount the whole B&M light in the case. A clear lense would just allow the light out of the casing

Get a plus version, and it won't go out when you stop.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 13 June, 2020, 10:57:24 pm
If you bought a B&M Lyt for £15-20 you could just mount the whole B&M light in the case. A clear lense would just allow the light out of the casing
Get a plus version, and it won't go out when you stop.
Sounds simple enough even for me. I was wondering about the purpose of the battery mounted on the Raleigh. Could it be that it is meant to provide the standing lighting. I guess it would do no harm to have a B&M plus in addition to a battery backup.

Cheers guys.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 13 June, 2020, 11:06:39 pm
You won't need a battery pack with a Lyt plus. Leave it empty, or as a small starage box for a pump etc. The Lyt btw is an example of a budget B&M light. You can get much better lights for not a lot more, and smaller too.
Focus on getting the bike good and that will give you time to research the right dynamo lights.

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 13 June, 2020, 11:18:42 pm
Focus on getting the bike good and that will give you time to research the right dynamo lights.
OK. I will try your light for size, and go from there. But I agree, there is other work to be done.

I am OK from here I think. Many thanks everyone for helping me out here.

Best wishes,

Raymond
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 14 June, 2020, 12:37:38 pm
Sorry I'm late to this party!

I did something similar with my 1946 Hetchins when I 'restored' it in 2014.
It's got a SA Dynohub and original Sturmey Chrome shelled front & rear lights - but the gubbins are LED.
The website with all you need to know is at http://www.reflectalite.com/
For the LED lights to work correctly with a Dynohub then you'll need a 'regulator' from them - I've just checked and I've got a GENX2 fitted across the Dynohub terminals. (see   http://www.reflectalite.com/regulatorpage.html )
I bought the correct fitting 'bulbs' for my lights from them as well and the system has worked well for the last 6 years (albeit with limited use).
It's not a cheap route, even back then I spent £28 on regulator and two LEDs.
I used new wiring, the original would have been white/cream which would have looked shite even if I could have found some.
The correct fittings to the hub are 'horseshoe' style crimped & soldered ends.

As regards the 'battery box' - this was a common fitting on utility bikes (and possibly some tourers) had a cylinder on the seat tube to contain three D cells that would act as a back-up for when the generator wasn't running. All the Sturmey Archer front lights that I've come across have a three position switch that allows for this to be switched in (possibly) automatically. The wiring to make this work is something that has always defeated me - indeed the wiring of the front lamp without the battery back up is bizarre enough (IMO). These original battery cases do come up on eBay occasionally at silly money - if you were so inclined I suggest they're easy to bodge. It wasn't a fitment on my bike originally so I've never bothered, but more to the point I like having the security of a second light source.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 14 June, 2020, 12:39:54 pm
Crap picture of the regulator (this wheel is off the bike for the moment) (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200614/d3467d605e098413f85b9caac43ae29f.jpg)
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 14 June, 2020, 01:15:38 pm
Sorry I'm late to this party!
Not at all. It is kind of you to reply at all.

I checked out your "Reflectalite" link, and it does seem a good site. What the guys here are suggesting is that I put the entire gubbins of a B&M hub light into the original SA case. Given that this would be built for use with a dynamo, I would suppose the regulator part was there already, wouldn't you think? But yes, if I do have a looser arrangement with my own homemade LED fitting, then I will need to follow your route. I will see how it turns out, and (eventually) report back  8)

Many thanks for all your good advice.

Raymond. 
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 14 June, 2020, 07:06:07 pm
Thanks for your kind words Greybeard
I'm not too hot on electrons, but it's my understanding that older SA Dynohubs give a different output compared to modern hub dynamos. I think that the differences are that the older hubs have less power (amps) and the frequency (hertz) is much more variable - but the voltage remains the same.
I'd be tempted to try stuffing the B&M works into the shell and seeing what happens!
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 14 June, 2020, 07:40:32 pm
I'd be tempted to try stuffing the B&M works into the shell and seeing what happens!
That's the plan. The weak point, as you may have spotted, is the rear light. The easiest approach there might be to put in your suggested hub regulator anyway, and just put an upgrade LED bulb in at the back. Not sure I could fit in entire other light into the smaller space that the rear light offers. Let's see  ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 14 June, 2020, 07:57:45 pm
The rear light looks fine to put in an led light.

As you can see this Standlite from Busch & Muller at around £12 has a tiny circuit board at 40mm by 30mm.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200614/602fba8960ae9b22876875bf1226b648.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200614/e358cbd96725da7e071867b5cba30cf2.jpg)

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 14 June, 2020, 08:03:40 pm
The rear light looks fine to put in an led light...
Gosh! Don't they look small when you take the back off. I will measure the old light when the thunderstorms have passed. Thanks again Dave.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: fuaran on 14 June, 2020, 08:05:16 pm
Or something like the B&M Toplight Line Small is even smaller. Should be easy enough to cut the bolt holes off the sides.
http://en.bumm.de/produkte/dynamo-ruecklicht/toplight-line-small.html
There's also a SON version, but its a lot more expensive.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Dave_C on 14 June, 2020, 08:10:29 pm
Or something like the B&M Toplight Line Small is even smaller. Should be easy enough to cut the bolt holes off the sides.
http://en.bumm.de/produkte/dynamo-ruecklicht/toplight-line-small.html
There's also a SON version, but its a lot more expensive.
Ooo the Son rear lights are tiny!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200614/89a5bf65deaf9e062b010cb7389f9132.jpg)

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Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 14 June, 2020, 08:47:46 pm
Or something like the B&M Toplight Line Small is even smaller...
Ooo the Son rear lights are tiny!
Some good choices there. I'll measure up, and go with the cheapest that will fit.

Thanks Guys...
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: DuncanM on 14 June, 2020, 11:02:25 pm
That looks a lot like my old Raleigh Superb. Have you been riding this bike (especially in the rain)? I ask because I hated the rod brakes so much I ended up building myself a new front wheel with a hub brake - I just didn't feel safe on it! If your rod brakes work well then that's fantastic.
I was thinking about trying to use the dyno to drive modern lights inside the old cases, but in the end I changed commute and swapped it for a MTB. I'd love to see how you achieve this... :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 15 June, 2020, 08:55:05 am
A few years ago I tried to get an old style dynamo for a project and found they simply weren't available for some reason.  I think it is a good idea to keep them in their original form.  If I had a nice old classic like the OPs I would only ride it on sunny days. 

Dynamos are a bit old hat it seems. On my old steelie I have added a SON and keep the lights on all the time; when out on a club ride just before lockdown an old-timer on the latest carbon fibre seemed to think it was some sort of power assistance.  I don't think I convinced him otherwise. :(
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 15 June, 2020, 09:59:46 am
That looks a lot like my old Raleigh Superb...
No, I have never ridden this. I have a 1998 Marin Muirwoods that keeps me going. The Raleigh sat in a garage for decades (my Mum died last week just short of 90). It's not in a condition to be ridden. Yet!
The bike in general is not up to modern standards, as you would expect. My main reason for posting here was to find out how far I could go without spoiling the bike for collectors. I hadn't thought of riding it myself. Am I allowed to say that it's a ladies bike? It is the sort of thing that 1940s re-enactors might like.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 15 June, 2020, 10:46:59 am
A few years ago I tried to get an old style dynamo for a project and found they simply weren't available for some reason.  I think it is a good idea to keep them in their original form.  If I had a nice old classic like the OPs I would only ride it on sunny days. 

Dynamos are a bit old hat it seems. On my old steelie I have added a SON and keep the lights on all the time; when out on a club ride just before lockdown an old-timer on the latest carbon fibre seemed to think it was some sort of power assistance.  I don't think I convinced him otherwise. :(
I agree that this would be a 'sunny days only' bike. For an outing of the 1940s re-enactment society. Or for a remake of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.  People my age do mostly realise that power assistance worked in the opposite direction in those days  ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 15 June, 2020, 05:40:27 pm
That looks a lot like my old Raleigh Superb...
No, I have never ridden this. I have a 1998 Marin Muirwoods that keeps me going. The Raleigh sat in a garage for decades (my Mum died last week just short of 90). It's not in a condition to be ridden. Yet!
The bike in general is not up to modern standards, as you would expect. My main reason for posting here was to find out how far I could go without spoiling the bike for collectors. I hadn't thought of riding it myself. Am I allowed to say that it's a ladies bike? It is the sort of thing that 1940s re-enactors might like.
The Veteran Cycle Club (VCC   https://v-cc.org.uk/  ) is the font of all knowledge - and I do mean all! The website is a bit rubbish, but the magazines are top notch. It's full of collectors of all ilks - from those with one old bike they care for (like me) right through to museum curators. Most members are interested in keeping their machines in some sort of original condition (cue the usual debate about restoration, renovation and the value of patina!)
Members who ride with the VCC sections ride everything from the sort of roadster you are looking at right the way through to 19th Century exotica. They aren't really into re-enacting and dressing up, but more into the minutia of the history of bikes, accessories, the shops and the people in cycling history.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 15 June, 2020, 05:54:47 pm
The Veteran Cycle Club (VCC   https://v-cc.org.uk/  ) is the font of all knowledge - and I do mean all! The website is a bit rubbish, but the magazines are top notch. It's full of collectors of all ilks - from those with one old bike they care for (like me) right through to museum curators. Most members are interested in keeping their machines in some sort of original condition (cue the usual debate about restoration, renovation and the value of patina!)
Members who ride with the VCC sections ride everything from the sort of roadster you are looking at right the way through to 19th Century exotica. They aren't really into re-enacting and dressing up, but more into the minutia of the history of bikes, accessories, the shops and the people in cycling history.
Gosh. They sound heavy dudes  :D

I am actually a re-enactor myself (a musician), but my time period is medieval and Tudor. I do of course meet people from other periods, and the emphasis is usually on costume and living history rather than the bicycles per se. How much of a market there is within that fraternity for vintage bikes is something I aim to discover. When I get round to completing Mum's bike!
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Brucey on 27 December, 2020, 02:31:17 pm
Sounds simple enough even for me. I was wondering about the purpose of the battery mounted on the Raleigh. Could it be that it is meant to provide the standing lighting.

there are three different versions of the battery tube and they all work differently from one another, and do slightly different things.

cheers
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 27 December, 2020, 02:40:08 pm
Aha! Ok Brucey, thanks. That's really helpful. I guess I will find out which I have when I try it. Project is on the back burner just now, but will likely come to life again in better weather. ::-)
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Bledlow on 15 March, 2021, 11:27:42 pm
Sorry I'm late to this party!
Not at all. It is kind of you to reply at all.

I checked out your "Reflectalite" link, and it does seem a good site.

Raymond.
A bit OT, but some time ago I was at chez Mrs B mère & discovered that one of her old earthquake/typhoon torches* had a blown bulb (filament). Torch was excellent, apart from being old tech. Decades of life left in it. But by modern standards, dim & battery-hungry.

So when I got home I sent her two NL322 led bulbs from Reflectalite for her emergency torches. She loves 'em. Brighter than the filament bulbs they replace, more robust (they bounce if dropped on a hard floor) & use less power. And much cheaper than new LED torches of equivalent quality to her old incandescent bulb ones.

*Every Japanese house has at least one, more or less. Something bright, solid, & reliable.
Title: Re: Refurbishing lights on a vintage Raleigh All Steel
Post by: Earl Greybeard on 16 March, 2021, 08:52:12 am
Nice story. I guess that the Japanese have them in case of an earthquake?

My project is on hold just now, but I am hoping to get back to it when the weather warms up, and my 'round tuit' arrives in the post  :)