Any electronics experts in here?

Diddums

Diddums

Diddums

Caporegime
Joined
24 Oct 2012
Posts
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Yer nan's knickers
I'm building a custom LED thingy for under the seat of my scooter, and it's been about a billion years since I dabbled in electronics so I just need a bit of a sense check if anyone's able please!

What's a good quality 18650 battery, and what's a good seller? I've heard far too many negative things about fake batteries and whatnot.

I'll be charging it with this:

www.ebay.co.uk

5pcs 5V 1A USB Type C 18650 TP4056 Lithium Battery Charger Module Charging Board | eBay

5PCS X 1A TP4056 lithium battery charging module. Current: 1A adjustable. It is better that the charging current is 37% of the battery capacity. Input interface: MICRO.
www.ebay.co.uk

I'll be adding a little push-button switch to turn the light on, and it'll turn off automatically. For this I intend to use this:

www.ebay.co.uk

10s~24h Programmable Timer Control Switch Module Timing 3.3V-18V UK Stock | eBay

Can drive the 3V relay, 5V relay, 12V relay, LED lamp etc.;. Timing accuracy is higher than the ordinary 555 timing, timing simulation of analog circuits. Module working current is less than 1mA. Can choose low input, high input, low output, high output, through the short-circuit points;.
www.ebay.co.uk

I've not yet decided on an LED, need to research them still. However, can I wire directly to that PCB, or do I need a relay / driver for the LED?

I guess this depends on what LED I use, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. The most important aspect here is quality, reliability and compactness. I'll be 3D printing the housing as well so it's very flexible in terms of dimensions and shape.

Anythnig wrong with what I've posted here?

Cheers :)
 
molicell, they are what are used in Tesla battery packs...

BUT... 18650 are 4.2v and LEDs are from 1.2 to 3.6v depending on colour and type, so you will need to step down and LEDs are low amp so you may be better of looking for a cheaper high capacity low amp battery. you can look at 21700 or 20700 for more capacity.
Why don't you just buy a 18650 torch and mod that? or a vape mod and use the 510 led adapter.

EDIT: this is where I get my vape batteries from... https://www.fogstar.co.uk/. there's always a discount on Fridays.
 
Last edited:
slinxy said:
molicell, they are what are used in Tesla battery packs...

BUT... 18650 are 4.2v and LEDs are from 1.2 to 3.6v depending on colour and type, so you will need to step down and LEDs are low amp so you may be better of looking for a cheaper high capacity low amp battery. you can look at 21700 or 20700 for more capacity.
Why don't you just buy a 18650 torch and mod that? or a vape mod and use the 510 led adapter.

EDIT: this is where I get my vape batteries from... https://www.fogstar.co.uk/. there's always a discount on Fridays.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I probably should've read this before ordering :p

I've now ordered all this:

Timer controller:
www.aliexpress.com

Timer Switch Controller Board 10S-24H Adjustable Delay Relay Module For Delay Switch/Timer/Timing Lamp - AliExpress 502

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com www.aliexpress.com

Charging board:

Security measure

order.ebay.co.uk order.ebay.co.uk

Battery:
www.nubattery.co.uk

Samsung 26J - 18650 Battery - 2600mAh - 10A

2600mAh - 10A Continuous Discharge - Flat Top/Button Top/TabsOrder by 3pm (Monday to Friday) for same day dispatch!Brand: Samsung SDIModel: 26JSize: 18650Chemistry: ICRNominal Capacity: 2600mAhNominal Voltage: 3.6VDischarge: 10A Max ContinuousPositive: Flat/Button Top/Tabs (please...
www.nubattery.co.uk www.nubattery.co.uk

Switch:
www.ebay.co.uk

Switch Push Button Circular 12mm Momentary Black White Red Green Blue Yellow | eBay

Red\Green\Black\White\Yellow\Blue 12mm Push Button Switch. Available Colours: Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow. Commonly used as vehicle horns, ignition switches and for doorbells.
www.ebay.co.uk

LED:
www.aliexpress.com

10pcs 60x8mm 2V 3V LED COB Light 3.7V Chip On Board Light Bar Warm Cold White Blue Red Color 1W 3W LED Lighting Work Lamp DIY - AliExpress 39

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com www.aliexpress.com


Dunno if the LED is going to work right out the box, might need a little driver for it. Will see when it arrives.
 
Mkay, so all the goodies have turned up. I'm now gonna start designing the case/holder thingy, but I'm wondering about what wiring to use. I need something tough as it'll be vibrating a fair amount as I ride the bike, and it'll also be exposed to the temperature fluctuations you'd expect for a vehicle parked in a garage.

Any suggestions?

Cheers!
 
Ok, here are all the bits. I've ordered a load of other stuff, soldering iron stand, sponges, solder, and 0.5mm wire. Should be here soon.

Now I need to start modelling the enclosure in Fusion360 so I can print it, install all the components and start testing.

TIkF0oo.png


Sidenote: It's absolutely ridiculous hpw bright these little LED strips are.
 
Last edited:
Diddums said:
Ok, here are all the bits. I've ordered a load of other stuff, soldering iron stand, sponges, solder, and 0.5mm wire. Should be here soon.
Click to expand...
Soldering is great, always keep your tip clean. Did you get proper solder or that horrible lead free stuff?
 
Feek said:
Soldering is great, always keep your tip clean. Did you get proper solder or that horrible lead free stuff?
Click to expand...

Lead free! I'm intending to bring this product to market at some point so i need to make sure I tick all the right boxes.
 
Diddums said:
Ok, here are all the bits. I've ordered a load of other stuff, soldering iron stand, sponges, solder, and 0.5mm wire. Should be here soon.

Now I need to start modelling the enclosure in Fusion360 so I can print it, install all the components and start testing.

TIkF0oo.png


Sidenote: It's absolutely ridiculous hpw bright these little LED strips are.
Click to expand...

I swear that LED COB strip is the exact same one that's mounted to the front of my lad's RC car and yes it's amazingly bright!
 
Interestingly, I had a quick look and found this:

I just found this on AliExpress:
US $8.61 | Moto Light for Forza 350 300 SH 150 PCX LEAD 110 Piaggio Medley NMAX 150 125 TMAX Seat Cushion Bucket Storage Mini LED Light USB
a.aliexpress.com

Moto Light for Forza 350 300 SH 150 PCX LEAD 110 Piaggio Medley NMAX 150 125 TMAX Seat Cushion Bucket Storage Mini LED Light USB - AliExpress 201355758

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
a.aliexpress.com a.aliexpress.com

That will make life a lot easier and I won't have to deal with the compliance side of things. Gonna order one and have a play.
 
Diddums said:
That will make life a lot easier and I won't have to deal with the compliance side of things. Gonna order one and have a play.
Click to expand...

Dunno about compliance but could have made things interesting and used something like an ATtiny85 as a controller heh.

I've used Ecolux for 18650 batteries before with good results - usually high- capacity Samsung ones though stock availability seems to go through patches for some reason.
 
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