Author Topic: Old battery systems, convert to USB?  (Read 8135 times)

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Offline bogiesan

Old battery systems, convert to USB?
« on: October 22, 2013, 10:34:11 pm »
I recently acquired some new NiteRider LED lighting systems. They're very cool and insanely bright and they have self-contained batts that charge from USB. But these new systems (obtained serendipitously at deep discount) replace perfectly serviceable NiteRider 6V halogen and 12V HID systems. The older batts use NiteRider's 4-wire 6-12V cables. There must be a way to buy or build a box that will accept the old NR batts at the input end and provide a USB output.
Any clues where I'd start looking besides NiteRider? It's a product they don't make so I'll probably be soldering up an Altoids box-based unit after obtaining pin-outs from NR.
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline bogiesan

Re: Old battery systems, convert to USB?
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2013, 08:27:55 am »
A simple interweb search revealed literally hundreds of DIY projects that end with an iPhone-specific USB charger. Many are, as I expected, based on the hobbyist's ubiquitous Altoids mint box form factor. There are simple one-trick circuits, solar and generator augmentation and complex switchable or automated systems that offer multiple ins and outs by way of off-the-shelf Arduino blocks.
So, you put as much effort into this as you want to or need to.
I don't know if I'll get around to it. These days I'm more comfortable with the gross movements wrenching my bike than assembling electronics with tiny tools and a soldering iron.

I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline Old Guy New Hobby

Re: Old battery systems, convert to USB?
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2013, 03:50:01 pm »

Offline paddleboy17

Re: Old battery systems, convert to USB?
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2013, 01:04:51 pm »
i bought a battery the size of a deck of cards.  It will charge an iPhone 3X or almost charge an iPad.  $70 on Amazon.  Just dispose of your NightRider batteries in an environmentally responsible way.
Danno

Offline bogiesan

Re: Old battery systems, convert to USB?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2013, 10:34:30 pm »
i bought a battery the size of a deck of cards.  It will charge an iPhone 3X or almost charge an iPad.  $70 on Amazon.  Just dispose of your NightRider batteries in an environmentally responsible way.

See my other thread on the $70 NewTrent 120 battery with dual USB OUTS. Recharged my iPhone 4S from 20-39% to 100% more than seven times.
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline bogiesan

Re: Old battery systems, convert to USB?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2013, 10:38:49 pm »
Cool. Thank you for the link!
I'd still need the pin-outs for the NR cables, of course, and a way to obtain and solder on a NiteRider proprietary plug. But that's simpler than building the whole thing, for sure.
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent