i180 Taillight

glen_d · 03-21-2006, 06:20 PM

I don't think I'll ever get to the level of Karl or Jonathan, but I added a taillight to my i180 for nighttime riding. This unit is a Cateye TL-LD600.

The bracket was made from 0.064" aluminum sheet that mounts under two of the platform cover screws. The mat lays over the bracket without any modification.

The light clips in and out of its own mount, so I can remove it when it's not in use. It is almost too bright to look at directly.

This photo and more at http://home.gci.net/~glen/segway/pic/index.html under the heading "Illumination."

Glen

Isidore · 03-21-2006, 07:00 PM

Very neat installation! However, at a time when car makers have been required to put a high viz rear light at a level higher than standard car tail-lights, is this light in the right place? I commute every day, rain or shine on my Segway in London, none of this on the sidewalk (very illegal for bikes and presumably Segways until the authorities decide what a Segway is here) and I have a rear light on the back of my cycle helmet, like most cyclists in London- in fact many helmets now have a mounting point specifically for this. It is also possible to fit a cateye rear light designed for the seat post of a bicycle on the extreme end of the segway handlebar, in my case on the right but for Americans on the left behind the twist grip. Will try and post a photo...

pegg696 · 03-21-2006, 07:02 PM

Glen is my new hero...

Dave from Metro Detroit.

Georgem · 03-21-2006, 09:30 PM

Esteemed Glen!

Your articles are marvelous!
Thank you for your time and efforts.

glen_d · 03-22-2006, 04:45 AM

Isidore,

I agree that the placement of the taillight is not optimal, but I believe it is sufficient for my circumstance. It's also the cleanest placement I could devise on the Segway while factoring in visibility from both rear quarters. I can imagine riding a Segway on the road would make this issue a lot more important to me!

I don't wear a helmet on my Segway, my bike, my speed skates, my roller blades, or my skis. I used to wear one skydiving though . . . so I didn't bump my head on the airplane

I ride my i180 on bicycle trails and sidewalks (legal here), and my main exposure to hazard is while crossing as a pedestrian would at signalled intersections. These intersections have a large volume of high-speed traffic with complex patterns. I feel I am exposed to less hazard at intersections without signals because they typically handle low volumes of traffic. Barring the driver's acknowledgement, I can easily yield to the traffic (even when I have the right-of-way) rather than trust they will stop or yield to me.

Glen

Isidore · 03-22-2006, 05:40 AM

Glen, I can see your circumstances are different- here the traffic is much more cut and thrust than in the US and it seems to always be wet and dark so visibility is everything. There are hoards of cyclists especially since the central London Congestion Charge or access toll reached £8.00 or about $14 per day, so at least I am not the only sub 20 mph vehicle! I originally used a velcroed on hand made light bracket on the mudguard of my I167 (much more low rent design than yours) but the I 180 is not so accommodating hence the handlebar location.

At least here at the few pedestrial crossings I use (part of route is on bicycle paths across Hyde Park) there is no trouble getting cars to stop because they all want to look- I am one of only a handful of Segway users in London- In three years of daily Segwaying I have seen only one other glider. As for helmets must confess that after years of resistance I also ski in a helmet, especially in the trees, but that's another story...

gbrandwood · 03-22-2006, 05:33 PM

Glen - I had exactly the same light which I tried (and failed) to fit to my Seg using a variety of "non-permanent" methods. My best attempt involved velcro, but it didn't last very long. Your approach is great. Thanks for sharing.

As an aside, I also glide in the UK - but I stick to the pavements. I think this light will suit me down to the ground - I always new it would - and there's its "Nightrider" mode too!

-

To segue, or not to segue, that is the question.

BarnyFife · 03-22-2006, 07:09 PM

I have a similar light that has a belt clip, it goes on the back of my pants.

Brandis · 03-22-2006, 07:14 PM

I put the backlight onto the sidebag support. That way it is about the same height as it would be on a bicycle.

Marc

yosgof · 03-22-2006, 07:19 PM

Glen,

Well done indeed.

I've used a rather "traditional" approach to mounting the light

Just used a regular light bracket (bought from Dragan) and mounted a bicycle light with 3 LEDs. Its not too strong but is enough both for visibility and road illumination. I've used this one for half a year now but now I am looking for stronger alternatives.

That's what my Segway looks like with it:

I've mounted it below the handlebar with a downward inclination so as not to shine in the eyes of the pedestrians.

Din't get any remarks so far.

- Yossi

03-21-2006, 06:20 PM	#1
glen_d Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anchorage, AK, USA. Posts: 213	i180 Taillight I don't think I'll ever get to the level of Karl or Jonathan, but I added a taillight to my i180 for nighttime riding. This unit is a Cateye TL-LD600. The bracket was made from 0.064" aluminum sheet that mounts under two of the platform cover screws. The mat lays over the bracket without any modification. The light clips in and out of its own mount, so I can remove it when it's not in use. It is almost too bright to look at directly. This photo and more at http://home.gci.net/~glen/segway/pic/index.html under the heading "Illumination." Glen

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03-21-2006, 07:00 PM	#2
Isidore Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London, United Kingdom. Posts: 931	Very neat installation! However, at a time when car makers have been required to put a high viz rear light at a level higher than standard car tail-lights, is this light in the right place? I commute every day, rain or shine on my Segway in London, none of this on the sidewalk (very illegal for bikes and presumably Segways until the authorities decide what a Segway is here) and I have a rear light on the back of my cycle helmet, like most cyclists in London- in fact many helmets now have a mounting point specifically for this. It is also possible to fit a cateye rear light designed for the seat post of a bicycle on the extreme end of the segway handlebar, in my case on the right but for Americans on the left behind the twist grip. Will try and post a photo...

03-21-2006, 07:02 PM	#3
pegg696 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Farmington Hlls, Mi. Posts: 115	Glen is my new hero... Dave from Metro Detroit.

03-21-2006, 09:30 PM	#4
Georgem Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA. Posts: 37	Esteemed Glen! Your articles are marvelous! Thank you for your time and efforts.

03-22-2006, 04:45 AM	#5
glen_d Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anchorage, AK, USA. Posts: 213	Isidore, I agree that the placement of the taillight is not optimal, but I believe it is sufficient for my circumstance. It's also the cleanest placement I could devise on the Segway while factoring in visibility from both rear quarters. I can imagine riding a Segway on the road would make this issue a lot more important to me! I don't wear a helmet on my Segway, my bike, my speed skates, my roller blades, or my skis. I used to wear one skydiving though . . . so I didn't bump my head on the airplane I ride my i180 on bicycle trails and sidewalks (legal here), and my main exposure to hazard is while crossing as a pedestrian would at signalled intersections. These intersections have a large volume of high-speed traffic with complex patterns. I feel I am exposed to less hazard at intersections without signals because they typically handle low volumes of traffic. Barring the driver's acknowledgement, I can easily yield to the traffic (even when I have the right-of-way) rather than trust they will stop or yield to me. Glen

03-22-2006, 05:40 AM	#6
Isidore Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London, United Kingdom. Posts: 931	Glen, I can see your circumstances are different- here the traffic is much more cut and thrust than in the US and it seems to always be wet and dark so visibility is everything. There are hoards of cyclists especially since the central London Congestion Charge or access toll reached £8.00 or about $14 per day, so at least I am not the only sub 20 mph vehicle! I originally used a velcroed on hand made light bracket on the mudguard of my I167 (much more low rent design than yours) but the I 180 is not so accommodating hence the handlebar location. At least here at the few pedestrial crossings I use (part of route is on bicycle paths across Hyde Park) there is no trouble getting cars to stop because they all want to look- I am one of only a handful of Segway users in London- In three years of daily Segwaying I have seen only one other glider. As for helmets must confess that after years of resistance I also ski in a helmet, especially in the trees, but that's another story...

03-22-2006, 05:33 PM	#7
gbrandwood Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west England, UK. Posts: 3,043	Glen - I had exactly the same light which I tried (and failed) to fit to my Seg using a variety of "non-permanent" methods. My best attempt involved velcro, but it didn't last very long. Your approach is great. Thanks for sharing. As an aside, I also glide in the UK - but I stick to the pavements. I think this light will suit me down to the ground - I always new it would - and there's its "Nightrider" mode too! - To segue, or not to segue, that is the question.

03-22-2006, 07:09 PM	#8
BarnyFife Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio, USA. Posts: 154	I have a similar light that has a belt clip, it goes on the back of my pants.

03-22-2006, 07:14 PM	#9
Brandis Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Zurich, , Switzerland. Posts: 170	I put the backlight onto the sidebag support. That way it is about the same height as it would be on a bicycle. Marc

03-22-2006, 07:19 PM	#10
yosgof Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tel Aviv, Israel. Posts: 599	Glen, Well done indeed. I've used a rather "traditional" approach to mounting the light Just used a regular light bracket (bought from Dragan) and mounted a bicycle light with 3 LEDs. Its not too strong but is enough both for visibility and road illumination. I've used this one for half a year now but now I am looking for stronger alternatives. That's what my Segway looks like with it: I've mounted it below the handlebar with a downward inclination so as not to shine in the eyes of the pedestrians. Din't get any remarks so far. - Yossi

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