Actually, I took about an 8 month break from it.
I had initially installed standard, yellow LEDs into it, but was disappointed with them. They weren't bright enough, so I installed Super Bright LEDs and re-wired them.
The LEDs had to be wired two at time in serial with a resistor. Those were then wired in parallel with the rest of the LEDs. A major pain, but they're as bright as can be.
I also added a second 9 volt battery. One 9 volt powers the top row of lights. The other powers the bottom row of lights. It was another attempt to brighten every thing up, but I don't know if it matters since the wiring is different.
Foam was added to the inside, top of the helmet. I probably added about 3" of foam to the forehead area. It was all I could do to keep the lights away from my face. The originals must have had a lot of padding in that area.
The light bars or covers were vacuum formed, clear plastic. In order to get the look of the originals, I sprayed the inside and outside with "frost" spray paint (Home Depot). Looking back, I realize that just sanding the plastic may have give it the same effect.
Day light:
At dusk:
At night:
I had initially installed standard, yellow LEDs into it, but was disappointed with them. They weren't bright enough, so I installed Super Bright LEDs and re-wired them.
The LEDs had to be wired two at time in serial with a resistor. Those were then wired in parallel with the rest of the LEDs. A major pain, but they're as bright as can be.
I also added a second 9 volt battery. One 9 volt powers the top row of lights. The other powers the bottom row of lights. It was another attempt to brighten every thing up, but I don't know if it matters since the wiring is different.
Foam was added to the inside, top of the helmet. I probably added about 3" of foam to the forehead area. It was all I could do to keep the lights away from my face. The originals must have had a lot of padding in that area.
The light bars or covers were vacuum formed, clear plastic. In order to get the look of the originals, I sprayed the inside and outside with "frost" spray paint (Home Depot). Looking back, I realize that just sanding the plastic may have give it the same effect.
Day light:
At dusk:
At night:
