Thursday, April 10, 2014

DIY Brightest Collapsible Kayak Light

I have never been satisfied with the brightness of off the shelf lights and my DIY light. I have had a few to close to call encounters due to the going to the light! Here is what you need.
Items needed to build this light were:

  • Tektite Mark III 4 LED light $24.99
  • (1) section of 3/4" thin wall PVC 12" long
  • (2) sections of 1/2" sch 40 PVC 12" long
  • (2) 1/2 slip couplers
  • (1) 3/4 slip coupler
  • (1) 3/4 to 1/2 adapter
  • (1) 1/2 end cap
  • 3-4 feet of Bungee cord
  • (1) SS bolt and nut
  • Drill and bit slightly larger than the bungee
Step  1 put the Teklite light in the 3/4 PVC pipe. The bungee that comes on the light is pulled out the end using a piece of cord or what ever you prefer. Slip the bolt through a hole drilled in the bottom of the PVC and through the bungee to hold it in the PVC tight. The light twist at the top to turn on and change the batteries so you will never have to pull it out technically,

Step 2 Attach the end of the long bungee cord to the bolt,
Step 3 using a 3/4" coupler and a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter slip that on the bungee,
Step 4 slip a section of the 1/2 PVC on the bungee
Step 5 add 1/2" coupler and another section of 1/2 PVC
Step 6 drill a hole through the side or out the end cap and thread the bungee through,
Step 7 assemble the sections together and pull the bungee tight and tie a knot in the end. 

This light is extremely bright. The photo was taken at 45 feet away. You can change this anyway you like as far as lengths etc. Its a great light for under $30.