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  • (Sorry, went out after work and left this reply hanging):-

    I could see how it would be nice to have a single central battery system, with a spare wiring loom available for multiple bikes, as some kind of ideal system.

    When I used to need big lighting requirements (Audaxing, often on a choice of 3 bikes*, I needed enough light for hairy Welsh descents, and to run overnight [sometimes multiple nights]) my plan centred around lights powered by rechargeable AA batteries.

    (Most of this was 10-15 years ago, but the principle still applies)

    The rear lights were generic/cheap enough that i'd just have a couple of each bike. Usually the hand-grenade style Cateye rear (old TL-LD1100) and a TL-LD600 on a seat stay as a backup. I'd also have a cheap clip on one on the back of any luggage.

    For the front I'd have two B&M Ixon IQ. Powered by rechargeable AA batteries. They'd be mounted on a SpaceGrip that would either be attached to the bars or under the stem. The SpaceGrip mounts were in two halves, one bit attached to the bike, the other bit screwed on to that with the lights on it. That meant I could have the mount part on each bike ready and I just needed to swap the other half over if I was going to use a different bike.

    The Ixon IQ lights had a low and high power mode. One light on low was good for dusk riding. Higher power for night. Then switch the other one low for twisty lanes and finally both on high for descending. It was easy to switch between modes whilst riding.

    If the lights started to complain about low batteries I'd use the other one as primary and then remember to swap the batteries out. Carrying spare batteries was key. I'd have 2 or 3 spare sets of rechargeables with me all fully charged. Any batteries swapped out were dumped in a bag clearly marked as "deflated batteries". Just got into a routine of making sure I started a ride with enough spare charged rechargeables, and dealt with the dead ones whenever I got home. Having a good stash of rechargeables (and a good individual cell charger) was key.

    It also removes the worry about recharging each and every night, or after each journey, as you just swap out the batteries as and when they die. Although you do need to get into a good habit of checking that the spares are all charged and ready. You also make sure you have a good number of spare sets of batteries. Having just enough with some of those being in a charger will lead to times when you forget.

    I also carried a couple of packs of Lithium AA batteries for emergencies. They're light and last for years if not used, so they can remain stuffed at the bottom of a bag just in case.

    * Steel geared, crabon geared, steel fixed

  • An option like this but more modern is lights that use 18650 cells. I have an old fenix light that does and it's quite nice.

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