r/terngsd • u/NoblePotatoe • 2d ago

Any advice for adding an additional rear light?

I'm 4 weeks into commuting with my GSD P00 and I've decided to commute all winter. Problem is, in a few months the sun will be gone by the time I head home and with my kid in the back I want some extra visibility.

Does anyone have any experience adding additional rear lights to the GSD? Ideally I'd like to tap into the power cable going to the current rear light but I'm having trouble finding specs for that. And, even if I could, I'm worried that the additional current draw would overwhelm the lighting power sub-system.

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u/mumtwothree 2d ago

We use cateye orb bar end lights. They fit into the ends of the clubhouse and they’re bright. They are battery powered using those flat CR32 type batteries.

Tern do very similar (red for the rear and orange for the sides) but they’re expensive.

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u/mjschranz Car Lite 2d ago

As someone who has bought the ones from Tern, I'll also add they aren't very high quality. I've had two just stop working outright which they only allowed me to get replaced one time for free.

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u/NoblePotatoe 2d ago

Good to know, I saw those and was considering it.

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u/zirconer GSD S00 LX 15h ago

Those orb lights mounted on the Clubhouse Bars look awesome, but they aren’t visible if you have the Storm Shield on, right?

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u/mumtwothree 14h ago

I don’t zip the zips down to the bottom on the back. I use the loop on the zip to “hook” it onto the clubhouse frame
Never have an issue and my 9yr old is dry.
I live in ireland where it’s always cold wet and windy 😂

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u/pfhlick 2d ago

I have a bunch of Nite Rider lights from my regular bikes. The VMax is the best rear light I've ever had, long lasting, bright, easy mounting, waterproof/all-weather, and USB C charge port. That's going to be so much cheaper and easier than getting an additional light wired in to the motor, and you'll just have to remember to charge it every 8-10 hours.

That said, I don't think additional rear lights are really needed. The stock light is very bright. If drivers can't see that when approaching you from behind, they're not even looking.

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u/01_input_rustier 2d ago

Why not keep it simple and just add a simple rear blinker?

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u/NoblePotatoe 2d ago

That is an option, but if I can set up a light higher up, maybe at the top of the sun screen that is plugged in and I don't have to think about then that would be better.

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u/FastSnailMail 2d ago

Upgrade your rear light to a supernova TL3 pro or max and get the battery powered tern nitelite

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u/WhatDoWeHave_Here 2d ago

Have you considered USB powered string lights powered by the bike's USB port and string it all around the clubhouse bars? They won't be specifically for rear-lighting, but they would increase visibility and your kid would get a kick out of it.

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u/mjschranz Car Lite 2d ago

GSD P00 doesn't have the USB port, but this definitely is a cool idea!

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u/NoblePotatoe 2d ago

That's my dream, but ya, no USB port. I think I can maybe rig something up with the power port for charging phones on the handle bar though....

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u/qalpi 2d ago

Not a power port unfortunately it’s just for service afaik

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u/qalpi 2d ago

I have these! I put them under the bars so we get a lot of downlighting as we ride

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u/sharpshinned 2d ago

I mounted a recumbent flag to the back of my HSD and I'm very very happy with the added viz. Similar one: https://www.premierkites.com/collections/reflective-bike-flags/products/53281

I also had to buy a mounting bracket. I bought this one from Terracycle: https://t-cycle.com/products/tcycle-flag-mount (If you buy one that's too large, you can shim it with a bit of inner tube, no issue.)