When a bike's battery suddenly fails mid-ride and both the headlight and horn stop working, it can turn into a serious problem after dark. In Chhapra, Bihar, mechanics are solving exactly this problem for a mere ₹40, using a simple homemade trick.
A mechanic's trick from Techniwas Bazar
The case comes from Techniwas Bazar in the Riwilganj block of Saran district. A bike mechanic named Shravan Kumar fixes headlights and horns that stop working after a battery failure, using a low-cost, homemade solution. Youngsters in rural areas are known for coming up with this kind of practical jugaad, using whatever is available around them to get the job done. The biggest advantage of this fix is that it costs very little money and takes almost no time.
How ₹40 fixes the light and horn
The trick involves buying a condenser from any electronics shop, something easily available not just in Chhapra but almost everywhere. Wires are attached to both ends of the condenser, and it is then connected to the same wire that carries the battery's connection. The entire process takes less than a minute. Once done, the bike's headlight lights up almost like it would with a brand new battery, and the horn starts sounding much louder than before. Shravan Kumar says that even village children can easily fit this condenser trick themselves.
How long the fix lasts
Once the electric condenser is fitted to the bike, it works effectively for 3 to 6 months. Fitting the condenser boosts the battery's power, which makes the headlight glow brighter and the horn sound stronger. This lets riders avoid a bigger expense while getting an immediate, reliable fix for a low budget.
A fix built on years of experience
Shravan Kumar said he first used this trick himself several years ago, and since then he has fitted the same kind of electronic condenser in hundreds of vehicles to fix their lights and horns. He said the trick works well at very low cost, especially in difficult situations. A condenser costs around ₹30 in the market, while the mechanic charges ₹10 to fit it, bringing the total cost to just ₹40 to fully fix a bike's light and horn. According to Shravan Kumar, fitting the condenser causes no damage to the vehicle. Instead, it boosts the battery's power, which is what makes the light and horn work better. He advised that if someone finds themselves in a difficult situation with little money on hand, they can fit this condenser themselves and get the job done easily.
