|
Post by chas on Jun 2, 2014 12:09:31 GMT
There we go... Why arnt we all using these? What's the downside? Those old 'bottle' dynamo's are awful, lots of drag and wear out your tyre sidewall. The version from Spoakes looks better as the wear is on the tread of the tyre, but hub dynamo's are much better although heavy and expensive, more suited to touring bikes
|
|
|
Post by erictherat on Jun 2, 2014 12:17:11 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Spoakes on Jun 2, 2014 12:34:48 GMT
Could be on a handle bar mount or under saddle so when bike goes left and right as in lean it moves the magnet.
Don't know what sort of electrical field that would cause and how would affect the garmin or gps units.
|
|
|
Post by Spoakes on Jun 2, 2014 12:37:04 GMT
|
|
|
Post by captslog on Jun 2, 2014 13:08:32 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Radchenister on Jun 2, 2014 13:08:55 GMT
Charging phones needs a well managed charge, I think a dynamo would suit but has friction and mass side effects, a discrete mat style solar tab along a crossbar say, this might be lighter / aero and not effect anything but doubt a kinetic charger would do it - guessing mind you. But I can't see myself ever needing this unless out in the wilderness for days like @davefy7 was in Iceland ... if I turn all my app's off with my HTC One, just leaving it operating as a phone and use my Garmin (which will go for as least as long as there's daylight), then the phone will last all 20+ hrs as well. Sorry guys but you're probably overcomplicating something that there's not a huge demand for ... I'm ooot!!!
|
|
|
Post by Radchenister on Jun 2, 2014 13:18:54 GMT
They're quite neat though in light and mass terms, if they work as they say they do ... which is the gamble ... no energy is free though, you can only transfer it so wonder how this effects the wheel's rotation? ... but if they're light and efficient, then why not; would need to see an independent test on these (or if they want to send me some, then I'll do it ).
|
|
|
Post by Radchenister on Jun 2, 2014 13:23:28 GMT
... a further thought, I also fear that the flex I put into the wheel when cornering or climbing would cause rub / inefficiencies; wonder what the operational tolerances are?
|
|
|
Post by Radchenister on Jun 2, 2014 13:31:53 GMT
Ah ... bit of a biggie as don't think they're legal as they go off when you stop at junctions at the mo', my £13 sale bundle deal Cateye's are still working fine on the batteries they were supplied with in late summer of 2012 - I don't ride in the dark that often but did use them occasionally through two winters, beginning to think this is a complex and expensive solution as well.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisD on Jun 2, 2014 13:33:12 GMT
Now that really is dead clever. Using eddy currents set up by the spinning wheel rim next to the dynamo magnet to provide a contactless system to power the LEDs. Makes metal rims worth all the effort!! (Not that I can ever see myself riding carbon wheels). An inspired piece of tech that, and a great use of Kickstarter. Will be interesting to see if they come down in price if/when the technology takes off. I'm no expert but I expect they will as the design looks relatively simple so I would have thought that scaling up production would be the key to reducing costs. Thanks captslog.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisD on Jun 2, 2014 13:35:46 GMT
Ah ... bit of a biggie as don't think they're legal as they go off when you stop at junctions at the mo', my £13 sale bundle deal Cateye's are still working fine on the batteries they were supplied with in late summer of 2012 - I don't ride in the dark that often but did use them occasionally through two winters, beginning to think this is a complex and expensive solution as well. If you go to the Magniclight website Rad you can see that they have built in a "steadily light" function that causes the rear light to stay illuminated when stationary (in flashing mode no less). Clever, clever!
|
|
|
Post by captslog on Jun 2, 2014 13:40:44 GMT
If it's just a bit more longevity that you're after I'd say one of those battery packs is the answer. Solar is ok if you're going to be out for a long time, but sadly the panels can be too large, and whilst they would be great if you set-up somewhere for the day, this is unlikely with a cycling trip as this is when you expect to be moving. @rachenister: the tolerances look great enough to be able to stand a bit of flex, are you rubbing the brakes all the time? And while they will slow the wheel a little, I doubt that most would notice it, unlike a mechanical dynamo there are no moving parts other than those moving already. the amount of power needed to light an LED is very small.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisD on Jun 2, 2014 13:43:00 GMT
... the amount of power needed to light an LED is very small. Indeed, that's the key to the thing.
|
|
|
Post by captslog on Jun 2, 2014 13:47:02 GMT
Ah ... bit of a biggie as don't think they're legal as they go off when you stop at junctions at the mo', my £13 sale bundle deal Cateye's are still working fine on the batteries they were supplied with in late summer of 2012 - I don't ride in the dark that often but did use them occasionally through two winters, beginning to think this is a complex and expensive solution as well. If you go to the Magniclight website Rad you can see that they have built in a "steadily light" function that causes the rear light to stay illuminated when stationary (in flashing mode no less). Clever, clever! I can see them being very popular in some EU countries that will ONLY allow dynamo lights as the legal standard. I think it might be Germany and Holland. The germans have to have lights that stay on for a period after the bike has stopped too. The reason is that they don't trust batteries, or the ability of people to keep them 'fresh' so only generated volts will do.
|
|
|
Post by Radchenister on Jun 2, 2014 13:52:42 GMT
Fair enough, if they're reliable and can overcome the concerns get them to say £40-50 and we're rolling - if they stay above £75, then they're a bit pricey for occasional user and certainly not going to be on every child's bike.
|
|