Dynamo hubs

hippy approves

How are people wiring up their USB chargers (D1 in my case) and lights? Did I ask this already?

I've got the SP dyno and now have spare SP connectors but I don't want to get off the bike and swap hub connections all the time - can I just connect the D1 and light up full time? Or should I have some kind of switch in there?

Guess I should read this: http://d1.igaro.com/res/manual.pdf

"Use the original connector provided with the dynamo, feed the wires through (either way around) and plug in."

"Where you are running dynamo lights, you can 'piggyback' off your current wiring, but don't connect the D1 to a regulator – it should get it's power direct from the dynamo. "

So, no switch needed it seems. It's just always good to go.

Hey hippy... http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com/

I wired my usb charger and light to the same connector onto the hub.
Then just use the one I want.

Beauty. If I get the bike for this weekend's audax I'll try hooking it up but I'll definitely also carry my Exposure battery lights because I fully expect...

Here's the D1 "Next Generation". ETA about a week. :)

The photo makes it look taller than it is, only 5mm in fact. It's sitting on rubber mounts that stick onto the head tube.

1 Attachment

For joining multiple devices, I find these work best;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40-x-Motorcycle-Car-Bullet-Connectors-3-9mm-Terminals-Male-Female-Double-/391436360842

I went with these, they don't require as much force to put together and will fit through narrower holes (in frames/mudguard).

I got a couple of USB extensions in the post today. I'll wack them in the D1 and seal it up.

I'm still debating whether to leave it up on the aerobars or if I should add a switch and then it could sit in my framebag charging a battery. Switch = another point of failure though and with my wiring skills probably a big point of failure!

Not seen those before (not in that small size), excellent!

Do they do doublers?

Meaning a pair of connectors joined at the hip? Not that I've found, but it's easy enough to heatshrink a pair together. They feel more solid than the a crimp as its soldered straight into a cup. Feels very positive!

I'm going to get a battery pack with charge-through and then try leaving the D1 in the new framebag. Hopefully with it charging the battery full time it won't get too hot?

Try to fix it outside of the framebag, in the headtube would be great, with the usb ports pointing downwards... it will help avoid heating things inside the framebag and also helping with the D1 cool down

If it's plugged into a battery all the time will it still heat up? Not sure how I can mount it to the head tube. Velcro and a zip tie maybe but I want it all in a bag.

Yes, as described by @acharnley if the speed is too high, it will turn the heat sink and start heating up. That was my experience. I mounted it temporarily on the headtube with the framebag velcro straps, but something involving a bolt or zip ties and the handlebar/aero bars would be a better solution

Did yours heat up even when it was charging something?

The fact that its draining power from the dynamo, and converting it to the usb ports... has nothing to do with the fact that the heatsink is triggered. Its just a matter of "if too much electricity arrives to the unit, dump it as heat to avoid problems".

Thats the reason why it still heats up even without no usb connected, and why I'm thinking about putting a electrical switch in the cable that connects the unit to the dynamo, to avoid that problem when not using it.

The heat comes from the protection circuit being triggered. If some of the power coming out of the D1 is going into a battery, is it enough to stop the protection circuit triggering and the unit heating up? We need @acharnley for this. I can still mount it where I had it on the aerobars but thought it would be neater and more protected if all the elec stayed in the bag. I assumed having the battery charging all the time would be enough to stop the protection circuit kicking in but I really have no idea.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/159454/?offset=425#comment13097936

"Always charge a device (although the D1 efficiency means the protection may still kick in, and it's likely if the device is already charged and not consuming power)."

Ahhh

Looks like my brilliant plan isn't so brilliant again.

Yup, if you're charging it causes the voltage to drop across the dynamo. At that point you'll have to be going really fast for the protection to still kick in. bertocq has managed, probably because within a 20hr sprint the device becomes charged.

This is incorrect, the two are directly related. The voltage level from the dynamo is determined by;

a) how fast you're going
b) how much load there is on the dynamo (usb, lights).

You can avoid the overvoltage situation (protection trigger) by either;

a) slowing down :)
b) charging equipment, powering devices

When a device charges it places a load on the dynamo. Let's say you're going at warp speed - 60kph, and the dynamo is producing 60V. The USB may consume 20V to charge the device, the protection activates at 20V (approx) so 20V must be shed as heat.

[ these are example figures used to explain the process, not actual figures ]

It is the last value that you want to lower (ideally to 0V).

Hope this helps!

Andrew

What are the recommended options for a dynamo hub(silver, disc) and lights system?
I've never seen a dynamo hub and know nothing. What to look for?

I don't want to forget my lights any more!

Depends on the disc type but SP and SON dynamos catered for my disc requirements and are both meant to be decent with some saying SON edges SP in terms of bearing life but SP winning for weight.

Thanks.
6 hole.
Looks like SP wins on price too, which is also a concern here.
Can I thread the hollow axles to make it bolt on?

What about lights? front+rear.
minimalist, reliable, silver aluminium. Do I want usb port to charge other stuff?

If you don't want to break the bank on a dynamo hub, rose bikes do a shimano xt one for about £60 which is just as good as the son and the sp, but just not as spendy...

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:515917

Think they also do a none xt silver version..

Lights wise go to seems to be a Bosch muller.. Again check out ride bikes for a wide range at good prices..

Mine has a thruaxle to quick release axle adapter installed.

I use Supernova lights front and rear with @acharnley D1 to charge USB.

Hi all,

What's the current forum fave disc hub dynamo and F&R lights combo (which will take a USB device like @acharnley 's)?

To be used for commuting, fast touring, occasional off-road stuff. Price not too much of a concern (functionality more important...) - generally for longer faster rides...

Ta,