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You serious?
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Get one and test it then.
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I have a Revo now. Sell me the Sinewave.
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I don't have had numbers, but its proper rapid, and I didn't even ride the damned thing (compared to an E-werk). Just spun the wheel. The bike was simply in the stand and I had my phone plugged in to set it all up.
Very impressed, except the the USB plug seems to be susceptible to water damage. -
There's some discussion in the YACF thread linked above about the advisability of trying to waterproof USB connectors. Igaro's take is that it's better to let water drain out; they've also made the port on the D1 replaceable, as they reckon any one used in all weathers will eventually corrode. This is inherent to the USB spec - the pins are too small and closely spaced for robustness against the elements.
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Replaceable, but a hassle to do so depending on how you feel about glue guns and soldering irons.
@gillies The two guys I installed for are both heading to TCR, so want absolute reliability or as close to. Only one's stopped charging so far after two 300k rides, so not sure what the issue might be, I was willing to investigate, but the guy decided to send back to Igaro.
The USB connector had a fair bit of rust, but I wouldn't have thought this would have been an issue electrically. I would personally try any options to help (paging @hippy for his idea). Simplest would be to leave the USB end in a TT mounted feedbag and use when needed.
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I used two of these, 'permanently' stuck into the D1:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12cm-Very-Short-USB-2-0-High-Speed-Cable-EXTENSION-Lead-A-Male-Plug-to-Female-/400708565329?hash=item5d4c177951:g:7wYAAOSwnNBXZ8RWIf the connectors on their ends die, I can rip them out and replace them. This leaves the D1 connectors rust free and any wear-and-tear happens to the cheap cables. It also makes plugging stuff in easier because my D1 is fixed in an odd spot.
You could do the same thing with longer USB cables of the same variety and then leave whatever item you are charging in a waterproof bag. The D1 needs to be in the open air though, for heat um release whatchamacallit.
Where do you work @Chak ? My ultra bike is up and running again but if you're nearby I could do with other handy wrenching peeps.
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Hi Chak,
The user/D1 you refer to had a little bit of rust however that wasn't the issue - the issue was the pins were seized from electrolysis. It's exactly how we say the port shouldn't be installed - if the injection moulded lead from your phone is at the bottom then water can't drain and creates a bath for which the 5V between the pins to pass. Two days is all it took for it to fail.
Is it an issue? Absolutely, but you'll have the same problem with any USB device not just the D1 - which is why our port is outside the device. Better to replace the port then throwing it in the trash sometime after the 1yr warranty ends (that's not the D1 warranty).
Best solution:
Ideally cable tie the connector directly under the stem with the wires from both the D1 and the USB device cable bending a little towards the ground - that way water can't hit it from above and water can't run into it.
Waterproofing:
The problem with waterproofing is once it fails the water sits there and creates this bath of water in which the pins dissolve. We made the port drainable (not via injection moulding which is half the price) to prevent this (it's not perfect but it's something) - but the user must have the D1 port at the bottom. It's not perfect though, any path the electricity can take between the 5v and 0v of the USB port will eat the pins.
I highly recommend installing under the stem for a long life. A dab of WD40/GT80 may help as well. If it does fail, we have the service on the website to replace it. Cost is about £5 posted back to you.
We're looking for alternatives but haven't found one as of yet. Prevention is better than cure - there are D1's touring the world for over 6 months now, no problems. It's all about how you install the port as to how long it'll last.
The D1 main unit should last forever. Zero failures so far, a record we are mighty proud off.
Regards,
Andrew
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Hi Andrew.
First and foremost. Incredible service on your behalf, it floored me when he dropped off the unit earlier repaired and with the worksheet too. Massive kudos to you guys. You'll be my go to guys for anyone looking for USB capability for bikes.
As far as I'm concerned, the unit has ran perfectly since initial set up and I'm sure it will continue to do so.
The USB issue is simply something that the user has to adapt to since it is fundamentally and understandably the weakest link in the setup.The difficulty in this build is having to juggle the placement of the Igaro VS Di2 plugs, and as he is using TT bars, it complicated things somewhat. So it's basically hoses, di2, dynamo cables and the Igaro.
I've found a neat trick which I could use your advice on placement. I've taped the unit from the dynamo, by the head-tube, onto the front brake hose, as I found if I attached it to the head tube, there was far too much side to side flex in the Igaro cables, which worried me about longevity. This was the whole unit is static as he steers.
This simply leaves me to find a good spot to attach the USB port so it's out of the way, but still accessible.The customer is quite particular about placement, which is understandable as he'll be on the bike for hours on end. I might try drill a couple of small holes under the elbow bars of the TT bars so I can tie the USB port to it, so this way it'll have protection from the elements.
What do you think?
Great work by the way. It's an impressive piece of kit.
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talbotframeworks do that, they wrap a little of the D1 wire around the hose. There's a picture on our Facebook page of it. As hippy suggests, perhaps a short 30cm extension lead will give you greater flexibility? Perhaps the D1 port would go up the crown fork where it won't get wet at all, then the 30cm extension becomes a sacrificial part.
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Old thread but I was wondering if there are any Igaro users here? A friend of mine is bike packing to Asia and had 2 Igaros fail. Apparently you have to unplug/switch off the Igaro when going at high speeds (downhills) whilst not charging anything. Anyone have any experiences to share?
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@acharnley
Hi Andrew,Was out on the tandem a few weeks ago and found the front light (B&M IQ-X) wasn't running particularly brightly. My D1 (model 2) is semi-permanently (ie bullet connectors) connected in parallel with the light but wasn't charging anything. The light became much brighter when I disconnected a lead from the D1 so it was completely isolated. Is this draw of power while unused expected behaviour? I've checked your website but you've updated the device so quickly it's hard to find info on the oldest models!
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Is @acharnley still on the forum? Just thinking about buying a second Igaro and wondered what's changed since my prototype unit compared to the funky-looking new models? Obviously the materials and connectors are different but does it basically do the same thing? Does it still have to be mounted externally to catch air to keep cool?
Seems to be out of stock anyway, any idea when these will be available again?
https://www.igaro.com/shop -
Seems to be out of stock anyway, any idea when these will be available again?
https://www.igaro.com/shopD1 production has ended, but we'll be back! Please see our Facebook page for further updates.
fussballclub
skinny
Chak
gillies
Thrustvector
hippy
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pj2606
MisterTomTom
MichaelG
hamrack
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Igaro D1 "Next Generation" Dynamo Hub Power Converter Reviewers Required
Posted by
@acharnley
How much better than my sinewave would this be?
In numbers? Charging time, efficency etc.