Hub dynamo and electronics thread.

[Yogi the Barry]

Wrong diameter to fit near the stem bulge on oversize road and mountain bike bars, which are 31.8mm at the stem. Might work on older mountain bike bars, 25.4, and old road bike bars, 26.0.
Here a trick part made in the US...
http://ticycles.com/TCF/hardware.html
And the Topeak BarXtender, easy to modify, fits just about any diameter bar/stem...
http://www.topeak.com/products/Xtras/BarXtender

Here is a mount that allows you to mount the Luxos U to your handlebar
http://www.rivbike.com/Handlebar-light-mount-p/lt101.htm

[david.dean]

Hello - my name is Dave; I'm from Sinewave Cycles.  This is a great thread, and I'm just posting on it to let you know that we are having a pre and post holiday sale for the Revolution.  Use discount code HOLIDAYS2013 from now until January 5 and get 10% off a Revolution, and as always we have free domestic shipping. 

If you have any questions please let me know at info (at) sinewavecycles (dot) com, or check out www.sinewavecycles.com

Thanks!

[Roland Sturm]

I for one had problems with the Plug. It is easy to install, seems convenient, but at least their first batch failed fast. It was the "power amplification" or whatever they called it. I sent an e-mail and they sent a replacement cable (the failed component is in the cable). Customer service is good, they respond quickly, just takes a while to get the replacement. Since I only got the replacement this week and haven't installed it yet, can't tell you if it is more reliable. Here is the e-mail response:

Hello Mr. Sturm,
 
thanks for the quick response!
Your description sounds like something went wrong inside the PAT unit. With the first generation of PAT cables there was a diode built in that shut itself off if too much heat was generated, e.g. riding downhill for a longer period of time.
There is a second generation of PAT cable now which has been changed, so that you don’t run into an upper limit anymore.
We will send you one of these cables as a warranty replacement free of charge.
 
Kind regards
Felix Mücke
 
Tout-Terrain
Service & Technik
Industriestr. 11
79194 Gundelfingen
(0049)-(0)761-20551005
mail     service@tout-terrain.de
web     www.tout-terrain.de
 

[Roland Sturm]

Anyone who runs a The Plug II topcap usb converter-- did you have to drill a hole in your fork crown for cable routing? I have never seen a fork with a hole in it like they describe on the site and am curious how to make this work

I'm running it with a suspension fork. Also, my impression is the opposite, most forks are open, easy to route. Out of our 7 bikes in the garage, there is only one that is closed (a superlight carbon fork from Seven Cycles - and not a bike I'd put a dynamo hub on either, nor would I do any drilling on a carbon fork).

[Wandering by Bicycle]

I'm currently running a Schmidt SON 28 with the original version of the Tout Terrain Plug and like many, I had the "PAT unit" fail. I abandoned the idea of USB charging and removed the Plug, but for the current tour I'm on I really wanted the charging option. I contacted Tout Terrain and had a replacement cable in abut a week and a half. I've been using the Plug with the replacement cable for the past two weeks and feel not only have they fixed the problem, they have improved the performance. With my iPod plugged in charging begins at about a walking pace and charging from 1/4 battery to full charge takes about 3 hours. Also, the resistance while charging seems to be less then with the original PAT unit, but this is just subjective.
For mounting I am using a standard steerer tube star nut and I just drilled out one of the "wings" to route the cable through. I wrapped some plastic tubing around the cable where it passes through the star nut to prevent chafing of the wires.

[Couloirman]

OK stupid question here about dynamo physics. I just bought a new SP PD-8x and this is my first dynamo. Is the physical resistance against pedaling the same when you are powering devices or not? All other variables aside-- on a flat track with no wind at a constant speed, will my legs be feeling the same resistance against pedaling with the dynamo hub unplugged vs powering a light or charging batteries? And does it depend on how much power the device it is plugged into is drawing?

I might get a k lite system that has a 1000/600 lumen switch and wondered if there was any reason to ever use the 600 lumen setting. If you were feeling the same resistance no matter what the hub was plugged into I didnt see any advantage to ever really using the lower output setting.

[the tortoise]

My advice is to not worry about any drag. When you turn the hub by hand you will feel it. When it is mounted to the bike, whether or not you are powering a light or a device it is not noticeable and a non factor. Sure saves on batteries and worrying about charging things.
That burger you ate for lunch will probably cause more drag!

[Couloirman]

Oh for sure, Im not worried about the drag at all, or else I wouldn't have even bought the thing. I know I won't actually 'feel' the difference. I am simply curious about how electronics work and wondered about the physics behind the dynamo and how/when it draws its power.

[the tortoise]

http://www.bikequarterly.com/VBQgenerator.pdf


http://www.tourintune.com/hub-dynamo-systems-for-bicycle-touring-part-1/

[Couloirman]

http://www.bikequarterly.com/VBQgenerator.pdf


http://www.tourintune.com/hub-dynamo-systems-for-bicycle-touring-part-1/

Thanks for that! The table at the end of the first article sums it up nicely.

[Enzo149]

I just got a Exposure dynamo and Revo light set up. Quality seems top notch. I have yet to wire it up and use it since I had a few questions before doing so. When I bought the light I also got their boost cable which plugs into the output of the light with a female USB as the output. With plans to use that as my charger for my Garmin 810 and smart phone. But I am not seeing anyone using this setup?

It seems to be a trend here for people to use a catche battery and a usb hub of some sorts. This seems to be to isolate the electronics(GPS, phone etc..) from the dynamo. And to create a power buffer to keep electronics from cutting and fading out. From reading the Revo seems to be designed to not fade out at low speeds or quick stops. Can I expect this from the output as well? Since the USB output is not direct from the dynamo and should be a clean signal from light should I be concerned about damaging my electronics?

The USB werks seems like a sweet set up. But I would like to keep things as simple as possible.

Thanks in advance

[DoctorRad]

There's a tear-down of the Revo by the small-scale manufacturer kLite here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.694651890555604.1073741844.216937588327039&type=1

The comments on the third picture may be of interest. I'd ask Kerry over there on FB if the output is buffered.

[the tortoise]

Write up on using a smartphone as a gps: http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm

[richpips]

I just got a Exposure dynamo and Revo light set up. Quality seems top notch. I have yet to wire it up and use it since I had a few questions before doing so. When I bought the light I also got their boost cable which plugs into the output of the light with a female USB as the output. With plans to use that as my charger for my Garmin 810 and smart phone. But I am not seeing anyone using this setup?

It seems to be a trend here for people to use a catche battery and a usb hub of some sorts. This seems to be to isolate the electronics(GPS, phone etc..) from the dynamo. And to create a power buffer to keep electronics from cutting and fading out. From reading the Revo seems to be designed to not fade out at low speeds or quick stops. Can I expect this from the output as well? Since the USB output is not direct from the dynamo and should be a clean signal from light should I be concerned about damaging my electronics?

The USB werks seems like a sweet set up. But I would like to keep things as simple as possible.

Thanks in advance

The problem with wiring a Dynamo direct  to the Usb is a) at low speeds you will not generate 5v. Plus at v low speeds the current is very choppy. b) Lots of USB products (eg iPhone) require a constant voltage of 5v.

When I was a kid I turned a room light switch on off on off etc. It eventually blew the fuse.

[sfuller]

Oh for sure, Im not worried about the drag at all, or else I wouldn't have even bought the thing. I know I won't actually 'feel' the difference. I am simply curious about how electronics work and wondered about the physics behind the dynamo and how/when it draws its power.

When on pavement, I can barely tell when there's a power draw on my Schmidt hub when climbing hills. Mostly due to a slight vibration I can feel in my bars (odd I know). My legs can't tell if it's on or off, whether I'm riding pavement or gravel.

[Yogi the Barry]

FYI - Exposure Revo at Backcountry.com, light/mount only, no hub. $165-ish I assume they include the very nice Exposure bar mount with the light head...

http://www.backcountry.com/exposure-revo-dynamo-light?ti=UExQIENhdDo6MToyOTpiY3NDYXQxNDExMDAwMDky

Edit: Same deal also at http://www.competitivecyclist.com

[Snowbd2u]

Niterider lumina 700...... Ay users out there? Little cheaper than other USB lights I've seen, as my local shop can get them.

[Yogi the Barry]

I e-mailed Exposure about the lack of heatsink issue that kLite mentioned. They said their design allows for enough cooling and it is a non-issue. They also brush off that any design secrets were stolen.

There's a tear-down of the Revo by the small-scale manufacturer kLite here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.694651890555604.1073741844.216937588327039&type=1

The comments on the third picture may be of interest. I'd ask Kerry over there on FB if the output is buffered.

[Couloirman]

In terms of the smallest, lightest, fastest charging 4xAA USB charger-- what is everyone using? I have a modified Kemo USB interface from K lite and need to find a good AA charger to use with it. Was debating something like the eneloop charger but was hoping I could get something smaller. I just need the device to charge AAs, not something to use AAs to charge something else like a phone, I have that covered with the kemo

Also, I know dynamo hubs do well on terrain like the tour divide, but I was debating throwing one on my CTR/AZTR bike as well. How many people have really tested dynamo hubs in the trail riding environment? Holding up just fine? I have an SP PD-8x for reference

[Marshal]

have enjoyed the comments, questions, expertise and know-how on this thread---

now on my TDR blog----

I am just beginning to test out my new Exposure Revo light and hub.  And will also be testing my new Sinewave USB charger. 

This stuff is all new to me so my perspective is truly from a novice point of view, take it for what it's worth........