Kinetic Energy Generator - - - for USB devices.

[Cosmo K]

I was researching battery power for riding and came across this and thought you all might be interested.  Seems to be perfect for anyone needing portable backup power for devices (phone, gps, camera, lights, etc.)  It's a kinetic energy generator.  Looks interesting....weighs 11 ounces...a little heavy but pretty cool.

http://www.npowerpeg.com/

[nick]

That's super cool! and only 160$. Only problem is it's on back order and you have to go on a wait list to get one.

[CrazyAboutUltras]

I must say ABOUT TIME!
I have to say I am intrigued and would love to hear more reviews!
But finally!
I have been daydreaming of a device like this for sometime now.

[mmeiser]

Sounds like an extremely sweet idea.

Just mount it to your front fork tube and you'd be all set for power on an entire trip. Could be a lot more durable and weatherproof then any solar setup.

Of course I must say I'm always the skeptic until I see one working. Todays GPS and smart phones require a very high level of power to even recharge so while I'm all ears I'm not buying until I see some really good reviews.

For example Spot GPS trackers pretty much require lithiom ion batteries, so no rechargeable AA that might trickle charge in this device is going to work for spot batteries    Or if it does, not for long.

From what I've read it takes at least a 5W solar panel to consistently charge some of the GPS and smartphones out there.

As for weight... this is still way lighter then any solar or dynamo hub solution.  What's more I'm sure one could completely reverse engineer it to cut out more weight.  I imagine half of that weight is the kinetic ballast.

Anyway, since batteries are one of the only "tethers" I've got I'm going to keep searching for power solutions for bikepacking until I no longer need to carry battery "fuel" at all.

I've switched to a sub-2oz wood stove this summer and am hugely pleased, no more stove fuel to carry. So my only dependence on civilization is a smartphone I use for a camera/GPS/mp3 player/info resource/communications/blogging and perhaps in the future a AA Garmin GPS which is sort of inevitable for Divide type use. 

BTW, I get about 3 days use out of my smartphone with heavy use of GPS, camera, blogging, etc. I ride with cellular communications completely off and GPS always on.

Once I get a GPS I'm assuming the smartphone will last 4-5 days, maybe even 6 since GPS is the most battery killing feature. When I did the Eastern divide last january I kept it charged by stopping once a day.  It's a hog of a device, but it still beats carrying seperate camera, emergency phone, mp3 player (I'd just leave at home), etc.  Plus I find the communications/blogging/email/facebook/photo posting features to be the most integral features.

On my 1500+ mile trip down the eastern divide last january I'd usually stop once a day for a meal at some random cafe/restraunt and immediately start my phone charging.  By the time I was served and got out of there in an hour it'd be all topped up. Was also a good time to use cellular/GPS/ETC to blog/ upload some photos, etc.  One can of course do the same thing at gas stations or other stops. There is always an outlet. The key is to make starting your techno device charging step number one before doing anything else.  i.e. using the bathroom, washing clothes in the bathroom sink, otherwise cleaning up, shopping for / restocking food, refilling water bottles, etc, etc, etc.

Still, as much as I love the features of such devices as smartphones and GPS, and as much as I can make full use of tiny outposts of civilization like gas stations to do things more conviently as I could in the wild (restroom, laundry in a sink, refuelling drinkable water, quick hot meals, etc, etc.) I resent any dependancy on going into civilization then absolutely essential.

== Smartphones ==
BTW, looking at the latest crop of smartphones... They're now up to full 1080p video, and tha cameras are always improving. Funniest thing I learned is a month after returning from my trip and shooting some 3000-4000 8mpx photos plus lots of 720pixel wide format video... I finally filled my card. But when I plugged it into my computer to back up and remove all my photos (that I hadn't posted online), I found all my photos had saved to and filled up the 8gb internal card.  The 32gig card I bought was still completely empty except for a couple gigs of music I put on it.  I mine as well not have even bought it for the trip, lol.

I'm still hoping smartphones will keep getting more battery efficient. Especially the screens. Also, always looking for a bigger screen, and possibly a folding / rolling USB/bluetooth keyboard.  This is all I need to basically write, blog, photog, email, video shoot a theoretical novel/movie of content on the road.

== other potential charging solutions ==

1) dynamo hubs... expensive, heavy and don't work with disc brakes... unless I've overlooked something??

2) solar... getting there, probably the most popular, getting lighter, cheaper and more reliable, but still bulky, high maintence, delicate, and don't work unless it's a sunny day.

3) kinetic, as mentioned above... still very experimental

4) fuel cells... i.e. hydrogen power... still very experimental but I have seen chargers that work off other fuels that are more readily available

5) thermal charging... I'm still waiting for someone to make a thermal charger I can put in the fire orin the evening with an insulated cord running out. Haven't seen anything yet. Could work on steam power, could work on thermal metals, who knows. Hell, one could practically make one that sits on top of their pot using steam and it'd weigh less then a pound.

[bbaker22]

1) dynamo hubs... expensive, heavy and don't work with disc brakes... unless I've overlooked something??

Expensive - yes, 199 euro + whatever it'll cost for a charging setup (like the B&M E-Werk)
Heavy - not too bad, 395g
Work with disc brakes - yes

Check out the Schmidt Sondelux Disc

http://www.starbike.com/php/product_info.php?lang=en&pid=11678

edit: that nPower PEG is conceptually very cool.  I'd like to see how it works out in the real world...

[bmike-vt]

Mike, you really should check out a dyno solution. The best shimano is pretty good, and reasonably priced compared to the German SON, they both take discs. Several of them on the TD this year - awaiting some ride report info.

I love my dyno for my randonnering rig. Light all night, for nights on end. Will be getting an ewerk or something similar next year (budget always gets in the way...) for phone, GPS charging.

Heavy? Not too bad. Yes, they aren't going to compete with race wheels.

$$- not really seeing that the German hubs are pretty bomb proof and will last a long time... And the shimano offering is much cheaper, especially if you can get it at wholesale pricing.

[mmeiser]

Thanks @bmike-vt and @bbaker22, I stand corrected on the disc issue. Sure wish I could get some reviews from those using them on the TD this year.   My biggest worry is how they'll hold up to rain. My bike ends up in the rain ALOT when I tour. I never submerse my hubs, but I replace about a cone a year and two outset bottom brackets.  And I'm almost certain the outset bottom brackets are because they have inferior rain protection. Indeed I'm thinking of trying something like an oversized rubberband. Perhaps it'll keep the water out.

My road bike is always picking up creaks in the chainring bolts, even after switching to steel. Luckily I found a spritz of PB blaster takes this right out (just keep it far away from any bearings) at least PB takes it out until the next time I ride in the rain.  And this is my road bike mind you. My touring rigs, especially my fargo see more rain still. Whole days of riding in the rain.

That said... yes... I need to try one, and soon. I assume USB adapters for them are now common???

So which is better the Shimano or the Schmidt Sondelux Disc.

[mmeiser]

doing the math 395 grams or .8 lbs or 13.9 ounces is going to be lighter then any solar charging solution. Would require a USB out and then I'm sure I could get a USB to AA charger. 

[bmike-vt]

My Brevet bike gets ridden in the rain, mud, snow. I've had a SON on it since 2006. It was replaced under warranty back in 09, something about the old model dyno core seal having issues so no charge to me. I was given the option of having the core replaced, or a new hub. I chose the new hub - so I had to rebuild the wheel. Since then, smooth sailing. 24 hour fleche ride in 18 hours of rain. Numerous we, dirty, muddy 60 and 80 mile rides. Freezing rain, etc.

Some friends with the Shimanos have had good luck as well running them as commuters.

[bbaker22]

Thanks @bmike-vt and @bbaker22, I stand corrected on the disc issue. Sure wish I could get some reviews from those using them on the TD this year.   My biggest worry is how they'll hold up to rain. My bike ends up in the rain ALOT when I tour. I never submerse my hubs, but I replace about a cone a year and two outset bottom brackets.  And I'm almost certain the outset bottom brackets are because they have inferior rain protection. Indeed I'm thinking of trying something like an oversized rubberband. Perhaps it'll keep the water out.

My road bike is always picking up creaks in the chainring bolts, even after switching to steel. Luckily I found a spritz of PB blaster takes this right out (just keep it far away from any bearings) at least PB takes it out until the next time I ride in the rain.  And this is my road bike mind you. My touring rigs, especially my fargo see more rain still. Whole days of riding in the rain.

That said... yes... I need to try one, and soon. I assume USB adapters for them are now common???

So which is better the Shimano or the Schmidt Sondelux Disc.

I've used my Shimano for many miles on my cyclocross/commuter bike.  No problems for me in the rain, yet.

I haven't researched chargers for dynos for a while.  Last time I checked, there was the E-werk and the Dahon Reecharge.  There are probably others.

The Schmidt is slightly lighter than the latest Shimano and has slightly less rolling resistance.  On the other hand, it is far more expensive.

[mbeardsl]

That's super cool! and only 160$. Only problem is it's on back order and you have to go on a wait list to get one.

Apparently not on back order anymore but nowhere does it say that on the website.  I ordered one today at store.npowerpeg.com after emailing them about backlog of orders.  Should be here early next week, hope to try it out and will report back if anyone is interested.

[bbaker22]

Apparently not on back order anymore but nowhere does it say that on the website.  I ordered one today at store.npowerpeg.com after emailing them about backlog of orders.  Should be here early next week, hope to try it out and will report back if anyone is interested.

Definitely interested in hearing your impressions. 

Thanks!

[mbeardsl]

So I'm pretty disappointed in this toy so far. I stress the word toy. More or less a glorified shakelight without the light.

I fully charged it with my computer twice - avg 2hr20min.
Then plugged my HTC Thunderbolt phone - only added 10% to the battery life each time before fully discharged, and took about 45 mins.
So, unless this thing is a dud (doubtful given other reviews I've seen) I'm not convinced this to be a great option.
I also swear I got a refurbished machine, as it looks like it has had some use for some time.
I have no idea yet how long you would have to walk/hike/bike/whatever to fully charge it, but doesn't seem like even if it took you 30 mins it would be much help as you'd have to recharge your device every 30 minutes.
More capacity is its major downfall so far.
It also doesn't show what its charge is until you plug it in so you'd have to plug something in and discharge to see what your progress has been.

Dynamo would certainly be the best option but for hikers, skiers, etc there are likely better options out there that are cheaper, lighter, and give you more power or more efficient power.  There a lot of hand crank units out there but few have a battery to store the energy and most I've seen charge through a cigarette lighter which would involve something else to carry - for each item you want to charge.

[mmeiser]

@mbeards... unforetuneatly pretty much exactly what I would expect. Thanks for sharing.

[DaveH]

Ah shucks.  I was hoping for a little more - what isn't there to like about "free" power?

Thanks for taking one for the team.