Hub dynamo and electronics thread.

[Yogi the Barry]

I'm just running the [Revo] light off the hub right now, but I'm sure the power corrupts adage will come true, once I start hooking other toys to the hub.
From what I've read, 0.5A is about the max output a hub can source, without a complex circuitry inverter and/or a battery or large capacitor(s).
BTW, I purchased my Revo/USE-Exposure [SP sourced] hub combo thru Wiggle months ago, when it was priced about $300, but it's still decently priced at ~$350...
http://www.wiggle.com/exposure-revo-mk1-dynamo-bike-light-with-use-hub-pack/
Wiggle.com had 28/32 spoke, red/black, disc/non-disc choices for that same price.
If I could rewind and replay, I'd probably buy a PD-8 hub off of eBay and get a Luxos U, totaling up to about the same $300 as I paid. Luxos U has on-off switching and a built-in USB port.
-B
PS-I saw that the 15mm axle version of the PD-8 is starting to trickle onto eBay as small lot auctions. I believe that model is called the "PD-8X" and goes for ~$165.

     Edit: I just found a currently active auction for the PD-8X. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SP-hub-dynamo-dynohub-PD-8X-32h-QR15-less-drag-than-the-8-series-/281166792532?pt=US_Hubs&hash=item4176d8c754

I have the light charge and it has been reliable over a couple of thousand miles BUT my main problem with it is that it outputs a maximum of .5 amps regardless of your speed.
The e-werks intrigues me because you can adjust the voltage and amperage. Too bad they just don't make one without the battery so one could add a battery of choice to their setup.
I think batteries are probably the weak link because they can only recharge so many times and I think heat and vibration affect their life. Anker batteries have some nice ones with 2 USB ports and the ability to charge and recharge at the same time. http://www.amazon.com/10000mAh-Portable-Dual-Port-Thunderbolt-Incredible/dp/B009USAJCC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1380042563&sr=1-1&keywords=anker

I am using the SP hub and so far it has been dead reliable and at about $135 with shipping it is a great deal.

Also for around $420 you can get the Revo light and SP hub: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Exposure-Revo-Bike-Front-LED-Dynamo-Bike-Light-28-Spoke-Black-Rim-Brake-Hub-SALE-/360511592754?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item53f02a5932

I am using a USB rechargeable Cygolite 700 lumen model for my bike light. I can recharge it off my cache battery and with several brightness levels it gives you more options and I can remove it to use it as a flashlight and it comes with a helmet mount to boot to use around camp.

[bmike-vt]

friend just lent me his front wheel and ewerk usb. going to try and run a gopro on time lapse for a dirt road randoneurring event this weekend. will comment back if it works.

i have a son on my rando bike and edeluxe. would love a setup for my fargo.

[Couloirman]

Great thread. I am going to run a dynamo hub for a front light, and to charge GPS batteries and cell phone on next years tour divide so this has been quite helpful

[bmike-vt]

the usbwerk works great. ran some tests charging a gopro while it was shooting. going to work towards a dyno, light and charging setup on my fargo.


Untitled by mbeganyi, on Flickr


Untitled by mbeganyi, on Flickr

[Briansong]

Great thread. I am going to run a dynamo hub for a front light, and to charge GPS batteries and cell phone on next years tour divide so this has been quite helpful

I know what you mean, I really struggled with my decision on lights and electronics. I chose, Schmidt Son28 hub, USB Werks and the Supernova light (and taillight) This forum was my really my only source of info. In the regular MTB world this stuff is Voodoo.

Steve

[the tortoise]

I ordered the B&B Luxos U light with the USB port. Peter White was out of stock on these but I was able to source it from Joe Bike in Oregon: http://www.store.joe-bike.com/products/busch-mueller-dynamo-light-luxos-u-w-usb-port
Peter White should have them in stock in mid December. I found a lower price at Bike24 based out of France. http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;menu=1400%2C1410%2C1411;search=luxos;navigation=1;product=38271 but my friend said I would be disowned if I bought anything from the French! Ha ha!

I read a google review on the setup here: https://groups.google.com/d/topic/randon/Dxr_nrjyfz8

I got this light for my wife who is planning on doing the Trans American Race. We should have plenty of time to shake it out before June of next year. The USB port will put out up to one amp which is pretty good. My lighcharge is only capable of .5 amp and I would like more power than that. We plan to mate it to my SP dynamo hub.

$234 plus shipping is a lot of dough re me but it combines a dynamo light, small cache battery and controller with USB port for charging, so overall it is a good value compared to spending up to $450 or more for a light and controller. It also comes with a handlebar switch for the light and to flash drivers during the day. Hopefully it is all it is cracked up to be! Will give our initial report when it is set up.

[JevL]

@the tortoise
Looking forward to hear your opinion about it!

[the tortoise]

Well attached are preliminary pictures of the B&M Luxos U setup that my wife plans to use on the Trans Am Bike race.

First picture: Her bike on new fluid trainer for those cold and dark days (like right now!)

Second picture: The Luxos U. We went with a rigid carbon fork since this is a road ride. The Origin 8 Black Ops fork came with removable canti stud. I took one of the studs and reversed it and moved it up as high as possible and then mounted the light to it. Ideally it should be mounted centered on the fork right at the crown. Two reasons I didn't do this. There is no hole to mount the light there and it would probably interfere with a front bag.

Third picture: The switch is mounted on the right hand aero bar. The switch turns the light on and off, and when off if you hit it, it will flash briefly to warn a driver. It has daytime and night time modes and brightness and throw varies according to your speed. The back side of the switch contains a covered USB port so you can charge a USB device such as a GPS or phone. It is suppose to deliver up to 1 amp depending upon speed.

Fourth picture: Our SP PD-8 dynamo hub. I have around 2,000 miles on it and it works great.

The light has a lithium cache battery in it to help smooth out the USB output and to make this a standlight.

How does it work?? Haven't had it out on the road yet!!!

[Couloirman]

So, besides the SP PD-8X, and SON 28 15 what other options are there for thru axle dynamo hubs? I am about to start piecing together a new bike build and am excited to make this one dynamo capable

[Couloirman]

Just found a site with the Exposure Revo on sale for $178 so I think Ill pull the trigger with the sale, but a quick question. "The Revo is equipped with Stand Light Technology, an auto dimming feature. When you pull up to a stop light, the Revo dims, and will remain lit for ten minutes. For extra light once at your destination, the Exposure Revo Dynamo Light can provide up to an hour of light on it's own."

Can anyone confirm that it provides decent light for an hour after stopping? Staying lit for an hour after stopping gets huge points in my book. Thats enough time to setup camp, eat dinner and pass out and maybe not even need another light on a trip. If you only ran it for a few minutes after stopping for the night, can you turn it off and then turn it on a few hours later with the remaining charge without having ridden anymore?

[Yogi the Barry]

I've never timed how long my Revo runs when stopped, but it's not an hour of light bright enough to be of campsite use. Perhaps 10 minutes with a usable light output. No turning on or off either. It just fades away when stopped. After I bike home today, guess I'll try to note how long the light illuminates while sitting in our living room.

...snip... If you only ran it for a few minutes after stopping for the night, can you turn it off and then turn it on a few hours later with the remaining charge without having ridden anymore?

[Couloirman]

I've never timed how long my Revo runs when stopped, but it's not an hour of light bright enough to be of campsite use. Perhaps 10 minutes with a usable light output. No turning on or off either. It just fades away when stopped. After I bike home today, guess I'll try to note how long the light illuminates while sitting in our living room.

Thanks man. Thats enough info for me if you dont get the chance. I knew the whole hour of light had to be too good to be true. Ill buy it anyway

[the tortoise]

Well, I took the Luxos U out for a test ride last night. At first some of the artifacts bothered me but as I put more time in I grew to love the light!
Very wide beam, good throw on both medium and high settings. It basically has 4 brightness settings. Low at stopped or slow walking pace. brighter at average walking pace, brighter yet at riding pace and brightest at most speeds by hitting the bright button.
Vs. my 700 lumen cygolight  it directs the light better for road riding. No blinding the drivers and more width of beam.
I think it is the perfect light for road riding, commuting and probably events like the Tour Divide. Haven't taken it off road yet, but since the  light focuses the light lower it might not pick up overhead obstacles. I imagine if you were to pair it with a helmet light, it would be awesome off road.
I haven't charged anything with it yet but it was showing the ability to charge with the light on at most speeds. Vs. the Revo I like the idea that you can switch it to different brightnesses and to turn it off. The handlebar switch is very nice to have. You can flash drivers in the daytime when the light is not running just by pushing the button.
To me the big question is durability and waterproofness. Only time will tell on that one.
I also moved the light mount inboard some to protect the light from falls.

[the tortoise]

SRAM and Shimano both make dynamo hubs. I think Peter White's web site might have some information on them.
I think the SP models give the most bang for the buck.

[Couloirman]

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

Here is the fork I am getting for my new generic cheap china carbon rigid bike. I hope they're compatible together!
http://www.xmiplay.com/ProductDetails1661

[the tortoise]

I think some folks have been having issues with the plug setup regarding reliability. Plus it looks like it only puts out .5 amp max power. Others do better than this. Here is one: http://www.sinewavecycles.com/products/bright-bike-revolution (I think it will put out up to 1.0 amp)

If you are going to go this way then you will probably want a cache battery to even things out and keep things charging.

I think the Luxos U I got is pretty good. Great light, internal cache battery and USB port all in one package. You could spend much more piecing things together.

[Yogi the Barry]

Sinewave Cycle Revolution outputs 1A, is waterproof, weights only 37g and design doesn't have a cache battery. I want Santa to bring me one. FAQ at:

http://www.brightbikelabs.com/pages/faq

I think some folks have been having issues with the plug setup regarding reliability. Plus it looks like it only puts out .5 amp max power. Others do better than this. Here is one: http://www.sinewavecycles.com/products/bright-bike-revolution (I think it will put out up to 1.0 amp)

If you are going to go this way then you will probably want a cache battery to even things out and keep things charging.

I think the Luxos U I got is pretty good. Great light, internal cache battery and USB port all in one package. You could spend much more piecing things together.

[mtntraveler]

Couloirman

My cyclo-cross bike has a ridged steel fork and the steerer is open at the bottom on another carbon fork I had that was not the case.  Another problem encountered is how to get the wiring past the headset star nut.  Some people say that you can file a notch in the star nut to get the cable by.  I could not get that to work, I finely resorted to Tout Terrain special star nut made for this, and it simplified the wiring issue. 

[the tortoise]

Here is a review on the Luxos U
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=74806

[the tortoise]

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