Comments on: Bicycle with USB ports to charge devices off a built-in dynamo http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: PrettyBoyTim http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1272845 PrettyBoyTim Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1272845 I was thinking only today I need to work out how to power fairy lights from my dynohub in the runup to Christmas... I was thinking only today I need to work out how to power fairy lights from my dynohub in the runup to Christmas…

]]> By: Anony Mouse http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1272471 Anony Mouse Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1272471 Old Sturmey Archer dyno-hubs are in demand for these kind of projects. Particularly the dyno-3 and dyno-4 models, which integrate the dynamo and internal gears in a single unit, as this enables the fettler to adjust the gearing for windspeed.  Old Sturmey Archer dyno-hubs are in demand for these kind of projects. Particularly the dyno-3 and dyno-4 models, which integrate the dynamo and internal gears in a single unit, as this enables the fettler to adjust the gearing for windspeed. 

]]> By: Anony Mouse http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1272470 Anony Mouse Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1272470 Pretty sure that this is how a hub dynamo operates. Drag from a good one is very low - the equivalent of a 3 foot incline over a mile or so. This idea is not a new one - there are plenty of retrofit chargers for dynamo systems. It's nice to see it well-integrated in the build - not wires dangling everywhere. Pretty sure that this is how a hub dynamo operates. Drag from a good one is very low – the equivalent of a 3 foot incline over a mile or so.

This idea is not a new one – there are plenty of retrofit chargers for dynamo systems. It’s nice to see it well-integrated in the build – not wires dangling everywhere.

]]> By: shannigans http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1272040 shannigans Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1272040 Totally depends!  The two hub generators I have I barely notice at all and just leave them on all the time.  I have a newer bottle generator that is noticeable but not unbearable and an older bottle generator from the 70's that sure helps to provide a good workout. Totally depends!  The two hub generators I have I barely notice at all and just leave them on all the time.  I have a newer bottle generator that is noticeable but not unbearable and an older bottle generator from the 70′s that sure helps to provide a good workout.

]]> By: You_Sir_Cannot http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271994 You_Sir_Cannot Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271994 Today I also learned that there are other types of dynamos apart from the "bottle" dynamo. Thanks BoingBoing. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Bicycle_dynamo.jpg/180px-Bicycle_dynamo.jpg Today I also learned that there are other types of dynamos apart from the “bottle” dynamo. Thanks BoingBoing.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Bicycle_dynamo.jpg/180px-Bicycle_dynamo.jpg

]]> By: JMB98115 http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271888 JMB98115 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271888 I'd rather have a dragless¹ magnetic induction generator. ¹ drag from magnetic fields negligible in this application. I’d rather have a dragless¹ magnetic induction generator.

¹ drag from magnetic fields negligible in this application.

]]> By: dr.hypercube http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271828 dr.hypercube Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271828 <a href="http://www.bionx.ca/en/products/product-range/northamerica/" rel="nofollow">Tah-dah</a>! Needs hacking - or so I read. Tah-dah! Needs hacking – or so I read.

]]> By: Matthew Petty http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271821 Matthew Petty Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271821 The power collected could be used to run a motor that helps on the hills! The power collected could be used to run a motor that helps on the hills!

]]> By: Faith Landsman http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271775 Faith Landsman Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271775 Yay! and Duh! Yay!

and

Duh!

]]> By: hymenopterid http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271776 hymenopterid Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271776 I just got a great idea for a cheap wind generator... I just got a great idea for a cheap wind generator…

]]> By: Albert Hardy http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271744 Albert Hardy Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271744 A very practical answer to the resistance issue is to disengage the dynamo when pedaling uphill and engage when coasting downhill.  This principle is used in hybrid autos when braking. A very practical answer to the resistance issue is to disengage the dynamo when pedaling uphill and engage when coasting downhill.  This principle is used in hybrid autos when braking.

]]> By: dr.hypercube http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271741 dr.hypercube Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271741 There are some graphs <a href="http://nabendynamo.de/produkte/SONdelux.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> (via Jan Heine and the <em>excellent</em> Bicycle Quarterly). I don't notice much additional resistance w/ no load on the Shimano DH-3N80 I have, but it ain't no race bike. Unsurprisingly, I'm no Eddy M. either - I don't mind chugging up a hill like the robust, as opposed to gracile, older guy that I am ;-).  There are some graphs here (via Jan Heine and the excellent Bicycle Quarterly). I don’t notice much additional resistance w/ no load on the Shimano DH-3N80 I have, but it ain’t no race bike. Unsurprisingly, I’m no Eddy M. either – I don’t mind chugging up a hill like the robust, as opposed to gracile, older guy that I am ;-). 

]]> By: puufuu http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271735 puufuu Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271735 Most hub dynamos are designed for 3W/6V (many are limited to this) or 6W/12V (not quite as common) output. A good(!) dynamo is about 60% efficient at normal cycling speeds, which means roughly 5-10W power consumption. Depends on the device you attach to it though; a hub dynamo will only produce as much power as your device draws. A typical rider will  produce upwards of 150W of power; pretty much insignificant in other words ;-). Most hub dynamos are designed for 3W/6V (many are limited to this) or 6W/12V (not quite as common) output. A good(!) dynamo is about 60% efficient at normal cycling speeds, which means roughly 5-10W power consumption. Depends on the device you attach to it though; a hub dynamo will only produce as much power as your device draws.

A typical rider will  produce upwards of 150W of power; pretty much insignificant in other words ;-).

]]> By: Noir Bicycles http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271733 Noir Bicycles Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271733 great product, i could actually use something like this. great product, i could actually use something like this.

]]> By: Bottle Imp http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271718 Bottle Imp Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271718 How much added resistance are we talking about here? I'm already enough of a candy-ass on hills. How much added resistance are we talking about here? I’m already enough of a candy-ass on hills.

]]> By: Chris Perriman http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271695 Chris Perriman Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271695 That's such a good idea! That’s such a good idea!

]]> By: jaypee http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271689 jaypee Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271689 More specifically, it uses products from Supernova.  They're made in Germany and super bomber. Waterproof and super well engineered. More specifically, it uses products from Supernova.  They’re made in Germany and super bomber.

Waterproof and super well engineered.

]]> By: dr.hypercube http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271687 dr.hypercube Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271687 <a href="http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/" rel="nofollow">Peter White Cycles</a> is an excellent resource/supplier for anyone interested in bike dynamo lighting or power. Full disclosure - he built a wheelset this summer for my night and snow bike that I am completely satisfied with. Peter White Cycles is an excellent resource/supplier for anyone interested in bike dynamo lighting or power. Full disclosure – he built a wheelset this summer for my night and snow bike that I am completely satisfied with.

]]> By: puufuu http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271680 puufuu Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271680 I've been doing that for years. Hub dynamos are pretty common in (some parts of) Europe and have been for quite a while. I built my own circuitry and wired the plugs on my own though; fried quite a few batteries in the process ;-). Nowadays there are a number of (battery-buffered) commercial products that you just plug into your hub dynamo. Much easier. I’ve been doing that for years. Hub dynamos are pretty common in (some parts of) Europe and have been for quite a while. I built my own circuitry and wired the plugs on my own though; fried quite a few batteries in the process ;-).

Nowadays there are a number of (battery-buffered) commercial products that you just plug into your hub dynamo. Much easier.

]]> By: Chauncey Scott http://boingboing.net/2011/11/16/bicycle-with-usb-ports-to-char.html#comment-1271678 Chauncey Scott Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=129568#comment-1271678 Pretty cool. Hope it's waterproof in some capacity.  Pretty cool. Hope it’s waterproof in some capacity. 

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