Be very careful about getting an On-One for her because you'll end up getting one for yourself as well!
Oh what the hell, do it any way, you'll not regret it!
Search found 37 matches
- 5 Oct 2008, 9:58am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: frame advice
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2666
- 30 Sep 2008, 8:35pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Make your own LED lighting
- Replies: 69
- Views: 162043
I found this article, it looks pretty good.
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/1/28/215243/977
When I was fooling with these things I had to make a regulator/rectifier. I think a dynamo produces AC current. An LED requires DC current, the rectifier smooths the AC to DC. The next important thing is a stable voltage. As you tear down a hill a dynamo will produce a higher voltage than when bimbling down a hill. LEDs are very sensitive to raised voltage. There's a simple clculation you have to do to work out what resistor to wire into your lighting circuit and that's depandant on what your voltage is. The regulator restricts the voltage to a set level so no matter how fast you go the voltage doesn't go above what you set. I discovered this the hard way whn pedaling like a loon a whole load of my lights went orange and then died never to work again!
This is the regulator/rectifier kit I used from Maplins. Their catalogue was very helpful, it explains all the electronics (which is simple enough any way) in even simpler terms.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... 8&DOY=30m9
I always wanted to take my project further and now may be spurned into action (as long as I don't spend all my free time on the new mountainbike). I wanted to create a home made LED lighting system that used power from the dynamo to charge a battery during the day so that it could be used as a torch at night.
Right, time to get the multimeter and soldering iron out!
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/1/28/215243/977
When I was fooling with these things I had to make a regulator/rectifier. I think a dynamo produces AC current. An LED requires DC current, the rectifier smooths the AC to DC. The next important thing is a stable voltage. As you tear down a hill a dynamo will produce a higher voltage than when bimbling down a hill. LEDs are very sensitive to raised voltage. There's a simple clculation you have to do to work out what resistor to wire into your lighting circuit and that's depandant on what your voltage is. The regulator restricts the voltage to a set level so no matter how fast you go the voltage doesn't go above what you set. I discovered this the hard way whn pedaling like a loon a whole load of my lights went orange and then died never to work again!
This is the regulator/rectifier kit I used from Maplins. Their catalogue was very helpful, it explains all the electronics (which is simple enough any way) in even simpler terms.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... 8&DOY=30m9
I always wanted to take my project further and now may be spurned into action (as long as I don't spend all my free time on the new mountainbike). I wanted to create a home made LED lighting system that used power from the dynamo to charge a battery during the day so that it could be used as a torch at night.
Right, time to get the multimeter and soldering iron out!
- 30 Sep 2008, 6:34pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Make your own LED lighting
- Replies: 69
- Views: 162043
A few years ago I made a bicycle powered art installation using an old excercise bike out of a skip and scrap hub dynamo to power 150 LEDs it was very silly but great fun. Also a little bit bright.
I also had to build a regulator/rectifier as I seem to remember LEDs need a constant DC voltage. Maplins did a kit for that for under a tenner.
I also had to build a regulator/rectifier as I seem to remember LEDs need a constant DC voltage. Maplins did a kit for that for under a tenner.
- 21 Mar 2007, 1:21pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: deep drop front cantilever cable guide
- Replies: 12
- Views: 3344
- 20 Mar 2007, 4:19pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: deep drop front cantilever cable guide
- Replies: 12
- Views: 3344
- 12 Jan 2007, 10:48am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: What brakes to go for?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 773
What brakes to go for?
Hello again all!
I need a set of cantilever brakes for a tourer to work with Shimano STI levers. What do people recommend I look out for? I'm after something affordable though the main consideration is stopping power, either new or used.
Tinkety tonk!
Tad
I need a set of cantilever brakes for a tourer to work with Shimano STI levers. What do people recommend I look out for? I'm after something affordable though the main consideration is stopping power, either new or used.
Tinkety tonk!
Tad
- 9 Jan 2007, 12:03pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Anti rust treatment in a new frame
- Replies: 3
- Views: 856
Anti rust treatment in a new frame
Hello,
The sales turned up a rather splendid "new old stock" lugged steel touring frame. Before I build it up I was going to spray a can of Waxoyl into the tubes to stop them rusting. I'd appreciate any opinions on this stuff or recommendations for something more suitable.
Tinkety tonk,
Tad
The sales turned up a rather splendid "new old stock" lugged steel touring frame. Before I build it up I was going to spray a can of Waxoyl into the tubes to stop them rusting. I'd appreciate any opinions on this stuff or recommendations for something more suitable.
Tinkety tonk,
Tad