Cycling UK Forum

I've got a velocharger. Been on 3 mini tours so far.

Must say they are very good. High output of 1.5A beats many far pricier models.

Microprocessor controlled for efficiency it produces a good charge rate from low speeds.

Use it to charge my phone. And bc it is 1.5A I can also charge accessories and even a powerbank or a torch at the same time via. a usb hub.

On offer at amazon at the moment.

I'm not connected to them in any way. Must say I have been pleased with the support which is first class.

I keep mine in a roswheel phone bag.

No problems with it not being recognised by my phone and it charges it in the background no hassle. I can leave the screen on full brightness with data and gps, and it still charges.

Very pleased with it for the price.

I spoke to them and it is clear a great deal of effort has gone into making it efficient and high output. Also it will handle the high voltages a dynamo hub puts out when at speed.

barkerben wrote:In the end I rigged up the following:

Hub Dynamo
>
Diode RIng
>
Smoothing Cap
>
DC_DC buck/boost converter (£2.50 on ebay - cheaper than some linear regulators)
>
USB

The DC-DC converter has an inpout from 3v to 40v DC
It is protected by a 33v Zener. Generally using the zener istelf as protection is dangerous, since it will overheat...but the hub voltage will drop right down as soon as any current is drawn, so in reality this is fine

The whole lot fits nicely inside a film canister:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI2bRl6WsAAOmqL.jpg

It's great that yours works. I'd love to build one of these myself. Do you have a list of the component specs so I can go out any buy them please? Need to know what spec diodes and smoothing capacitor to use.

That's all good to hear. Did you manage to re-grease both sides? I have heard that it may damage the dynamo generator if not done carefully in a certain way. If so, did you happen to find any suitable guidelines that may be online?

These hubs would need to be re-greased more often compared to the likes of the 72 which (I read) has dura ace level sealing with labyrinth ! But if it's no harder than my deore hubs to service then that won't be so much of a problem!

PS. I do wonder from what you have found re: resistance, that a lot of these cheaper hubs are not set with the correct bearing tension from the factory. And this is why some people in the reviews say they notice drag. But some may be some sensitive than others too I guess !

How did you get along with this hub? I'm thinking of getting the disc version of it

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shim ... _info_tabs

shimano tech docs say this has the same internals as the DH-3N31

niggle wrote:Hi there experienced wheel building types, I am about to embark on my first attempt. It will be a 26" disc rim being reused on a Shimano DH-3D32 6 bolt disc compatible dynamo hub. 36 spoke, 3 cross.

how did you find the drag on this hub? I've been thinking of buying one, but there's no reviews, other than a couple on rosebikes that said it dragged more than "expected". Plenty of reviews for the XT dyno hub - people seem to like that one.

But at only £25, this hub could be a bargain.