I have gone through all the info that I can find about about Schmidt hub generators, but I can't seem to locate information about looking after my Schmidt hub generator (Naben 6V 3W). It has worked flawlessly for me since 2007 powering front and rear lights even though I leave it on all the time. It has never been serviced. Tens of thousands of miles, in fact. I worry that it will fail finally sometime when I am on tour and unable to arrange a repair. But when I checked with a dealer, I was told that as long as the wheel spins without complications, I need not worry.
Will it ever fail? Is there any sort of standard usage before maintenance is needed?
Many thanks in advance.
Schmidt hub generator
Re: Schmidt hub generator
Mine is a year or two older than yours and has also been subject to heavy commuting use.
About a year ago I found it starting to drag. It turned out to be due to cracking of the epoxy holding the coil assembly "claws" in place, causing binding against the hub shell. Also, one of the bearings was beginning to lose its smoothness and needed degreasing.
The full story of my repair is here, and a sequel here.
As you can see even replacing the bearings is quite involved, though regreasing them isn't too difficult once you can get the innards
out.
If you are worried, Schmidt will replace the bearings for a reasonable price. I think they might even do it without disassembling the wheel (as long as it is the Klassic type of hub). Personally, I would probably feel for any traces of play in the bearings, inspect for signs of rusty grease around the outside of the bearings, and if it looks OK carry on using it.
About a year ago I found it starting to drag. It turned out to be due to cracking of the epoxy holding the coil assembly "claws" in place, causing binding against the hub shell. Also, one of the bearings was beginning to lose its smoothness and needed degreasing.
The full story of my repair is here, and a sequel here.
As you can see even replacing the bearings is quite involved, though regreasing them isn't too difficult once you can get the innards
out.
If you are worried, Schmidt will replace the bearings for a reasonable price. I think they might even do it without disassembling the wheel (as long as it is the Klassic type of hub). Personally, I would probably feel for any traces of play in the bearings, inspect for signs of rusty grease around the outside of the bearings, and if it looks OK carry on using it.
Re: Schmidt hub generator
Not quite sure how old my most used hub is, maybe 10 years or so. Lights are left on all the time and that bike does a few thousand miles each year.
The hub has also been flawless, until now! Well, apart from the "quick" release skewer which snapped and makes me wonder if it is worth carrying a spare qr if a long way from home.
The bearings have failed, wheel is still in use but has significant play side to side at the rim and rattles over bumps. So I urgently need to get it looked at and not sure where to sent it at the moment. The rim is nearing replacement too, so may be better to just post off a hub rather than complete wheel.
The hub has also been flawless, until now! Well, apart from the "quick" release skewer which snapped and makes me wonder if it is worth carrying a spare qr if a long way from home.
The bearings have failed, wheel is still in use but has significant play side to side at the rim and rattles over bumps. So I urgently need to get it looked at and not sure where to sent it at the moment. The rim is nearing replacement too, so may be better to just post off a hub rather than complete wheel.
Re: Schmidt hub generator
send it to SJS; they are UK agents for Schmidt.
cheers
cheers
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re: Schmidt hub generator
^^^ That - I've had two serviced via SJS in recent years, email or phone them and they'll give you the details, there's a maximum price which a couple of years ago was £65 including postage back to you (Send to them at your own expense). If it's the classic model it's serviced in the wheel, if it's one of those that split in the middle there may also be a wheelbuilding charge. You used to be able to deal with Schmidt direct, but when you enquire now they refer you to SJS. Wheels have been back with me in about a week, SJS told me they only ship to Schmidt on a Friday, so send it with that in mind.
The two I've had done - First was 14 years old and had done at least 50,000 miles, the bearings had been feeling a bit rough for a few hundred miles before I got round to sending it off. The other was 10 yo but crash damaged with the wheel getting a side impact and binding. Both came back running like new and with the connectors replaced. I paid the maximum both times.
The two I've had done - First was 14 years old and had done at least 50,000 miles, the bearings had been feeling a bit rough for a few hundred miles before I got round to sending it off. The other was 10 yo but crash damaged with the wheel getting a side impact and binding. Both came back running like new and with the connectors replaced. I paid the maximum both times.
Re: Schmidt hub generator
Thanks Brucey & PH,
I will contact SJS tomorrow and get things organised.
I will contact SJS tomorrow and get things organised.
Re: Schmidt hub generator
bobzeller wrote:... but when I checked with a dealer, I was told that as long as the wheel spins without complications, I need not worry ...
... I basically fully agree ...
Re: Schmidt hub generator
Many thanks to all for the advice. OI am most grateful.
Cheers
Cheers
Re: Schmidt hub generator
Just got my wheel back from service, the bearings had developed excessive side to side play. Posted it off to SJS on the 23rd August and it arrived back yesterday. Cheekily I included the broken allen fitting "quick release", which worringly had fractured when tightening it one day, fortunately at home and not away. A brand new one was included with the serviced hub. £65 for the service, return postage included. But with the cost of sending it still an expensive service in total.
My hub was the older style body which can be serviced in the wheel. The newer hubs will be far less convenient as they need to be taken out of the wheel for service. If someone has a wheel that doesn't need a new rim it seems a shame to disturb a decent wheel, plus undergo potential charges or time loss for deconstructing and rebuilding it after. In that case a service will cost more than say a decent Shimano dynamo hub.
My hub was the older style body which can be serviced in the wheel. The newer hubs will be far less convenient as they need to be taken out of the wheel for service. If someone has a wheel that doesn't need a new rim it seems a shame to disturb a decent wheel, plus undergo potential charges or time loss for deconstructing and rebuilding it after. In that case a service will cost more than say a decent Shimano dynamo hub.
Re: Schmidt hub generator
Des49 wrote:In that case a service will cost more than say a decent Shimano dynamo hub.
While this is true, what you get back from a service will probably outlast a Shimano hub and if you’re lucky it could coincide with a need to rebuild the wheel anyway.
Plus there’s pleasure in the longevity, particularly if it’s a hub that can be polished up like new.