Cycling UK Forum

It's a little disappointing that they have told you that. I notice from the description (of the hub version) that it stops charging at speeds over 30mph (to protect the electronics from a high voltage), I would have hoped that they could have arranged some sort of protection that works for all speeds likely to be found on a bike, though as Mick has said perhaps small wheels produce a bigger problem? Mick was the advice you got about over 40mph specific to a bike with small wheels (did they even know that you have small wheels?) or general advice?

Mick F wrote:

Hello Mick,
.... We would however recommend disconnecting it from the dynamo on a long fast descent (i.e. 40mph +).
...
Malcolm Benson
Adept Electronics

I often do 40mph+ on decent descents, and having (only) 20" wheels, the dynamo output would be quite high. I think for simplicity, the Velocharger should be switched.

I wonder if the USB-Werk would be more robust?

How many long 40mph descents are there in Cornwall? Or the UK for that matter? I've done a few short ones. but not a long one this side of the Pyrenees.

Despite having started this thread over a year ago, I still haven't bought any charging device, not for any practical reason, just an aesthetic one, I have an aversion to bits zip tied to a bike.
In the meantime I'm getting by fine with three small power packs, though I'm still attracted to the idea of being self sufficient.

All I asked, is what I quoted there. No info of bike or anything. Just a plain simple question.

40mph+ hills, there are quite a few albeit mostly less than a mile within five miles from where I'm typing this. One or two of a couple of miles. Fastest and longest is coming off Dartmoor to Tavistock. You can hit 40mph+ for a couple of miles in a couple of places, and one of those is 50mph+. Great fun!

I regularly come down Gunnislake Hill at 42mph without even trying. Best speed so far is 47mph.
Also, down Lucket Hill 40mph+ That's a good quiet straight road to come down, but one heck of a slog going up it.

Yes, many 40mph+ hills locally here, and I'm sure there are hundreds in Devon and Cornwall.

PS:
I've just ordered a S8 hub dynamo from Spa.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s133p30 ... YNAMO-PV-8
Thought I'd get the dynamo first, get it built into the wheel, and take it from there.

Velocharger vs USB_Werk is next to make a decision on ........................ as well as a front light.

Mick F wrote:PS:
Velocharger vs USB_Werk is next to make a decision on ........................ as well as a front light.

You might also like to consider the Igaro
https://www.igaro.com/d1

Brilliant ............... but rather expensive.
SJS have it £159.

Speaking as an ex electronics engineer ............... not that I'm going to make one, but all these things are, is a unit with a stabilised 5v USB output fed by a variable source of AC.
It's not rocket science, it really is quite simple. They're charging (if you pardon the pun) the Earth for these things.

Mick F wrote:Brilliant ............... but rather expensive.
SJS have it £159.

Speaking as an ex electronics engineer ............... not that I'm going to make one, but all these things are, is a unit with a stabilised 5v USB output fed by a variable source of AC.
It's not rocket science, it really is quite simple. They're charging (if you pardon the pun) the Earth for these things.

The more basic version is/was £86, but no one seems to have them in stock so they may be discontinued.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/dynamos/iga ... n-schmidt/

There is a good list of all the suppliers here https://www.cyclingabout.com/list-of-hub-dynamo-power-supplies-for-usb-devices/

Including one that comes as a kit that you assemble yourself

I asked the same question on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0161SWRVO? ... 1_42242491

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ask/questions/ ... rt=helpful

Mick F wrote:Brilliant ............... but rather expensive.
SJS have it £159.

A bit cheaper direct from Igaro https://www.igaro.com/shop

Mick F wrote:Brilliant ............... but rather expensive.
SJS have it £159.

Speaking as an ex electronics engineer ............... not that I'm going to make one, but all these things are, is a unit with a stabilised 5v USB output fed by a variable source of AC.
It's not rocket science, it really is quite simple. They're charging (if you pardon the pun) the Earth for these things.

Elsewhere, I've detailed how I built a charger with protection via a crowbar circuit. If the trigger voltage is high enough, lights will still work too. Do commercial units use something similar? Probably not, as the result is somewhat agricultural (albeit less crude than a giant zener). Plus I think Shimano own the patent?

Just read on one of those amazon reviews that it doesn't start charging until you maintain 9mph. If that is true it will be a problem on tour. I wouldn't have been getting much charging even on the flat on my recent loaded pedal into a fenland prevailing wind. Will watch this thread with interest as am pretty sure i will soon head off down the path of a dynamo, dynamo front light and linked powerbank.

PH wrote:Saw these USB hub dynamo chargers (Bottle version also available) at York Rally, both on their own stand and being sold by Spa.
At £38 a fair bit cheaper than the other options, look well enough made though the wiring seems a bit ugly, maybe it'd be possible to put a splitter nearer the light to tidy it up.
Has anyone used one? have any comments about function and reliability? I think I'd only use one for touring, not enough to spend big bucks, but for this price worth considering? Is it best to use these sort of thing to directly charge, or is there any advantage to using a power pack and charging from that?
http://www.adeptelectronics.co.uk/veloclassic.html

I have a Son dyno hub and Edulux 2. I have used piggy back connectors on/by the hub for the above reason, but your suggestion of a splitter sounds much tidier and decreases the likely hood of an errant wire getting tangled in the spokes. My question: Is a splitter the same or different to a splice? I would like to T off near the light with a USB charger too.

Many thanks.

Sweep wrote:Just read on one of those amazon reviews that it doesn't start charging until you maintain 9mph

Any mph figure will vary with wheel size. But on a tour I don't think I'd need it to be charging all day, though that is based on observation rarther than experience.