Thanks for all the responses...
I appreciate all the quick and insightful responses.
I would be more tempted to just replace the little generator witha set of batteries.
Or at least set it up with a pair of diodes so that when the generator output voltage is higher than the battery voltage the lights run off of it. however when you stop the batteries take over. The diodes will keep each power source from feeding back to each other.
Simple, reliable and easy to build.
Or Just get a motorcycle! Its way less effort to run and the lights are way better!
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May Rube Goldburg Smile down upon you in all of your misguided efforts.
Batteries are a great idea, I am trying to prove something to myself and I really want to cut my dependence on the outside world as much as possible. Got rid of my car 8 months ago and I only miss it when it rains (really hard rain, light rain is actually more fun).
Got two 5.1V diodes to keep the power going the right way. Will run them in line before a 4800uF capacitor to clean up the fluctuating power coming from the generator and hold the lights on for a bit after I stop moving. (Lights designed for this generator have caps built in to the light so for these purposes, found this out through a little more research.)
I am trying really hard to keep myself from straying too far from home right now and a motorcycle would really get me too far off track. I would love one, but not right now. Maybe in a few years when I can get an electric one!
Having almost 5w in lights is going to be hard to power just from a cap at 6v, even for a short period of time. I like the battery/diode idea.
Although a 100uF cap across the generator would help with the voltage ripple.
I agree, I have chosen to just run my blinking lights with the generator. This will serve 3 purposes. I will be able to use the tactical light as a headlight, as my rifle light, and as my hand light. Saving me 100.00 bucks on extra lights.
You could use a 6V rechargeable battery with just one diode from the generator to prevent reverse current through the generator. That way it'll recharge the battery when your are moving.
Thought about the battery, looked at all my options and decided to hold off on getting that until after I see how the system works without it. Good idea though and I see that happening after my next 100 mile ride.
Crutschow! You cant just bring up basic common sense battery charging advice like this!
The super ultra multistage microprocessor monitored battery charger guys are going to be all over this thread like wolves on a wounded rabbit now!
When they get done the OP will have to run a side car on his bike just to carry the tech gear to charge those 5 Ni Cad batteries. Plus he will have to sell his schwinn just to pay for the gear to build his super ultra multistage microprocessor monitored battery charger in the first place.
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May Rube Goldburg Smile down upon you in all of your misguided efforts.
Just my thoughts.
I already have the bicycle equivalent of a sidecar, Kona UTE, look it up. I am trying to keep everything simple and I am glad someone else believes in simplicity!
The in hub generators seem to be the thing. How do you like it other then flicker?
I am excited to see how it will work. I am going to try to put it together tomorrow, I will let you know. If I can I will set up a picture link. I can tell you that when it isn't working the drag from the generator isn't enough to slow down the wheel in any way I can tell. (and I am a picky *******!)
Does the generator regulate its output voltage so it isn't 2V when you go slow and 12V or more when you go fast?
I have not noticed a great variance in power output, but it does change the # of times per minute the charge is sent out.