Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Any bike lights that use no batteries (i.e. use kinetic energy)

Are there any bicycle headlights and taillights that do not use conventional batteries, but instead, transfer kinetic energy of you pedaling your bicycle into energy used to power the lights? Rechargeable batteries could still be in the picture, but to store power from you pedaling in the day so that they can be used at night.

Yes. Search Dynamo or Generator.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/dynamos.jpg
http://www.yellowjersey.org/dynamos.html

Thanks, the Dynamo looks like a pretty involved product. :eek: But it's not too terribly expensive. :)

Just attach the dynamo and lights, run the wire, and never worry about running out of batteries. The kits not hard at all to install. I run a dynamo but I use a blinkie front at back as well. The dynamo lights do go out when you stop.

The Union generator is cheap but will have quite a bit of drag when in use. The bulbs are incandescent and may be hard to find when the burn out (which they will).

There are better generators (sidewall or hub) and the newer LED lights are a significant improvement over halogen or standard incandescent bulbs. peterwhitecycles.com has a good selection. Not cheap, but the good stuff never is.

Just attach the dynamo and lights, run the wire, and never worry about running out of batteries. The kits not hard at all to install. I run a dynamo but I use a blinkie front at back as well. The dynamo lights do go out when you stop.

You're right that it'd just be a 1-time wire installation. I see, so there's no battery - when you pedal, let there be light. But no pedaling means no light.

I have never seen these in use, but you might find it interesting. The have both flashing and steady versions.
http://www.reelight.com/

I've had Reelights on my utility bike for a couple of years and have had zero trouble with them. They've stood up to salty winter roads and being outside much of the time. I like that they are always there and need no batteries. I do use additional head and tail lights but having the Reelights is great if I get caught out after dark without the battery lights.

I am lacing up a Dynahub to my '48 Rudge and just like they did some 60 years ago... will also have a back up battery that will charge off the Dynahub and run the lights when I am not pedalling.

The plans to make these are pretty simple.

I have never seen these in use, but you might find it interesting. The have both flashing and steady versions.
http://www.reelight.com/

That seems to be a great, innovative product. The capacitor version looks pretty ideal.


Option of back-up power

With the launch of Reelight’s second model, your lights will stay flashing even when you stop at traffic lights etc. The light stores the energy in a built-in capacitor and keeps flashing for several minutes while the bicycle is stationary.

I wonder how much light (in lumens) the headlight and taillight put out.

Those reelights have got to be strictly "be seen" lights. If you need more you'll have to go with a generator of somesort.

Those reelights have got to be strictly "be seen" lights. If you need more you'll have to go with a generator of somesort.
That's exactly what they are, but it's pretty cool to have "running lights".

You're right that it'd just be a 1-time wire installation. I see, so there's no battery - when you pedal, let there be light. But no pedaling means no light.

There's plenty of dyno lights which use a capacitor standlight so you don't "disappear" when you stop moving.

B&M Lumotech "Plus" series of lights
Supernova E3 (including E3 tail light, 2 min combined standlight feature)
SON Edelux

There's plenty of dyno lights which use a capacitor standlight so you don't "disappear" when you stop moving.

B&M Lumotech "Plus" series of lights
Supernova E3 (including E3 tail light, 2 min combined standlight feature)
SON Edelux

Yeah, that's true, like one of those reelight.com lights that had a capacitor. Thanks for those other recommendations.