Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Dynamo and lights questions

Hi all,

I am seriously considering dynamo lighting as I was in a situation yesterday where I wanted to ride somewhere but I had no batteries charged :( I do have some questions though:

- I am considering a sidewall dynamo for one of my bikes as it has disc brakes and I don't wish to spend too much. Are they really bad for tyres? Can they be modified to run off the rim?

- Are there any decent dynamo lights that clip onto the handlebar? I want to be able to remove them quickly as I will often lock my bike up outside. I also want to be able to switch lights between bikes.

- Is it possible to run a switchable light on both a hub dynamo and a sidewall dynamo?

- Are there any quick removal dynamo tail lights?

More questions to come!

Thanks

Daven

- I am considering a sidewall dynamo for one of my bikes as it has disc brakes and I don't wish to spend too much. Are they really bad for tyres? Can they be modified to run off the rim?
The old one were bad. new ones have very little drag and are really nice. You can even get a 12 volt system in a sidewalled generator that puts out tremendous light. The cost on the other hand isn't cheap even for the 6v gens. The side walled mounted generators don't like a knobby tire (such as an aggressive MTB tire, you don't state what your bike is...)

They cannot be run off the rim.


- Are there any decent dynamo lights that clip onto the handlebar? I want to be able to remove them quickly as I will often lock my bike up outside. I also want to be able to switch lights between bikes.
Yes. My Supernova e3 uses a Cateye mount so it can slide right off. Combined with a deans plugs for the electrical connections will make it really easy to remove as needed.


- Is it possible to run a switchable light on both a hub dynamo and a sidewall dynamo?
yes


- Are there any quick removal dynamo tail lights?
You can make one using easily connected electrical plugs, (such as deans) and getting a light that mounts easily (either your own mount, modified mount, or o ring)

The old one were bad. new ones have very little drag and are really nice. You can even get a 12 volt system in a sidewalled generator that puts out tremendous light. The cost on the other hand isn't cheap even for the 6v gens. The side walled mounted generators don't like a knobby tire (such as an aggressive MTB tire, you don't state what your bike is...)

They cannot be run off the rim.


Thanks, was looking at the 6v B&M one, it comes to about £40 or something, which isn't too bad. I have slicks on all my bikes, 1 hybrid (will use a sidewall generator), 1 road bike (will use a hub on this one) and one which I am going to build soon which will have a generator hub.



Yes. My Supernova e3 uses a Cateye mount so it can slide right off. Combined with a deans plugs for the electrical connections will make it really easy to remove as needed.


Thanks, I have also found this one http://velo-orange.com/plbileddyli.html, which might work in combination with my fenix L2D (when it is charged!!!)



yes

:)



You can make one using easily connected electrical plugs, (such as deans) and getting a light that mounts easily (either your own mount, modified mount, or o ring)

Meh, I guess I'll just stick with battery tail lights - I have 3 bright tail lights so I should have ONE that is charged!!

Thanks again

Daven

The Light On! dynamo headlight uses a O ring mounting for the optional handlebar mount and includes quick disconnects on both dynamo and taillight wires at the headlight so should install/remove quickly.

As for Dynamo taillights generally they are bolt on mounting. Install using Nylock nuts or Loctite and they should be quite secure I would expect unless accessory theft is very common in the UK.

Thanks, I never noticed the handlebar mount! Is the LightOn! better, worse or comparable to the B&M IQ Fly or Cyo (60 lux)?

The quick disconnects, would they be transferable between bikes? I.e. would I need 2 quick disconnect wires or will the ones supplied with the light do?

Thanks, I never noticed the handlebar mount! Is the LightOn! better, worse or comparable to the B&M IQ Fly or Cyo (60 lux)?

The quick disconnects, would they be transferable between bikes? I.e. would I need 2 quick disconnect wires or will the ones supplied with the light do?

The Light On! is a high power dynamo light which does not reach full output till about 18 to 20 MPH or 30k/ph approximately. The IQ Cyo reaches full output at much lower speed. It has a round beam so is hard to compare with the IQ Cyo beam pattern. At higher speeds it puts out more light in my experience but the beam pattern is different and less friendly to motorists or fellow cyclists coming towards you. Like the difference between the Symmetrical and Asymmetrical beam Supernova E3 lights. The Light On! dynamo light is more like the symmetrical beam E3.

If I wanted to transfer the light between multiple bikes I would email the company about purchasing multiple dynamo connecting cables so that one could be installed on each bike. This would allow much faster and more convenient light transfer between bikes. I do not know if they offer taillight wiring w/o their taillight but the same thing applies if running a dynamo taillight.

Thanks, after further research I think it'd be around the same cost to get an IQ Fly for my beater and a Cyo for my main bike and also the beam pattern for these lights seems better. With that I will get the more reasonably priced B&M taillights for mudguards (much cheaper than the lighton one!) and run them too :)

Thanks for the advice guys