Originally Posted by
usndoc2011
Reading the discussion about having two different power sources, has anyone developed a dynamo lighting system that simply charges a battery or capacitor that powers a light? A system like that seems like it would solve the problem identified by cyccommute (the light cuts out when the bike stops). It seems like it would be very simlar to hybrid cars with regenerative braking (except the charging is during the acceleration, not deceleration, phase).
They do this already. It is called a standlight. With LEDs they work very well, the light running on for several minutes after you stop. Both headlights and taillights are available with this option. Most of them use a super-capacitor.
To Richard Cranium, Those of us with very reliable dynos will say that your redundancies are generally unnecessary. Weight-weinies will complain that two lights with two battery sources are too heavy. Riders that want to light up the night will complain that two of their bright systems cost (and weigh) too much. It sounds less like you want opinions than you want us to discuss the merits of
your system. Is this the "reputation on the forums" you speak of?
Edit: Since the demise of incandescents in portable applications, my need of redundancies has been reduced. If I'm going caving (spelunking), I'll bring an extra. In my case, I'm always packing a light, so I've got some built in redundancy with regards to my bicycle lighting.