Is there anything new with generator lights these days?

Of course, I have used the old ones from the '60's and '70's. Then, I went to Shopko (the local bike shop didn't have any). The generator lights they had for $12.00 were the same technology as the generator lights from thirty years ago except that some parts were plastic.

I like having a generator light on my commuter for times when my batteries konk out on me. The old faithful generator light always torches up despite months or even years of neglect.

I found, interestingly, that in China and Africa they use 12 volt generators and lights as compared with the 6 volt lights we use here in the USA. Of course, it would take more energy to power a 12 volt than a 6 volt, but imagine how well you could see!

So, that said, who knows what is the latest and greatest in generator lights?

Mike,

I remember those generator lights: the faster you went, the brighter the light grew. I could always tell when someone was going really fast downhill. One time I actually burned out my bulb going downhill (it was probably ready to, anyway.)

Seriously, I was going to say that our European cycling friends may have some input about these. I heard about German hub generators that not only power the bulb but reserve power in a battery for when you are stopped. Some have said that a light isn't necessary except when you are moving, but I think that as a motorist, I would hate to have a cyclist suddenly appear out of nowhere!

I keep several pairs of rechargables ready for normal use and for emergencies.

I have also debated the mounting of dual headlamps, not necessarily the expensive kind, just two singles spaced as far apart as possible. According to some folks, a single lamp does not easily indicate your approaching speed to oncoming motorists.
It's like closing one eye (I did that while riding a bike and immediately lost depth perception--yuck!) I've never seen a "one-eyed" automobile, at least not one made in the last 50 years, except perhaps a Ford I saw which sported a continuous horizontal strip of lighting which ran from headlight to headlight.
That didn't seem to catch on, either.

Generator systems have come a long way since the 1970s.
The headlamp units have computer designed optics for a more efficient spread of light. You can use wire them with batteries as well as generators. Some units have a small storage device to give a few minutes illumination at a junction.

The generators themselves are a huge improvement over the old Union type units, with better bearings, ceramic magnets, improved coil designs, reduced drag. The Nordlight is a tough performer, but the best of the bunch is the Lightspin. It spins pretty freely by hand. Bottle dynamos are best used with a braze-on tab on the stay (they come in LHS and RHS designs, assuming they are used behind the seat stay). Those seat-stay clamps were to blame for many of the ills.

For a more reliable fit and forget system, the Shmidt Dynohub is hard to beat.

Its easy to criticise dynamos as weak and inefficient if you blinker yourself to 20 years of R+D. For urban use with streetlamps, or for long distance touring, they are the way to go.

Great response, MichaelW. All things considered, which generator light would you recommend?

I have heard of guys rigging up their own battery back-up/storage system (where the light goes on when you slow down or stop), but haven't seen any commercially available. What are your thoughts on this sysyem and which do you recommend?

Lamps with a "standlight" facility give sufficient output at junctions. Rigging an auxilliary battery is really not required these days. Have a look at Harris Cyclery or Peter White cycles for some examples.

I live in a really hilly town, so use a generator headlamp, but power it with a 6v lead-acid battery instead of the generator*. The beam pattern is much more efficient than sealed units. It is designed for road cycling and gives a very concentrated rectangle with a set of peripheral spots. The off-road lamps tend to be more even in their distribution.

My touring bike has a Nordlight powering a Soubitez lamp, which really pumps out the illumination. Ive used it in pitch black country lanes at night. The rear lamp of the ESGE fenders is also much brighter than any LED. blinker.

If I was buying a generator today it would be the Lightspin, no question about it.

My LBS can braze mounting tabs for about £15. I dont think you can do this on Al frames.

* Its a home made system, just a stock 6v cell stuffed into an old waterbottle, but with a constant voltage charger. You can fit any cell or lamp you like, 6v or 12v.

To follow up on MichaelW's post LightSpin dynamos are not yet readily available in the U.S. You can order their basic model direct from the manufacturer. Reproduced at the end of this post is a copy of the email I got from them.

Even though I just bought a VistaLite CODE 15 10W-5W dual system, I am still intrigued by dynamo units and may yet mount one on Yorick.

Speaking of the VistaLite, here is an update. For several days, I have been leaving the light on until it dims, then recharging in order to get through a few cycles and hopefully get the battery up to full capacity so I now think I can give a pretty good account of battery life. Today, using the 10W light only, the battery lasted almost exactly 2 hours, which I think is a shade more than mfr claims. In the interest of full disclosure, I did turn it off for about 5 minutes (deducted from the total time) from the front door to my office. That may have allowed it a few extra minutes vs being on the whole time.


Email from Dynosis:
(CHF=Swiss Francs)

The model without standing light, LightSPIN-lite is exported at following
cost, please order

LightSPIN-lite without standing light CHF 90.00 (left or right
side model)
fixation bracket with earth screw CHF 12.00 ( only if
needed)
postage to USA , registered CHF 25.00

shipment against advance payment by VISA / Master Card

The model with standing light, LightSPIN-plus will most possibly cost CHF
160.00.

Regards
DYNOSYS AG
Werner U. Stettler
wstettler@dynosys-ag.ch