Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

wind up LED lights

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

wind up LED lights

Old 02-11-06, 01:08 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 173
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
wind up LED lights

The little ad they always put inside the envelope to return your credit card bill had something interesting in it today. They had an ad for a wind up LED light that claimed an hour of runtime with 60 seconds of winding, no batteries. I think it had 3 or 4 LEDs and was $19.99. I've used the wind up radios with much success, it's nice not having batteries to run out. Anyone ever try these for a bike?
propagandrew is offline  
Old 02-11-06, 01:29 PM
  #2  
The Other White Meat
 
BroMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Reno
Posts: 605

Bikes: Raleigh Sports 3 speed, Torker T-530

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
No but I have wondered whether a practical application of the wind-up idea could be made for the bike, such a generator with a clutch that would kick in when more charge was needed, or just a simple hand-wound device similar to the lights and radios already on the market.

If you buy anything that's advertised with your credit card bill, perpare yourself for an avalanche of "special offers".
BroMax is offline  
Old 02-11-06, 04:12 PM
  #3  
Life is good
 
RonH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Posts: 18,209

Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by propagandrew
The little ad they always put inside the envelope to return your credit card bill had something interesting in it today. They had an ad for a wind up LED light that claimed an hour of runtime with 60 seconds of winding, no batteries. I think it had 3 or 4 LEDs and was $19.99.
There's one for $14.95 at STP.
Not sure if it's the same or similar to the one you're refering to.

Doesn't look very practical for recreational night riding or commuting.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8

I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
RonH is offline  
Old 02-11-06, 06:12 PM
  #4  
34x25 FTW!
 
oboeguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,013

Bikes: Kona Jake, Scott CR1, Dahon SpeedPro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I wonder if the kind that you shake to charge would get enough charge from road vibration and potholes?
oboeguy is offline  
Old 02-11-06, 06:45 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 171
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have one much like the STP version. You might get an hour of light out of 60 seconds cranking, but very little of it is going to be at full bightness.

On mine I think that 10 minutes crankng gave me around 45 minutes at full brightness, which is pretty good as an emergency light but not terribly useful for biking.

There's something I hadn't thought of before, though...dynamo powered LEDs. Hmmmmmm....
Big Tommy C is offline  
Old 02-12-06, 05:42 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
The wind-up lights are useful but not very bright. On single-LED mode they can last for several hours. You can boost the output by winding.
I have used LED rear lamps on a bike dynamo and Im sure you can get a proper front lamp for them.
MichaelW is offline  
Old 02-12-06, 08:44 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
ken cummings's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: northern California
Posts: 5,603

Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Has anyone tried one of the LED lights that are powered by shaking them? Would be good for some of the roads around here.
ken cummings is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.