wind-powered headlight??
#1
Thread Starter
Neat - w/ ice on the side
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,200
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From: Big Ring. Little Cog.
Bikes: 2005 Dahon Speed TR, 2006 Dahon Mu SL, 2000 GT XiZang, 1999ish Rock Lobster, 2007 Dean Animas CTI
wind-powered headlight??
LED and hopefully not too dim. Who wants to try it and report back?? 

#2
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Here's a link:
https://en.red-dot.org/282+M569e0733233.html
Pretty, but not practical. This is what happens when you forget to hire an engineer.
I've thought about the concept of a wind powered headlight. From an engineering standpoint, its terrible. The problem is that propeller/fan blades, and cheap generators are not very efficient, meaning it will slow your bike down considerably for the amount of light it produces. Also, this particular design has a large plastic housing which will increase drag considerably. The amount of power it produces is 0.17W. Too dim. That's like a keychain LED light, and you can get those for $1. Seriously. A pair of AA batteries could produce the same light for around 120 hours, and probably weigh less. I can't believe this thing won an award, and I feel sorry for all the people who get suckered into buying them.
https://en.red-dot.org/282+M569e0733233.html
Pretty, but not practical. This is what happens when you forget to hire an engineer.
I've thought about the concept of a wind powered headlight. From an engineering standpoint, its terrible. The problem is that propeller/fan blades, and cheap generators are not very efficient, meaning it will slow your bike down considerably for the amount of light it produces. Also, this particular design has a large plastic housing which will increase drag considerably. The amount of power it produces is 0.17W. Too dim. That's like a keychain LED light, and you can get those for $1. Seriously. A pair of AA batteries could produce the same light for around 120 hours, and probably weigh less. I can't believe this thing won an award, and I feel sorry for all the people who get suckered into buying them.
Last edited by Jasonv8z; 07-21-06 at 01:38 PM.
#3
The company makes USB sticks, and they decided to make a bicycle light.
That would be like me deciding to build a helicopter... Not exactly gonna succeed.
That would be like me deciding to build a helicopter... Not exactly gonna succeed.
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Now living in the land of the cheesesteak.
But working at a job where I can't surf BikeForums all day any more...
Treasurer, HHCMF Club
Now living in the land of the cheesesteak.
But working at a job where I can't surf BikeForums all day any more...
#4
You Know!? For Kids!



Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,166
Likes: 29
From: Just NW of Richardson Bike Mart
Bikes: '05 Trek 1200 / '90 Trek 8000 / '? Falcon Europa
Originally Posted by Eggplant Jeff
The company makes USB sticks, and they decided to make a bicycle light.
That would be like me deciding to build a helicopter... Not exactly gonna succeed.
That would be like me deciding to build a helicopter... Not exactly gonna succeed.
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#5
How about a solar-powered light? There's some company working on one... what's their name... oh yes, Cateye.
https://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...ibration_a.php
https://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...ibration_a.php
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
Originally Posted by mechBgon
How about a solar-powered light? There's some company working on one... what's their name... oh yes, Cateye.
https://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...ibration_a.php

https://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...ibration_a.php
One of them has a headlight on one end and a blinking red tailight on the back. I never was tempted to try one. The ad copy says you can double the output by putting two AA batteries in it too. It can't be too bright. Kinda like me.
https://www.realgoods.com/renew/shop/...801&ts=3503371
https://www.global-merchants.com/home/bikelit.htm
#10
No Talent Assclown


Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 28
From: Southern US :(
Bikes: 1984 Ciocc Designer '84, Custom Columbus EL Keith Anderson -- Ultegra/DA 10sp mix, 2019 Trek Checkpoint AL All-arounder
The newer shimano dynamo hubs are a lot better, but man I still hate how they slow you down.
#11
For the voltage, it is equivalent to 3 AA batteries... 30ish hours of use. This will slow you down much less than a hub generator. If its placed in center of bars, it won't increase your aero profile. If you put out your palm forward in front of you while riding, you would slow down a lot more than with this fan... and you wouldn't slow down much.
It depends how much it weighs.
Compared to taking batteries out, charging, putting them back in, there is some major convenience in this. Should be way better than friction generators, and easier to take off and add back on if its handlebar mounted.
It depends how much it weighs.
Compared to taking batteries out, charging, putting them back in, there is some major convenience in this. Should be way better than friction generators, and easier to take off and add back on if its handlebar mounted.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From: Chicago IL
Bikes: Schwinn Racer (3-speed 1970), DaHon (1984 "Hon") folder, Bianchi Milano
Originally Posted by Falkon
The newer shimano dynamo hubs are a lot better, but man I still hate how they slow you down.
I'm using a sturmey archer X-FDD hub. It doesn't produce a noticable amount of drag either when the light is on or off, except at very slow speeds. Hubs are way more efficient than tire friction generators because there's no friction. Friction generators I've used do produce a noticable amount of drag, but with a hub generator all the drag comes from producing the electricity, which in the case of my setup only uses about a watt of my power.
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
Originally Posted by mechBgon
Personally, I'm waiting for a Corgie-powered headlight 

Sup mech? My power to weight ratio makes Lance look like road kill. I can power the whole town, but I have my human trained to provide all the power. He takes me everywhere I want. Sweet !! peace out dude.
#15
Originally Posted by Falkon
The newer shimano dynamo hubs are a lot better, but man I still hate how they slow you down.
I always thought that generator lights were great for training, adding just a bit of extra resistance.
#16
Originally Posted by 2manybikes
*from the dog*
Sup mech? My power to weight ratio makes Lance look like road kill. I can power the whole town, but I have my human trained to provide all the power. He takes me everywhere I want. Sweet !! peace out dude.
Sup mech? My power to weight ratio makes Lance look like road kill. I can power the whole town, but I have my human trained to provide all the power. He takes me everywhere I want. Sweet !! peace out dude.
#18
Originally Posted by slowandsteady
Solar powered light......something is really wrong with that. If you had the sun, you wouldn't need the light.
#23
Originally Posted by 2manybikes
Do you mind if I steal this line and use it for a sig. ?
Aieee, he's wearing the mind-control goggles again!
*staggers to fridge with glazed stare, gets out the leftover meatloaf... Must... recharge... headlight!
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
Originally Posted by mechBgon
LOL, go for it
Aieee, he's wearing the mind-control goggles again!
*staggers to fridge with glazed stare, gets out the leftover meatloaf... Must... recharge... headlight!
*
Aieee, he's wearing the mind-control goggles again!
*staggers to fridge with glazed stare, gets out the leftover meatloaf... Must... recharge... headlight!
when I laughed my dog went....mmmmm! (really) maybe it is mind control !!





