My Lighting Project So Far

Here's an Instructables on how to build your own bike generator: http://www.instructables.com/id/BikeGen/
A rack mounted generator, running on brake surface of the bicycle wheel sounds like a good idea. Look at the size of his generator wheel! By the way, the author of the above Instructables has 3 versions of his generator.

Here's some more information on bottle generators with circuits and information about adding a capacitor: http://cocodrilabs.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/bicycle-dynamo-generator/

Here's another thread explaining how to calculate the charge rate of your lead-acid battery (see post #10): http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=16228

BB, I think your onto something by installing a bigger wheel to slow the generator down. Heck, if a Dremel can produce 41 volts, how much is the generator producing with a motorized bicycle.

Good Luck,

Chris
AKA: BigBlue
 
Stick with the led lights, much more energy efficient and brighter too. My headlight bulb has 60 led's in it, and its so bright it hurts my eyes to look straight at it. And it only draws 5w. Without a charging system, my 1.2Ah battery can run my headlight for almost 3 hours, and my brake light (3.6w) for about 4 hours. Of course, it cant run them both simultaneously for that amount of time, but considering the brake light is only on for a few seconds here and there, I'd expect a good 2.5 to 3 hours of continuous use without a charge. My brake light is not as bright as my headlight, but I guess its bright enough since no one has ever rear-ended me.

Yes, I think this is the way to go also. I don't think I've gotten a good charge from the bottle either. 3 hours is plenty of time, and with a solar charger it would keep things charged adequately to be safe.
I was reading statistics on bicycle accidents, and the percentage of rear hits is only 3%. The majority of bicycle VS auto is from the bicycle not being visible when approaching an intersection (Too close to the curb). They say to stay in the middle of the lane where motorist are looking for vehicles to be. In my state its the law to have a day time driving light on any motorized cycle. Do you have a picture of your headlight, and possibly a link.
Thanks Butterbean.
 
This is my headlight www.treatland.tv/chrome-headlight-for-all-mopeds-p/moped-headlight-chrome-guia.htm but it didn't come with a bulb. This is the bulb I ordered for it http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=439 and this is the bulb I ordered for my brake light http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=449 keep in mind that this is a moped headlight, designed to mount to forks that have mounting brackets, so if you want to order the headlight, you will need to fab your own brackets if you dont have a fork that has them. I'm using motorcycle forks that have the brackets for mounting. My brake light is an old yamaha turn signal. I don't know how much people pay attention to my brake light, but I like having it anyway. I found the bulb for my brake light on ebay for $10 less with free shipping.
 
My plan for the generator when I replace it is to run an r/c car wheel with a rubber tire directly on the braking surface of the rim. My rear brake is coaster, so it wont interfere with anything. The smaller diameter of the rim itself compared to the tire, along with the larger drive wheel, should reduce the rpm's of the generator enough to keep it from overheating and burning out again. I feel pretty confident about it.
 
On the subject of the generator's output, I've got the generator hooked up to a mini-charger from Wonderful Creations (an ebay store that sells lighting accessories for motorized bicycles). The charger has a built-in regulator and rectifier, as well as a 4A glass fuse, so I'm not worried about overloads. The only purpose of using a larger drive wheel on the generator is to reduce its rpm's so it doesn't overheat again. The charger was given to me along with the generator.
 
This is my headlight www.treatland.tv/chrome-headlight-for-all-mopeds-p/moped-headlight-chrome-guia.htm but it didn't come with a bulb. This is the bulb I ordered for it http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=439 and this is the bulb I ordered for my brake light http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=449 keep in mind that this is a moped headlight, designed to mount to forks that have mounting brackets, so if you want to order the headlight, you will need to fab your own brackets if you dont have a fork that has them. I'm using motorcycle forks that have the brackets for mounting. My brake light is an old yamaha turn signal. I don't know how much people pay attention to my brake light, but I like having it anyway. I found the bulb for my brake light on ebay for $10 less with free shipping.

I was pondering using a bulb like that a while back. The 1156 will fit the headlight I have. Now I'm wondering how many LED's are made to replace other bulb type sockets.
Thanks ButterBean again.
 
Here's a few expensive products for generating power or controlling power on a bicycle that I found on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunup-Eco-D...-/281103819152?pt=US_Hubs&hash=item417317e190

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BICYCLE-DYN...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a2e5a0e81

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BICYCLE-DYN...141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e7ea446dd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sturmey-Arc...-/370875223077?pt=US_Hubs&hash=item5659e2cc25

Didn't even want to put that stupid plastic box that runs off the chain. Looks flimsy and waiting to fall apart.

Here's a cool dynamo on Ebay:
Dynoside1.jpg

Chris
AKA: Big Blue
 
Links to eBay may include affiliate code. If you click on an eBay link and make a purchase, this forum may earn a small commission.
I like those Sturmy Archer hubs. All of those are expensive, and I'm cheap. Think I will order a charger, and if need be add another battery.

Here's a charger someone else here showed me, but I was looking at one for a few dollars more this morning, but its gone already.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-V-1250mA-Volt-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Rechargeable-Battery-Charger-/261262849533?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd47ab5fd&vxp=mtr

I also saw a 12 volt solar charger at HF that would fit on top of the rear rack. I was thinking of using the solar when riding, and the other charger over night. These 2 items combined would be less than $30.00 US.

I enjoy playing, and working on my MAB. I also think this forum is half the fun too.
 
Links to eBay may include affiliate code. If you click on an eBay link and make a purchase, this forum may earn a small commission.
You should also realize something about a battery's capability to charge and discharge. A multiple cell battery can charge one cell at a time and discharge another cell simultaneously with the proper type of charger, known as a balancer. Obviously a generator wired to a rectifier, though effective, is nowhere near as sophisticated as a balanced charger. Therefore, with this type of setup, your battery can not charge and discharge simultaneously. I say all that to say this. When your generator is running, its actually the generator itself that is powering the lights. I noticed that your headlight bulb is 20w, and the generator is 6w. You will burn that generator up in no time, and possibly your entire electrical system with it. My headlight is 5w, and my brake light is 3.6w. That is also more than 6w, but since the brake light is only on when I'm slowing down or stopping, I don't think it produces enough extra draw to do any harm to the generator. But 20w could actually melt the generator. It may not do any harm at first, but as the brushes start to burn up, it will take more energy and more heat for the generator to produce that 20w. If I were you, I'd find a bulb that was less of an energy pig. Just a thought.
balancer only works when you use a LIPO pack not sealed lead acid as he is using.
 
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