http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Dynamo light plus charging other stuff? en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:03:45 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221273 Fri, 27 May 2016 23:42:32 +0000 LaidBack 221273@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>A Light that has a USB port outlet on it, another thing I have a feeling exists.</em></p> <p>Luxos from B+M. Think though you had bad experience with their charger unit?<br /> We use one on the tandem. Has USB. However it can't light the road and charge a battery / Garmin at same time. Although Darkersider did - for a while.<br /> Now on version 3 at least as B+M improve.<br /> No bike component is fail free. e.g. - We have had a quality dynamo hub fail.</p> <p>Welcome to see item at shop fitted. Have one in stock. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221267 Fri, 27 May 2016 20:45:39 +0000 unhurt 221267@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Limits of their powers untested, all-seeing &amp; all-knowing (within forum bounds), etc? </p> <p>(May be partly wishful thinking - I was once a forum power, a long time ago in an internet far, far away.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221255 Fri, 27 May 2016 20:01:22 +0000 chdot 221255@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"all forum powers are "shadowy"."</p> <p>Really?</p> <p>How do you work that out? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221253 Fri, 27 May 2016 19:50:35 +0000 unhurt 221253@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Surely as the shadowy* figure behind the CCE curtain you must be exceptionally responsible?</p> <p>*all forum powers are "shadowy". It is known. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221252 Fri, 27 May 2016 19:48:01 +0000 chdot 221252@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I assume you are responsible"</p> <p>Now <em>there's</em> a question. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221245 Fri, 27 May 2016 19:12:06 +0000 unhurt 221245@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>(Thanks o chdot - I assume you are responsible for making my question a question!)</p> <p>- and to have some actual content: it occurs to me I could go for a dynamo light that plugs into a USB port, and just swap the light for whatever else I want to power! Or a light that has a USB port outlet on it, another thing I have a feeling exists. </p> <p>Wait. Have I answered my own question? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221222 Fri, 27 May 2016 15:33:07 +0000 unhurt 221222@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks - I have a SON dynamo, and it works grand to charge a battery pack on its own. Sounds like I maybe just need to wire things up as suggested above and accept that battery pack charging will be a bit slower; assume when I unplug the battery pack the light will then function at full brightness... </p> <p>Cheers for the loan offer but I have a battery pack (not a dynamo specific bit of kit, but that suits me as I also want to be able to charge it from the mains on non-bike trips) so ideally I can rig something up that works with the stuff I have. </p> <p>(I was sure I posted this as a question topic but apparently not, oops.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221180 Fri, 27 May 2016 12:34:33 +0000 Roibeard 221180@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As for replacing the rim, that's as easy as replacing the rim on any hub, so no issue there.</p> <p>Indeed on some ordinary hubs, the rebuild cost is high compared to replacing the whole wheel, but if you have a dynamo hub, replacing the rim alone is more likely to be cost effective.</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221179 Fri, 27 May 2016 12:33:08 +0000 Roibeard 221179@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think any hub dynamo could accommodate an external battery pack, not just SON, it's just I've got the physical plugs for a SON on my battery pack.</p> <p>That said, I've a Biologic hub which provides 2.4W instead of 3W and it struggles to power both a front and rear light simultaneously (it was meant for front only) - that probably wouldn't be ideal for light and recharging concurrently!</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221132 Fri, 27 May 2016 07:34:34 +0000 gembo 221132@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I heard this earlier in the week when flirting with getting a dynamo. The sp brand which is similar to son? Could take a USB so running dim Dynamo whilst charging spare light or maybe your phone?</p> <p>The shimano one I was after as it was cheaper could not do this? Also it was cheaper as it came assembled to the wheel. So my further query is - if rim wears out (very likely on my commute) can all dynamos be taken off the old rim and a new rim built round them</p> <p>Neither brand appears to be great for running repairs according to the other thread?</p> <p>I am back to being pre-contemplative about dynamos. Lot of ins, lot of outs, lot of money </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221121 Thu, 26 May 2016 22:39:29 +0000 Roibeard 221121@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There are a couple of options available which don't require a particular light.</p> <p>These battery packs are usually wired in parallel with the light, so no need to swap between the lights and battery.</p> <p>If you have a SON hub, I've a battery pack with the required connectors to be plugged in alongside a light, and your welcome to borrow it...</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16444#post-221113 Thu, 26 May 2016 20:47:21 +0000 unhurt 221113@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I want to actually put a decent dynamo front light on the Do All Things bike - but I have refined my needs: can I hook any light I buy up in such a way that I can charge a battery pack either (1) at the same time as having (some) light, or, almost as acceptable, (2) hook up a battery pack instead of the light as needed (via my wee usb-output box thingy) without having to faff about prising one set of contacts off the dynamo output and connecting another? Or do I need to buy a Particular Light to do this? Need the light for Ride to the Sun, but want a set up that will also work to keep my electronics charged if/when I head off with the tent for extended periods. </p>