Technical > Battery Charging from a Dynamo

Charging from a SON dynamo

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Dave B:
Hi, next week I will  be visiting SJS in order to get my Nomad ii serviced . It has a SOM dynamo that power's an Edlux Ii front light. Whilst there I am considering purchasing a charging device to charge an external battery  (Anker 5000) in order to charge my mobile whilst on tour. Any advice / recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks

[Edited typo in title for easier search -- Dan].

mickeg:
My advice would be to wire it in such a way that you can attach and disconnect devices from your wiring without needing tools.  I use quick connect fittings on my wiring.  I like to be able to move devices from one bike to another.  But if you expect to only use these devices with one bike, that is less of an issue.  I do all my own work, you did not say who is doing the wiring, you or SJS.

I have both devices (light and charger) wired in parallel.  When the light is turned off, all power goes to the charger.  But when the light is turned on, the light consumes almost all of the power.

You will need to decide if you want the USB power port to be in your stem cap (expensive) or elsewhere (less expensive).  That is your call.

If you are certain that you will only use it to charge a battery pack, then a pass through cache battery is not needed.  But if you were charging phones, GPS units, etc., then a pass through cache battery is nice to have so the the pass through battery continues charging your  device while you are stopped at stop lights.

On my Nomad I use a USB charger when touring, but when not touring that charger is not on that bike.  Thus, I just stick it on the bike for the tour.  I attach it to the top tube near the headtube, and remove it at the end of the tour, use a zip tie to attach it.  See photos.

I suspect Dan will have some links with wiring suggestions too.

Dave B:
Thanks for the info. Time permitting I will ask SJS to attach. I don't intend to swap the device to another bike. The integrated headset unit looks good,  but I agree very pricey. Really i just want a basic unit that provides sufficient power to charge a battery in the day which then can be used to charge my phone at night.  Great pics. Cheers

Danneaux:
Hi Dave!

Your results may vary depending on the dynamo output, charging unit, and demands of the device/battery being charged. Results with many combinations are mixed depending on how they are combined.

Most recently, I've been testing the German made Cycle2Charge version 2 by Dirk Langhuber. I have two units, one paired with a SON hub dynamo, the other with an old Sanyo Dynapower [SIC] bottom bracket (actually chainstay) mounted dynamo. Results so far have been encouraging. Build quality is excellent, as is price. Still wringing mine out in full testing to assess efficiency. Jury rigged at present in parallel with my other chargers so I can test directly. Will have further reports when each is fully installed. Preliminary results on my two units confirm the company's claim of USB 2.0 power of 500mA @ 5vdc just past 12kmh/7.5mph and a full 1.0A (1000mA @ 5vdc) above 21kmh/13mph and maximum output remains capped at that for higher speeds. This is higher output than my Tout Terrain The Plug 2+ which is capped at 500mA. It also compares favorably to my B&M e-Werk charger. Keep in mind, this is when powered by SON28 Neu or Klassik dynohubs.

With my Sanyo Dynapower tire-drive dynamo, I make sure the switch on my B&M Cyo R headlight (which in turn feeds my B&M Toplight Line Plus taillight) is turned off when I am charging. Otherwise, I leave the headlight switch on to power the lights when the dyno is engaged on the tire tread. With a tire-drive dynamo it is easy to forget to turn the light back on after charging and then...no lights. Duh. :P The output differs with the Sanyo because that dynamo's output curve differs from my SON28 Neu and Klassik dynohubs. I experimented with several of the half-dozen Dynapowers I have on hand. Those dynamos with factory internal limitation did not do so well as those where I removed it. While I much prefer a hub dynamo, the bike in question is already equipped with the Dynapower and it is convenient and economical for me to leave it in place.

The Cycle2Charge can be mounted on the steerer or -- with the aid of a separate CNC'd aluminum bracket -- on 22.2mm diameter handlebars or quill stems (mine). It has superb internal weather sealing (epoxy-potted electronics) and a rotating top cap that shields the charging port fully when not in use and partially when in use. Depending on the orientation of the charging port, I was happy to find I could charge in the rain with no problem. This can be a problem with most USB chargers as charging in the wet can cause the contacts to burn out due to electrolysis. I've had it happen even with gold contacts, as the soft gold wears off at the actual contact points with the friction of insertion and removal. I made a little rain hood/shower cap for my Tout Terrain connection and charge my devices under cover inside my handlebar bag.

I bought mine direct from Dirk for 59.90 Euro each (and no VAT) and found him to be swift and accurate in shipping, honest and very accommodating of customer needs (my first unit was apparently used as a wheel chock for the postal truck that delivered it, just prior to dropping the package in a puddle and the box bursting in transit. Only one soggy charger arrived in the package; Dirk made good on the missing unit).

One note: When looking at reviews, make sure they are for version 2, as version 1 is no longer available. Dirk tells me there will be no version 3.

See:
English translated company website: https://www.cycle2charge.de/index.php/en/
Original German: https://www.cycle2charge.de/index.php/de/
Company Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cycle2charge/posts/1835193000052302
Unit at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cycle2Charge-V2/dp/B007UEAR48/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522424074&sr=8-1&keywords=cycle2charge&dpID=41zDqAZzPyL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Bracket at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handlebar-Adaptor-for-Cycle2Charge/dp/B00X2W5382/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522424074&sr=8-2&keywords=cycle2charge&dpID=41cDCyRwX2L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Reviews:
http://www.viavelo.cc/review-cycle2charge-usb-charger/
http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.com/2015/02/cycle2charge-dynamo-electrickery.html
http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/cycle2charge-electrickery-part-2.html
Translated Weraldfietser (World Cyclists) Forum discussion: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=https://www.wereldfietser.nl/www/phpbb/viewtopic.php%3Ft%3D29951&prev=search
https://triduffer.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/the-great-dynamo-usb-power-run-off/
http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=10679.0

Best,

Dan.

Dave B:
Thanks for the very detailed response. I will have a good read and make a choice. Cheers,  Dave B

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