Thorn Cycles Forum
Technical => Lighting and Electronics => Topic started by: ourclarioncall on November 24, 2021, 04:04:59 pm
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Am I right in thinking a rear dynamo light is connected to the front dynamo light ? The electricity passes from the hub to the front light then on to the back? And then returns to compete the circuit
My main question is could you turn on both front and rear lights from a switch attached to the handlebars? Somehow
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That is how it works with my supernova lights driven from a dynohub.
The front light has a switch on the rear for on and off.
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Yes you’re correct, so if the switch is between the dynamo and headlight it should work on both lights.
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Are you asking if you can add an additional switch? If so, yes it's simple enough, though the wiring gets messy and with a switched light intended for hub dynamos and the light mounted in one of the usual places, it really isn't necessary. Maybe on some sort of cycle where you couldn't reach the light while riding it would be an advantage.
I added a switch when using a non switched light intended for a bottle dynamo with a hub, but the wiring annoyed me and I ended up going direct and it being on all the time, daytime lights before they were popular!
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Luxos U has a handlebar mounted switch with the USB port.
But I really think no handlebar switch is needed for most bikes, it takes very little practice to be able to reach to the switch button on the headlight, assuming it is on the front fork. Extra wires and a switch that is not really needed is one more place for rain to get into.
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My main question is could you turn on both front and rear lights from a switch attached to the handlebars? Somehow
Tried this. It adds complication and a possible failure point. So I rejected it.
Modern front lamps that are used with a hub dynamo generally have a switch that controls both front and rear lamps.
It depends on where you mount the front lamp, in some cases you can operate the switch when riding. Nowadays, with efficient LED lamps and dynohubs I generally don't bother and leave the lamps on all the time for the (marginal) extra daytime visibility.
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My wife has an older shimano hub Dynamo that actually came with a handlebar switch direct to hub and the cables for lights fed from switch. When I added hub dynamos to my bikes they initially all had old school no switch Dynamo lights where I soldered switches to. But since LED upgrades they all have integrated switches. Many new lights even have sensor to switch automatically when dark.
But there is so much to be gained by being visible to car drivers AND you hardly notice any drag riding with hub Dynamo running that my whole family all leave lights in the on position all year round day and night.
My recommendation would be to not worry about a switch, but rather run always on. And try to get lights with stand light function. This is small battery/capacitor that keeps lights showing for a couple of minutes after wheels stop turning. Enough to keep you visible when stopped at junctions or to read a map etc.
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Sorry folks, been really caught up with family life. I like to reply to everyone that comments but a bit overwhelmed!
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That is how it works with my supernova lights driven from a dynohub.
The front light has a switch on the rear for on and off.
Gotcha , makes sense 👍
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Yes you’re correct, so if the switch is between the dynamo and headlight it should work on both lights.
Oh yeah , so all I need is a bring the wires from the hub up to handlebars and a switch , then onto the front light . Basically an in-line switch that open the circuits and turns lights off, which I think is basically what the on of switch on the light itself is doing
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Are you asking if you can add an additional switch? If so, yes it's simple enough, though the wiring gets messy and with a switched light intended for hub dynamos and the light mounted in one of the usual places, it really isn't necessary. Maybe on some sort of cycle where you couldn't reach the light while riding it would be an advantage.
I added a switch when using a non switched light intended for a bottle dynamo with a hub, but the wiring annoyed me and I ended up going direct and it being on all the time, daytime lights before they were popular!
Aye , I’ve been having a look at the wiring on folks bikes and see what you mean about the wiring potentially getting messy . And more chance of one of the wires getting damaged somehow
Yeah, I’m thinking the always on option is a good choice , both day and night.
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Luxos U has a handlebar mounted switch with the USB port.
Never heard of that I don’t think , il take a look
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My main question is could you turn on both front and rear lights from a switch attached to the handlebars? Somehow
Modern front lamps that are used with a hub dynamo generally have a switch that controls both front and rear lamps.
Not sure if I’m right but on some dynamo lamps , is there a third setting other than on or off? Like it’s on but it only comes on when it gets dark enough? A bit like how a streetlight/lamp post works
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My recommendation would be to not worry about a switch, but rather run always on. And try to get lights with stand light function. This is small battery/capacitor that keeps lights showing for a couple of minutes after wheels stop turning. Enough to keep you visible when stopped at junctions or to read a map etc.
That stand light function could be incredibly handy if you get a puncture on a dark country road. Especially if you have those magnetic snap on things so you can pull the light off and turn it around and face the front wheel to see what your doing better .
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That stand light function could be incredibly handy if you get a puncture on a dark country road. ...
Stand light only lasts long enough for the red light to turn green, and a bit longer than that. It is a to-be-seen light, not really bright.
I occasionally turn my lights on or off, but I can reach down to the light and turn them on and off without looking at them. Why do you want a handlebar mounted switch, pretty close to nobody uses one.
The exception I mentioned, the Luxos U has a USB charger on a cable, that cable hangs from the handlebar switch. And with that bike you likely want to turn the lights off when using the USB charger so there is a reason to have a switch.
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Mickeg
Ah gotcha . I’m guessing some stand lights last longer than others? Do any brands have a significantly longer length ?
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The reason for the handlebar switch
Coz it’s cool ? Coz I have lots of interesting gadgets in the cockpit ? Coz I like having instant control at my fingertips? 🤔
Well…. I was just thinking about having a setup with a front and rear dynamo light aswell as battery powered blinking lights powered from the dynamo
I’m thinking there are times I would like to have no lights on while I’m leaving my village, then once I start riding I’d like to turn on the front and rear dynamo lamps , as an on day and night soloution, but I’d rather be able to keep the flashing battery powered lights off as not to annoy people or draw too much attention to myself .
Then if I’m on the road instead of pavement I could turn on the battery powered lights (well they would be powered by dynamo)
Hope I’m making sense
I guess I’m looking at 2 switches mounted on the handlebars, one switch for the pair of normal front and back dynamo lights and another switch for the pair of battery(wired to dynamo) blinking lights
So I can turn everything on and off instantly for the various situations i find myself in
It seems like my idea (which i may never actually do) could be quite complex to pull off, but it would be pretty cool and sometimes that usurps being sensible lol 😆
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Not sure if I’m right but on some dynamo lamps , is there a third setting other than on or off? Like it’s on but it only comes on when it gets dark enough?
Yes, on many, usually called Senso or something similar. I never bother, I can make my own mind up if I want the lights on or off.
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Mickeg
Ah gotcha . I’m guessing some stand lights last longer than others? Do any brands have a significantly longer length ?
Ask someone at your local bike shop.
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I’m guessing some stand lights last longer than others? Do any brands have a significantly longer length ?
You can rummage through the specifications. My Birdy Rohloff has the Supernova E3 Pure 3 headlight ( https://supernova-lights.com/en/products/dynamo-lights/e3-pure-3/ and associated tail light. The specs claim a 5 minute standlight which might be true but what I've noticed is that within a few seconds of stopping the lights become very dim.
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My main question is could you turn on both front and rear lights from a switch attached to the handlebars? Somehow
Modern front lamps that are used with a hub dynamo generally have a switch that controls both front and rear lamps.
Not sure if I’m right but on some dynamo lamps , is there a third setting other than on or off? Like it’s on but it only comes on when it gets dark enough? A bit like how a streetlight/lamp post works
Yes, some do have a sensor setting. I tend to just use mine in the on or off positions. :)
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I’m guessing some stand lights last longer than others? Do any brands have a significantly longer length ?
You can rummage through the specifications. My Birdy Rohloff has the Supernova E3 Pure 3 headlight ( https://supernova-lights.com/en/products/dynamo-lights/e3-pure-3/ and associated tail light. The specs claim a 5 minute standlight which might be true but what I've noticed is that within a few seconds of stopping the lights become very dim.
I like the the look of them , was just browsing dynamo lights recently
Would you buy it again or would you try something different?
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I like the the look of them , was just browsing dynamo lights recently
Would you buy it again or would you try something different?
The dynamo lighting is a standard feature of the German-designed bike. It's not something I would pay for. There's a wide selection of LED bike lights (I've got several Lezyne products which provide the user choice between brightness, flash options and duration on battery) which better meet my needs of being visible in the day time or, only in emergency, at night.
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My dynamo light of choice would be the Edelux II, I had an early Supernova, an original Edelux, currently Edelux II and B&M IQ-X, the B&M probably has a slightly better beam than the Edelux, but has a finicky switch and lacks the build quality. I wouldn't consider any light, dynamo or battery, that wasn't STVZO compliant, unless it was a secondary light to be used with consideration to others.
I've probably posted this before - the Peter White website is probably the best resource for all things dynamo
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/plight.php
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My dynamo light of choice would be the Edelux II, I had an early Supernova, an original Edelux, currently Edelux II and B&M IQ-X, the B&M probably has a slightly better beam than the Edelux, but has a finicky switch and lacks the build quality. I wouldn't consider any light, dynamo or battery, that wasn't STVZO compliant, unless it was a secondary light to be used with consideration to others.
I've probably posted this before - the Peter White website is probably the best resource for all things dynamo
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/plight.php
Funnily enough, I just a burst of research on front dynamo lighting and I concluded the Edelux II was the best current option to go for
I’m not sure what STVZO is , il google it
I like the look of the klite qube flashers and usb charger . But on sjs it says they are not road legal but then it says something about in conjunction with other lights
I think what they are saying is you CAN use them but you must also have a steady rear light too?
I did try to brush up on I’m lighting law but I’m not sure if it’s a little vague or dated or open to interpretation
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On the topic of handlebar controlled lights , klite has a neat solution
What I wanted was to have a front and rear steady dynamo lights
And either a front and rear flashing light or just a rear.
I also wanted the ability to turn the dynamo light off or on with a switch and also be able to turn the flashers off or on with a switch
I think I could now achieve this with the klite system and also adding an extra DIY switch
The klite flashers look great and they are usb powered from the usb charger .
There is also a second USB port for charging battery packs and devices or devices through a battery pack pass through
Some or all? front dynamo lights can be powered via a battery pack in the unlikely event your dynamo hub fails.
I read a guy modified a usb cable to connect a battery pack to a front dynamo light
So the klite system is quite expensive but it ticks a lot of boxes
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Thanks for this interesting information!
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Thanks for this interesting information!
How’s it going mate? Are you thinking about getting a lighting system ?