dynamo charging a garmin

[marcusjb]

There is a cheaper E-Werk out that just does USB (the original e-werk has selectable voltage and amperage).

E-Werk is a solid product, I used one for a couple of years. I now have a luxos with built in USB charging.

To be honest, I don't use it really. It is a bit of a faff really.

For around £20-30 you can now buy a battery pack that will charge your garmin up many times. I've used them on long audaxes without issue. Touring as well, and combined with a plug charger, being cheeky at cafes etc., you should be able to last for quite a few days of touring.

USB charging from dynamo only really comes into it's own, IMHO, of you are spending many days off grid touring.

Battery packs are cheap and not particularly heavy.

Something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/13000mAh-Po...8&qid=1387100083&sr=8-2&keywords=Battery+pack

The edge 800 has a 1000mAh battery, so, theoretically, this should be able to charge the edge 13 times (not quite in practice, but certainly 6-8 times without issue).

 

[young Ed]

ai all seems great but the e werk is too expensive for me and i am planning it for my lejog taking about 2.5 or weeks so not sure a single external battery would do it
Cheers Ed

 

[andrew_s]

so i'm crap with electronics

In which case you will be better off going for a commercial solution. If you DIY, you risk failure and having to complete the ride without power

The simple option is to get something that includes a USB supply - a front light with a built-in USB port (B+M Luxos 179U, Axa Luxx 70 Plus, Axa Nano 50 Plus Steady), or a B+M USB-Werk. Other options are available. The Luxos 179U light and the USB-Werk include a small cache battery that continues to supply power through stops at traffic lights - some devices don't like losing power during charging, and will turn off.

Dynohub wheels are available from Spa Cycles, who have a good reputation. Spa also sell the USB-Werk.
St John Street have the Luxos 179U

The Axa lights with USB seem only to be available in Germany - eg Axa Luxx 70 from bike-discount, Axa nano 50, and the USB-werk and the Luxos are cheaper. Look also at http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/, http://www.bike24.de/, http://www.starbike.com/en/

 

[young Ed]

what about this
i'm handy with the soldering iron?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOKIA-DC-...ories_MobilePhoneChargers&hash=item35cf87ed24
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

@Mr Haematocrit what solar pannal do you use
is is flexible and what is the one in your photo called?
Cheers Ed

 

[marcusjb]

ai all seems great but the e werk is too expensive for me and i am planning it for my lejog taking about 2.5 or weeks so not sure a single external battery would do it
Cheers Ed

What accommodation are you using?

If you are using the odd B&B or hostel, you can recharge the battery pack every few days. Cafes etc. are usually cool with you charging things if you ask nicely.

Really is all you need for touring unless you go massively off-grid for many days.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

@Mr Haematocrit what solar pannal do you use
is is flexible and what is the one in your photo called?
Cheers Ed

I have a Voltaic Fuse, its semi-flexible in the sense that the three solar panels are small and there is flexibility between them, but its solid enough to use as a lap tray or to kneel on when the floor is cold and your fixing a punchure. I really like it.

http://www.voltaicsystems.com/fuse10w.shtml

 

[young Ed]

sorry all either campsites or wild camping
thinking if i run a blog about it i could go into libraries to update blog and to charge garmin but that wouldn't be very long maybe max 20 mins same with cafe's will prob be eating proper hot dinner every few days though so could charge over dinner
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

strong enough to kneel on wow i'm not sure i would like to do that
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

bit pricey though think i may still just use one of these

Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

do you reckon 6v will damage garmin as it is meant for 5v usb?
Cheers Ed

 

[mcshroom]

@kimble - I think this may be a thread in need of your expertise

 

[User33236]

Why not go for something like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Battery-Emergency-Travel-Charger/dp/B00BWS1E2M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ce_1

and just pick up AA batteries along your route as needed.

 

[young Ed]

Why not go for something like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Battery-Emergency-Travel-Charger/dp/B00BWS1E2M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ce_1

and just pick up AA batteries along your route as needed.

pretty much this soldered to a usb lead

Cheers Ed

 

[User33236]

pretty much this soldered to a usb lead

Cheers Ed

Not really. It will also contain components to regulate the output voltage thus preventing damage to the connected devices.