Which bottle dynamo?

[Sara_H]

I'm thinking of fitting a bottle dynamo - mostly as I'm hoping to do a bit of cycle camping with my son in the summer school hols and I'd like to use it to charge my iphone. Other than that I suppose if I've got the dynamo I may as well have dynamo lights.

Any recomendations? Both for the dynamo itself and for the charger/lights.

Thanks.

 

[PpPete]

Honestly - I'd get a hub dynamo.
I've a wheel built around a Shimano DH-3N80 and when you are not drawing current from it, it really doesnt slow me down in any noticeable way. Even with the lights or the battery charger running off it you can't feel the difference.
I use a Philips Saferide Dynamo light... which, whilst its a very powerful light even at 5kph, I cannot recommend because the bracket is just PANTS. I did hear they were bringing out a new version with a better bracket but don't know when. For power I piggyback a Pedalpower S-I-C off it, which includes all the connectors necessary for iPhone or any USB device.

 

[PpPete]

[QUOTE 1903706, member: 45"]
Pete- what was your issue with the bracket? Mine fits fine and appears nice and sturdy?[/quote]
It snapped after about 100 miles ! Right across one of those grooves - just where the mounting screw goes.

After endless e-mails back & forth with the retailer in Germany it was established that it was impossible to get spare brackets so I got an edelux bracket from SJS and bent it to fit. This one
.

The metal doesnt look much thicker - but no grooves and it was quite hard to bend. So far (well over 1000 miles) no problems.

 

[Sara_H]

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking a bottle dynamo would be a cheaper option, and I'd be able to disconnect it when not in use (I have enough trouble getting up the hill I live on!).

I'm doing a bike maintenance course soonish, so I'll maybe think about fitting a dynamo hub when I'm a bit more confident fettling!

 

[PpPete]

[QUOTE 1903942, member: 45"]Oops!

The bracket on mine is different to that, and the one in this pic...
http://www.philips.co.uk/c/bicycle bulbs/saferide-bf60l60balx1/prd/

Yours appears to have straight sides, with two tags going in half way down. Mine is curved into more of a circle around the bolt hole, which then comes back out to go up to the bracket.

Hopefully they've fixed the problem. I think you can see the difference on this one...

[/quote]

Looks quite different! The reflector element that is required by German regulations has been moved off the bracket and onto the lens element. I'd also guess that bracket is entirely interchangeable with those from other manufacturers (which it didnt use to be).

Glad they paid attention !

 

[ushills]

Sara, I have one of these that I used for about 50m before upgrading to a hub dynamo and building a wheel.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/busch-and-muller-dymotec-6-sidewall-bottle-dynamo-prod1061/

If you wanted to make an offer I would be willing

 

[Aushiker]

I'm thinking of fitting a bottle dynamo - mostly as I'm hoping to do a bit of cycle camping with my son in the summer school hols and I'd like to use it to charge my iphone.

One thing to keep in mind is that you are unlikely to be able to charge your iPhone off the dynamo without a PedalPower+ product or similar in between the two components. The iPhone is sensitive to fluctuations in power delivery I believe.

Personally I have SON 28 dynamo and a PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable but the SON 28 is probably too expensive given your interest in a bottle dynamo.

Andrew