Comments on: new project: a generator-driven LED headlight http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/ miscellaneous nerdery Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:11:26 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ray http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-3764 Ray Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:39:02 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-3764 I wanted to comment and thank the author, good stuff I wanted to comment and thank the author, good stuff

]]> By: wjc http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-3166 wjc Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:33:25 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-3166 I'm not an electrical engineer or anything, but as i understand it the LED's tolerance is well within the range of output for a standard 6 volt, 3 watt bicycle generator. It seems to be one of the rare examples of standardization in the industry. Not ALL LEDs would work in this sort of direct setup, but it's easy to do some searching online to see what other people are using. There are a handful of different models that work fine. I’m not an electrical engineer or anything, but as i understand it the LED’s tolerance is well within the range of output for a standard 6 volt, 3 watt bicycle generator. It seems to be one of the rare examples of standardization in the industry.

Not ALL LEDs would work in this sort of direct setup, but it’s easy to do some searching online to see what other people are using. There are a handful of different models that work fine.

]]> By: Andrew M http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-3139 Andrew M Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:37:59 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-3139 How do you make sure the LED is not overloaded? Are you using a 6 volt 3 watt generator? I understand that the LED is about 3 watts? How is the wattage determined? I'm new to this stuff. How do you make sure the LED is not overloaded? Are you using a 6 volt 3 watt generator? I understand that the LED is about 3 watts? How is the wattage determined? I’m new to this stuff.

]]> By: Brad Riendeau http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Brad Riendeau Mon, 26 May 2008 20:48:17 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-2276 You have captured simple elegance. You should get a picture with your bike outside the Ordway Music Theatre. The design resonates. The Cree XR-E works at slightly different voltages so getting it to work with the simple circuit is a little trickier. The Luxeon seems to match up very well with generator [dynamo] output. I have a similar set up made with an aluminum tube and a copper cap pressed in. My attachment point is in the drops of the bars with a double p clamp with a long spacer to put the light in the space between the bar and the front bag. That lets me adjust the focal point on the fly. I am working on a second setup powered by 4 aa batteries to go on the other side as a backup / standlight. You have captured simple elegance.
You should get a picture with your bike outside the Ordway Music Theatre. The design resonates.

The Cree XR-E works at slightly different voltages so getting it to work with the simple circuit is a little trickier. The Luxeon seems to match up very well with generator [dynamo] output.

I have a similar set up made with an aluminum tube and a copper cap pressed in. My attachment point is in the drops of the bars with a double p clamp with a long spacer to put the light in the space between the bar and the front bag. That lets me adjust the focal point on the fly.

I am working on a second setup powered by 4 aa batteries to go on the other side as a backup / standlight.

]]> By: wjc http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-2233 wjc Sat, 03 May 2008 04:16:07 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-2233 I used a Luxeon III and L2 lens. The Cree XR-E is brighter i guess, but the Luxeon is fine, and was easier to figure out ordering. In my non-scientific testing so far, this light seems about as bright as a Lumotec halogen lamp. I bet the dual Lux version ends up plenty bright, and different lenses should give better beam pattern. I used a Luxeon III and L2 lens. The Cree XR-E is brighter i guess, but the Luxeon is fine, and was easier to figure out ordering. In my non-scientific testing so far, this light seems about as bright as a Lumotec halogen lamp. I bet the dual Lux version ends up plenty bright, and different lenses should give better beam pattern.

]]> By: Boris http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-2231 Boris Fri, 02 May 2008 15:10:57 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-2231 What LED and what optics are you using? What LED and what optics are you using?

]]> By: Jim http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/comment-page-1/#comment-2229 Jim Fri, 02 May 2008 04:39:37 +0000 http://wjc.fidean.net/log/2008/05/01/new-project-a-generator-driven-led-headlight/#comment-2229 You're a damned genius. Now to use the excess heat to drive a steam generator that can power your GPS. I finally developed that roll of film. Two of the images look pretty good. I ruined the rest. You’re a damned genius. Now to use the excess heat to drive a steam generator that can power your GPS.

I finally developed that roll of film. Two of the images look pretty good. I ruined the rest.

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