Top secret prototype!

Hub1 

Ok, so not exactly top secret, as you can buy them from your LBS. It’s a Shimano DH-3D70 dynamo hub. Quality is meant to be equivalent to XT/Ultegra, plus it’s disk brake compatible. Which is nice.

It says on the side that it generates 3W at 6V. I’m assuming that’s AC, but have yet to attach a scope to check. I’m planning to connect it to a Luxeon 3W LED front light, plus battery backup, autocharge and auto switch to battery at slow speeds. I’d also like to add a 5V regulated output to a USB socket. The idea being that devices such as mobile phones and PDAs can be charged on the bike - which could be pretty handy for touring purposes. It’s a bit of a back burner project, so don’t expect anything too soon :)

3 Comments »

  1. Simon Said,

    October 24, 2006 @ 4:54 pm

    It’s huge! Is it as heavy as it looks?

  2. Ian Said,

    October 24, 2006 @ 5:15 pm

    Shimano claim it’s “compact and lightweight”.
    I imagine if you’ve got a Rolhoff in the other hand it is :)
    The bathroom scales put it in the 600-700gram range.
    I’ve just noticed that solid lights are producing roughly what I want -
    http://www.solidlights.co.uk/products/1203d.php
    But want 150 quid. They look a bit too ‘blue peter’ for me to part with that sort of money.

  3. Simon Said,

    October 24, 2006 @ 6:16 pm

    Wow, that is lardy! I’ve seen the solidlights, they look awful. I’d want something much prettier for £150.

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