bark_eater 

I have a Sanyo bottom bracket dynamo that I would like to use with a set of led head and tail lights. I'm not sure what to look for as far as power requirements and such. The bike will "be of the french school" but faux vintage form certainly follows function. Suggestions as always would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Woody

rhm

The Sanyo Dynapower BB dynamo is rated 3W, 6V, same as most hub dynamos and most side wall dynamos. So it "should" power any standard headlight and tail light combination.

I like the BuM lumotech cyo premium headlight. Tail light choice depends on where you want to mount it (fender? Rack? Seat tube?).

I have had terrible luck with those Sanyo BB dynamos, but let's hope you fare better.

bark_eater 

Coming at the problem (not wanting to build a dynamo wheel) from another direction, is there a way to run dynamo lights off of a battery bank?

Quick google sez nope...

gugie 

I think you're much better off getting an integrated light solution. They seem to be getting better and cheaper every year.

bark_eater 

I haven't looked at those yet. I like the idea of a dynamo hub but the actual use will be fifty to one day verse night riding.

PilotFishBob 

I've replaced the incandescent bulbs with LED equivalents on one bike with a Sanyo dynamo. No problems yet, less drag on dynamo engagement and brighter light but - big caveat - I haven't run it all at higher speed yet, as on a downhill, so the LEDs may burn out at some point doing that. "Less drag" by the way is completely subjective, I can't quantify that statement.

rhm

The LED probably won't burn out. Fifteen years ago, yes; today, no. My worry is the dynamo.

Nemosengineer 

This is a good article on plugging expensive stuff into bicycle generators...

List of Hub Dynamo USB Chargers and Charging Systems for Electronic Devices - CyclingAbout.com

: Mike

noglider 

I put one of those dynamos on my wife's bike just so she could have lights if she needs them unexpectedly. She doesn't ever ride at night on purpose. She has had to use it once or twice, and the setup worked great. I installed a B&M Eyc headlight. It's so tiny, you can miss it. And it's damned good. I think the tail light is the B&M Toplight, which is adequate. Having heard that the dynamo is prone to failure, I check it often, and so far, so good. I have to remind my wife how to operate it, too.

xxcycle.com seems to have the complete B&M line of headlights and tail lights. The company is in France and ships in reasonable time. Prices are very good. Read the descriptions carefully. There are lots of feature levels available. I like the headlights that don't sense the ambient light, so I get lights without that feature. When I switch it on, I want it on fully.

bark_eater 

One problem occured to me. Will the Sanyo work with 650b wheels on a 27" frame?

rhm

If you're asking whether you can make the dynamo fit your frame, I don't know, that depends on the shape of the chain stays, kickstand mounting plate, etc. Some frames are easier to work with than others. I can see how you may have trouble, but no use in speculating. Give it a try, you'll soon figure it out.

If you're asking whether the wheel size will run the dynamo at the wrong speed, no, there's nothing to worry about there.

bark_eater 

I'm thinking the dynamo will be far forward if mount ahead of the chainstay bridge. Mounted aft it will interfere with the fender. I'll mock it up when I get my wheels.

3speed

Just to clarify for certainty, I have run one of those that rhm sent me to try to fix. I used it with a B&M headlight on a couple test rides, at high-ish speeds(~25mph), and it works great. No change at all in the light from slow to pretty fast speeds. I rode it on a commute for the test rides and it got several miles each time. There should be zero problem. That said, I say get a hub dynamo. You can get an SP hub that looks good and has no noticeable drag for ~$100. Once you get one, you'll never go back to another lighting solution. I've heard of many reliability complaints and was unable to repair a couple that were making some loud squealing noises. They seemed to be just plain worn out, despite one that should have had little use. Maybe age degraded the material?

52telecaster

I second the hub dynamo advice. Its so easy and so nice. Just have to get over the hump of building or buying. All my bikes have dynamos now.

bark_eater 

I priced out a dynamo system and got scared off by the cost. Thinking out loud in not particularly C+V tone , I might pick up a MagicShine set up. That way I can move it to a different bike if I'm planning on being out all night. To keep in the spirit of C+V I can make a rack mount for a silver b cell mag light and add a retro-esque tail light for local outings. Maybe after I actual do a couple centuries, I'll be able to justify the expense. The Sanyo, I will save for a more of a period piece project.

noglider 

I have lots of bikes, so of course I'm not going to put a dynamo system on all of them, but I've put them on a few, and I haven't regretted the investments at all. I'm a bargain hunter, so I often wait until I see something at a low price. For a while, there was a dynamo-hub-equipped front wheel available for $100, so I couldn't pass that up. It has a Sanyo hub. The reliability and durability of these lights beat anything, so it ends up not being expensive.

My suggestion is to try the Sanyo BB dynamo and some good lights. Buy the best headlight you can afford. If you like the system and find fault in the dynamo, then you know a hub dynamo is a good idea.

I'm not so passionate about tail lights. Battery powered tail lights are fine, since they don't need frequent charging.