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This bike has a dynamo front hub that is wired to LED lights. In addition there is a power output via a female USB plug. You can charge your phone, ipod, GPS or any USB powered device.
In this design, the USB charging station can be unplugged when not in use. When charging the devices can be kept in your pocket or backpack.
The charging station has four AAA rechargeable batteries wired parallel to the female USB that provide a secondary energy storage and once charged can power a USB device independent from the bike.
You can use the dynamo to power the lights or the USB but not simultaneously. A toggle switch on the bullnose handlebars turns the front lights off.
In this design, the USB charging station can be unplugged when not in use. When charging the devices can be kept in your pocket or backpack.
The charging station has four AAA rechargeable batteries wired parallel to the female USB that provide a secondary energy storage and once charged can power a USB device independent from the bike.
You can use the dynamo to power the lights or the USB but not simultaneously. A toggle switch on the bullnose handlebars turns the front lights off.
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Signing UpStep 1Circuits
There are quite a few circuits and great LED tutorials on Instructables. Just check out some resources to get your bearings.
LED for beginners: www.instructables.com/id/LEDs-for-Beginners/
try out different circuits... blinking, back light, combinations =>
pilom.com/BicycleElectronics/DynamoCircuits.htm
As the front wheel turns it creates alternating current (AC) power. The 'bridge' is a rectifier that converts the AC dynamo power to DC power. The bridge is made up of qty(4) 1N5818 diodes.
Bike Light Encapsulated in Epoxy :
The battery pack absorbs any power not consumed by the USB device.
Parts:
qty(4) 1N5818 Diodes
qty(8) White LEDs
qty(1) Battery Pack
LED for beginners: www.instructables.com/id/LEDs-for-Beginners/
try out different circuits... blinking, back light, combinations =>
pilom.com/BicycleElectronics/DynamoCircuits.htm
As the front wheel turns it creates alternating current (AC) power. The 'bridge' is a rectifier that converts the AC dynamo power to DC power. The bridge is made up of qty(4) 1N5818 diodes.
Bike Light Encapsulated in Epoxy :
The battery pack absorbs any power not consumed by the USB device.
Parts:
qty(4) 1N5818 Diodes
qty(8) White LEDs
qty(1) Battery Pack
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![Voltage Regulated [5v] Bicycle Dynamo Light & USB Charger](http://img.instructables.com/files/deriv/FKR/TCHO/GSEEJZIP/FKRTCHOGSEEJZIP.SQUARE.jpg)
Does this react/protect against overcharging? I'm a little worried about excess power frying whatever device I'm charging.
I'm powering this using a 6V DC adapter for testing purposes.
On pin 2 it requires 2.5v and 3 requires 1.8v - It appears these reference voltages are only required to tell the phone to start charging, once the phone has started charging these voltages can be removed.
I'm going to sort out my setup first and will post a more detailed instructable.
couple things to check of course.
-the led should be unplugged for usb charging
-maybe check you got the voltage at the USB pins
-finally the diodes are supposed to convert from AC to DC (the dynamo produced AC current) you indicated you have a DC source and the DC should pass through the diodes. It obviously passes through to light the LED, eh?
let me know when you figure it out.
You could modify the charger to make it work with iPod/iPhone by following this schematic:
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9928/f17v2ncfkhqcshjmedium.jpg
That should make it work with your iPhone/iPod.
let me know if you have any questions. look at the circuit diagrams, follow the links, etc... as we say in Portland, "do it better"
Have fun.