I have a question related to this if that’s ok.
I use a Schmidt hub which my Edulux2 is connected to. I have fitted piggy back connectors to the cable as in the future I plan to hook up a USB charging device. (Not purchased yet) In the interim, the piggy back connectors have been useful in that they are easier to clip on/off the hub.
With my plan to connect a USB charger to the set up, a friend has suggested the following:
Rather than connect the wires from the USB charger to the piggy back connectors at the hub ; somehow ‘T off’ a piggy back connector above the fork crown/near the steerer tube. This sounds great as I won’t have two lots of wires traveling up the fork from the hub. Tidy, less chance of snags damage and I can easily clip the USB charger onto the system only when I need it.
How would I 1/ ‘T off’ from the main hub/light cable and 2/ What type of connectors would I use?
Alternatively I guess I could have a ‘fork length’ extension heat shrunk together to the hub/light cable. One end would be permanently attached to the piggy back connectors by the hub; the other end would have exposed connectors near the fork crown/steerer that I can clip the USB cable to when I needed it.
What do you think?
Many thanks.
Let me start off by saying that I am not an electrician or a mechanic.
My normal approach is KISS, because I'm generally all the Ss, so my first reaction is to think that you're over complicating the matter.
If your light has an on/off switch there is no need to plug in or out the charging device. I'd just connect the cabling for the charger to the hub on the piggybacks (that's what they are for). And that is what I do.
I can't imagine leaving loose connectors flopping about exposed to whatever the road and nature throws at them to be a good idea.
In theory you could do as you describe, but I imagine the issue would be weatherproofing whatever splitter you use at the steering tube.
I just wonder if it wouldn't open up more issues such as the afore mentioned weatherproofing and exposed connectors as well as what happens if the cable at the fork gets damaged? At least with 2 separate cables running from piggybacks, if one is damaged, hopefully the other is still good.
As for what Splitter to use? Sorry - no idea. Ask an expert
Your second option would be more straightforward. Male/female connectors coming together, but again increasing the risk of failure due to exposure (2 loose sets of connectors).
The question is why do you want to plug the charger in or out?