Hub charging?

[andyfromotley]

Probably a dumb question but is it possible to charge a netbook/mobile/satnav from a hub dynamo type thingy? (probably not all at the same time i appreciate. And how much would such a thing cost?

Andy

 

[Arch]

A quick google throws up this:

http://www.pedalpower.com.au/index_files/Page7524.htm

I don't properly (if at all) understand the niceties of electrics, but it certainly seems to be possible...

 

[andym]

Have a look around on this forum:

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid=3266141

and on BikeRadar

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12663413

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12580737

The pedalpower is one option, the other is the E-Werk from Busch and Muller. Both are now available in the UK (dotbike and St John's Cycles IIRC).

It's unlikely any dynamo would, on its own, provide enough power for all three devices (at least if you are using the netbook a lot), but it still looks like a good starting point.

EDIT: off-topic but a propos your signature. A year studying maths at university is more than the vast majority of the UK population and probably makes Gordon Brown the most numerate prime minister in a long time.

 

[andrew_s]

It's unlikely you would be able to charge a netbook unless you can charge it from a car lighter socket. Most mains adapters are 17-18V output.

The B+M E-Werk will give up to 13.3V if you are riding fast enough, so you should be able to cobble a car cigarette lighter socket onto one of the spare cables supplied and use that. It comes with mini and micro USB plugs, a USB socket and two bare wire ended cables.

The pedalpower and the other available options seem to give USB-spec power (i.e 5v at up to 500mA), so would run anything you can run off USB. However the limited current may mean that charging isn't all that quick.

 

[andym]

One option might be the Minigorilla from PowerTraveller. The input voltage is 9v so you could charge from the E-Werk (with the right connectors) but, not with the pedalpower. Alternatively you could get the Solargorilla and use with a solar charger.