Daily Archives: January 6, 2010

Power for the quad ~ mechanical [backup] 3

quadricycle, technology • Tags: ,

Well, not exactly—but, power for devices I use–phone, gps, lights, horn, camera, etc.

I will have a three-tier quad power system: mechanical; mechanical [backup]; & solar. The third-tier is my wheel dynamo system—a LightSpin Dynamo System.

Mechanical [backup]
lightspin dynamo in my RANS Stratus XP

Now, if Tier 1 Lighting [DiNotte 1200L & 400L amber headlights & 400L taillights] fails; I then have Tier 2 Lighting [LED lights powered by the SON Hub Dynamo. Should both of those fail, I’ll have this dynamo as my "fail-safe" backup. If forced to Tier 3 Lighting, it is time to look for a place to call it a day. I have never run out of lighting. I have had to use my backup system. On my 2006 tour to Key West, Florida. I used a two-tier system and had to go to Tier 2 one night. BTW, the little wheel on the top of the dynamo that is turned by the tire wears also. I have spares.

I’ll ask Ashley Guy to install the Light Spin Dynamo for me, preferably on the right, because I am right-handed. At this point, I do not know if the wheel matters. I’m thinking rear wheel.

Power for the quad ~ solar 3

cycling, quadricycle, technology • Tags: ,

Well, not exactly—but, power for devices I use–phone, gps, lights, horn, camera, etc.

I will have a three-tier quad power system: mechanical; mechanical [backup]; & solar.

Solar
Solar Panel Solar Controller Battery for solar panels RedX Wattup RedX

Solar Power: Flexible Solar Panel 10 W 12V System (11.5"x38"), 1 lb ( 460 g)

Solar / DC Charge Controller, 120W, 10A for 12V SLA/LFP Battery, 9.0Oz (250 g)

LiFePO4 26650 Battery: 12.8V 6.8Ah (87 Wh, 25A) in Aluminum-Box w/PCB & Prewire, 1.9Lb (850 g)

Compact Digital Battery Analyzer for Any 4-60V Rechargeable Battery Pack up to 50Amp
ordered two 01/21 ordered one 01/21 DiNotte says no to Li-Ion other than theirs for safety reasons. Will get the Doc Wattson instead

The above components are from BatterySpace.com and as best I can determine will meet my needs for mobile cycling: functional & light. I plan to use 2 solar panels and fit them on the canopy. Combined they will give me 20 watts of power. The controller facilitates smooth controlled flow of solar generated electricity and gives me output connection terminals. I selected this battery based principally on weight. It is a Li-Ion battery and has >2,000 charge cycles. The battery analyzer allows me to monitor the complete system.

Although not a special requirement, it will be integrated with Quad ~ Special Requirement #2—protection from the sun. I am expecting to maintain the charge on the 12-volt battery that will allow me to charge my camera battery, AA & AAA batteries, operate my Garmin Nuvi 760 or the li-Ion that I may use to run it. As to the laptop, there is a powergorilla that I may use. I’d use this system to maintain the powergorilla’s charge if AC is not available.

I still have more math to do to ensure the battery capacity at 6.8Ah is sufficient for the devices I want to charge or operate. In addition, I plan to carry my Radio Shack Inverter for devices that may need a small amount of AC. I welcome comments from experts on a lighter, more functional setup.

Where this system will be used to maintain accessories, it can be the basis for a solar-power assisted quad, should I ever decide to add an electric assist—just add panels and batteries. Of course there is the motor. I’m delighted these quads have more miles in them.

Power for the quad ~ mechanical 2

cycling, quadricycle, technology • Tags: ,

Well, not exactly—but, power for devices I use–phone, gps, lights, horn, camera, etc.

I will have a three-tier quad power system: mechanical; mechanical [backup]; & solar.

Mechanical
SON20S B&M361
The Schmidt Dynamo front hub or SON (Schmidt’s Original Nabendynamo) "bike mobile" E-WERK

I own a SON hub and used it on my RANS Stratus XP. Ashley Guy will integrate it into the quad’s drive train [Quad ~ Special Requirement #1]. Since, I will only run lighting tier #2 when my primary lighting is not functioning, I can use the hub to power other devices. Busch & Müller now has a component [E-WERK ~ sold by Thorusa] that connects to the SON Hub to power accessories. PWC will soon have a buffer cache battery that will allow the iPhone 3GS to be powered by the E-WERK [manual]. I will probably dedicate this power to my iPhone—no other external battery needed [I'll have one just in case]. This system can also serve as backup to my solar power system [next up].