Dynamos and hills - battery backup?

[SA_SA_SA]

Sounds like what I remember as the "Byka Owl".
Removable handlebar mount, cylindrical, maybe 2" diameter x 5" long, contained 4xAAs, and ran off either them or a 3.8W Sanyo BB dynamo according to speed. I don't think it charged the batteries, but as the light mostly ran off the dynamo, they lasted wel...

There was a 2nd version that charged(fried!) NiCd rechargables, reviewed by CJ, with the flaw that it didn't work at all when the battery was flat. It also had an external rectifier---- this puzzled me as surely the original version had the rectifier neatily in the headlamp: unless it was to avoid running input cable from dynamo to front lamp, then cable from front lamp to back, but that seemed tider than a separate rectifier...

Was the non-3W dynamo made specially for the UK or was it just a "bulb melting" German approved one?

[niggle]

Would this be any good using a USB charging device run off the dynamo?

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/axa- ... aid:745897

USB rechargeable, 50 Lux

or would it need to be one of the lower power 30 Lux or 15 Lux versions?

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bik ... r_products

[andrew_s]

Was the non-3W dynamo made specially for the UK or was it just a "bulb melting" German approved one?

The Sanyo 3.8W BB dynamo was one of the earlier BB dynamos. I expect the 3.8W was "because they could", with it normally coming with 3W front and 0.8W rear bulbs. Doubtless not being German approved contributed to its demise.

[cjumf1]

Hi All, I've just bought a Scott Sub 10 commuter bike with a hub dynamo, the rear light is a Spanninga Solo, an LED light that stays on when you stop. it retains a charge for about 5 mins after I get home from a 10 min commute. Someone really put some thought into it. I have been riding bikes for 50 years, and they are finally making what we need, not just what they want us to buy.