Bottle dynamo
Encyclopedia
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
for bicycles employed to power a bicycle's lights
Bicycle lighting
Bicycle lighting improves the visibility of the bicycle rider to others in dark conditions, i.e. to increase the rider's conspicuity and to enhance the ability of the rider to see, illuminating the way forward. Both reflectors and active lights are used to make the rider more visible, and many ...
— or to charge batteries for electronic devices including cellphones or GPS receivers.
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
for bicycles employed to power a bicycle's lights
Bicycle lighting
Bicycle lighting improves the visibility of the bicycle rider to others in dark conditions, i.e. to increase the rider's conspicuity and to enhance the ability of the rider to see, illuminating the way forward. Both reflectors and active lights are used to make the rider more visible, and many ...
— or to charge batteries for electronic devices including cellphones or GPS receivers.
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
for bicycles employed to power a bicycle's lights
Bicycle lighting
Bicycle lighting improves the visibility of the bicycle rider to others in dark conditions, i.e. to increase the rider's conspicuity and to enhance the ability of the rider to see, illuminating the way forward. Both reflectors and active lights are used to make the rider more visible, and many ...
— or to charge batteries for electronic devices including cellphones or GPS receivers. Treehugger.com Pedal & Power phone charger
Named after their resemblance to bottles, these generators are also called sidewall dynamos because they operate using a roller placed on the sidewall of a bicycle tire
Bicycle tire
A bicycle tire is a tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle, unicycle, tricycle, quadracycle, bicycle trailer, or trailer bike. They may also be used on wheelchairs and handcycles, especially for racing...
. When the bicycle is in motion and the dynamo roller is engaged, electricity is generated as the tire spins the roller.
Two other dynamo systems used on bicycles are hub dynamo
Hub dynamo
A hub dynamo is a small electrical generator built into the hub of a bicycle wheel that is usually used to power lights. Most modern hub dynamos are regulated to 3 watts at 6 volts, although some will drive up to 6 watts at 12 volts.-Models:...
s and bottom bracket dynamos.
Advantages over hub dynamos
- No extra resistance when disengaged: When engaged, a dynamo requires the bicycle rider to exert more effort to maintain a given speed than would otherwise be necessary when the dynamo is not present or disengaged. Bottle dynamos can be completely disengaged when they are not in use, whereas a hub dynamo will always have added drag (though it may be so low as to be irrelevant or unnoticeable to the rider, and it is reduced significantly when lights are not being powered by the hub).
- Easy retrofitting: A bottle dynamo may be more feasible than a hub dynamo to add to an existing bicycle, as it does not require a replacement or rebuilt wheelWheelA wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
.
- Price: A bottle dynamo is generally cheaper than a hub dynamo, but not always.
Disadvantages over hub dynamos
- Slippage: In wet conditions, the roller on a bottle dynamo can slip against the surface of a tire, which interrupts or reduces the amount of electricity generated. This can cause the lights to go out completely or intermittently. Hub dynamos do not need traction and are sealed from the elements.
- Increased resistance: Bottle dynamos typically create more drag than hub dynamos. However, when they are properly adjusted, the drag may be so low as to be trivial, and there is no resistance when the bottle dynamo is disengaged.
- Tire wear: Because bottle dynamos rub against the sidewall of a tire to generate electricity, they cause added wear on the tire. Hub dynamos do not.
- Noise: Bottle dynamos make an easily audible mechanical humming or whirring sound when engaged. Hub dynamos are silent.
- Switching: Bottle dynamos must be physically repositioned to engage them, to turn on the lamps. Hub dynamos are switched on electronically. Hub dynamos can be engaged automatically by using electronic ambient light detection, providing zero-effort activation.
- Positioning: Bottle dynamos must be carefully adjusted to touch the sidewall at correct angles, height and pressure. Bottle dynamos can be knocked out of position if the bike falls, or if the mounting screws are too loose. A badly positioned bottle dynamo will make more noise and drag, slip more easily, and can in worst case fall into the spokes. Some dynamo mounts have tabs to try prevent at least the latter.