DISQUS

OhGizmo!: Reelight Bike Lights Powered By Magnetic Induction

  • dmills · 2 years ago
    There is a cost to the rider, wieght and areodynamic drag (friction)
  • Felix · 2 years ago
    There is also magnetic Friction because the energy for the Light must come from extra force applied on the magnets, but like the weight and aerodynamic drag the effekt should be nearly zero.
  • Dan · 2 years ago
    Of course there's a cost to the rider - it's exactly the same principle as the old dynamo setup. A magnet moving near a conductor induces a current and experiences a retarding force, this converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. In a dynamo, the coils (conductor) spin inside a magnetic field, whilst here the magnets move near the coils.
    Doesn't anyone balk at reading claims of free energy?
  • Oliver · 2 years ago
    Yeah, this is in no way the first. They had them at least as far back as 1952, if not earlier. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/dynohubs.html
    The only innovation is that this appears to be able to be mounted as an add-on to an existing hub - whereas the originals were part of a stand alone-hub.
    The other trade off, is that the light is fixed to the axle... which sucks
  • Ole · 2 years ago
    These have been out in Denmark for about a year. Friction is near zero. You really don't feel it when riding.
    Having them fixed is a positive thing here, as it would take someone a whole lot of time and energy to steal them.
    Another really great thing about them being fixed is also that you ALWAYS have them on your bike. No more forgetting them and no more forgetting batteries.
    It's a cool commercialization.

    Cheers!
  • NateTheGreat · 2 years ago
    This is by no means the first magnet on the spoke design either. The "Red Alert" by Leader Sports operated by a nearly identical mechanism...and a lot cheaper.
  • GadgetGuy · 2 years ago
    This looks great because once it's on, it's on, you dont have to worry about forgeting it or having it stolen.