So there I was, out for a late-afternoon ride with my (excellent) new Cateye Single Shot Plus blazing away. Hmm, I thought, I wonder how it compares to the dynamo light? So I flicked on my faithful old B&M Dymotec 6. A hideous screaming noise followed, and a feeling as if someone had just slammed on the front brake for me. The resistance has suddenly increased hugely on the dynamo, to the point where it barely works at all. I'm guessing some water or grit has somehow got inside, but I can't find any way of getting at the innards to lube them. The alignment's still right, the roller and tyre are OK. The instruction booklet that came with it doesn't help at all. Anyone know whether you can do anything to lube/maintain these things, or is it dead?
.... Or is it just sulking because I've snubbed it for my flashy new battery light...
So there I was, out for a late-afternoon ride with my (excellent) new Cateye Single Shot Plus blazing away. Hmm, I thought, I wonder how it compares to the dynamo light? So I flicked on my faithful old B&M Dymotec 6. A hideous screaming noise followed, and a feeling as if someone had just slammed on the front brake for me. The resistance has suddenly increased hugely on the dynamo, to the point where it barely works at all. I'm guessing some water or grit has somehow got inside, but I can't find any way of getting at the innards to lube them. The alignment's still right, the roller and tyre are OK. The instruction booklet that came with it doesn't help at all. Anyone know whether you can do anything to lube/maintain these things, or is it dead?
Have you checked for any shorts in the wiring? It sounds like you're driving a direct short when you turn the lights on, hence the massive drag. Not sure about the squealing though!
Have you checked for any shorts in the wiring? It sounds like you're driving a direct short when you turn the lights on, hence the massive drag. Not sure about the squealing though!
Yup - even with everything disconnected it's still tough to turn. Thanks for the suggestion though.
However... I have just managed to break the dynamo while trying to dismantle it (whoops), so it looks like it's time to go shopping for a new one anyway.
So there I was, out for a late-afternoon ride with my (excellent) new Cateye Single Shot Plus blazing away. Hmm, I thought, I wonder how it compares to the dynamo light? So I flicked on my faithful old B&M Dymotec 6. A hideous screaming noise followed, and a feeling as if someone had just slammed on the front brake for me. The resistance has suddenly increased hugely on the dynamo, to the point where it barely works at all. I'm guessing some water or grit has somehow got inside, but I can't find any way of getting at the innards to lube them. The alignment's still right, the roller and tyre are OK. The instruction booklet that came with it doesn't help at all. Anyone know whether you can do anything to lube/maintain these things, or is it dead?
... Or is it just sulking because I've snubbed it for my flashy new battery light...
I used to use one and I had a number of problems with it; it used to turn itself on in daytime when I hit a bump, it slipped appallingly in the wet and it sounded like a coffee grinder, although it worked OK. I'm quite glad I have a dynamo hub now.
I used to use one and I had a number of problems with it; it used to turn itself on in daytime when I hit a bump, it slipped appallingly in the wet and it sounded like a coffee grinder, although it worked OK. I'm quite glad I have a dynamo hub now.
I've got to say that mine never slipped at all once I cranked the pressure up to maximum, never turned on accidentally, and just produced a gentle whirr so long as I got the alignment EXACTLY right. Until it broke, that is.
S6 model now ordered from Germany (where the price in Euros is the same as the price in Sterling in the UK). We shall see how that lasts...
I used to use one and I had a number of problems with it; it used to turn itself on in daytime when I hit a bump, it slipped appallingly in the wet and it sounded like a coffee grinder, although it worked OK. I'm quite glad I have a dynamo hub now.
I've got to say that mine never slipped at all once I cranked the pressure up to maximum, never turned on accidentally, and just produced a gentle whirr so long as I got the alignment EXACTLY right. Until it broke, that is.
S6 model now ordered from Germany (where the price in Euros is the same as the price in Sterling in the UK). We shall see how that lasts...
For the price of the S6, why not a SON? OK, you have to add the cost of spokes, and a wheelbuild if you don't DIY, but there's negligible light-off drag, it will never slip or eat tyres, and it's likely to last far longer.
