Lighting Systems

Mike Boersma said:

Does anyone have experience with the Busch and Mueller dynamo + lights?
What difference, if any between the 6v and the 12v systems? What kind of
reliability with BM, especially on multiday/multinight rides?

I have a B&M 6 and a Lumotec Oval light. I don't use it very often but
it's always on the touring/commuting bike. The dynamo is quite noisy
but the noise becomes more regular and less offensive as it warms up.
The contact pressure is adjustable - minimum is fine in the dry, but
heavy rain and big puddles require maximum pressure even with the dynamo
mounted behind the fork blade (where wheel motion tends to drag it in
tighter). I have the accessory wire brush roller but haven't dared fit
it yet - my tyres are Vredestein S-Licks with no dynamo track so I run
the dynamo off the very edge of the tread rather than the sidewall.

The light is excellent - just enough for unlit country lanes. I use a
3W bulb and an LED rear battery lamp.

In terms of reliability, the system has been used intermittently for
nearly 5 years without trouble. I've tested it up to <cough> 48mph and
the bulb didn't blow.