Shimano Dynamo Hub setup

Quoted message said:

I'm considering getting this dynamo hub (can't afford
a Schmidt) and I'd really just like to confirm my
understanding of what's required with those of you
who know...

Am I right in thinking that:

a) I don't have to use a rear light connected to the
dynamo. If I don't, then I can upgrade the bulb in the
front light from 2.4w to 3w with no problems ensuing?
Is it worth doing this - is the difference really
noticeable?

It *has* to be a 3W bulb if there is no rear light, or the
front bulb will have a very short life. The 3W bulb is not
noticeably brighter though.

Quoted message said:

b) you can get a switch to turn the Shimano dynamo off
(and save a little drag although not as much as with a
Schmidt), but this is not necessary if you get a front
light that has a switch incorporated -
e.g. the B&W Lumotec Oval Senso Plus?

You do need a switched front light with any hub dynamo
(except those that can be mechanically disengaged, and they
are rare). Otherwise (a) the light is on all the time,
meaning you have to replace bulbs more often and (b) there's
additional drag.

Quoted message said:

c) the oval senso plus is compatible with the Shimano hub
and is a good one to get?

I have a basic Oval and I like the beam pattern and
the looks.

Quoted message said:

a) I don't have to use a rear light connected to the
dynamo. If I don't, then I can upgrade the bulb in the
front light from 2.4w to 3w with no problems ensuing? Is
it worth doing this - is the difference really
noticeable?

Correct. Personally I don't think the difference is
noticable or worth the £4 for the new bulb.

Quoted message said:

b) you can get a switch to turn the Shimano dynamo off (and
save a little drag although not as much as with a
Schmidt), but this is not necessary if you get a front
light that has a switch incorporated -
e.g. the B&W Lumotec Oval Senso Plus?

Also correct - my Dad has that setup on his bike (with rear
light). Works very well and IMO is better as the Shimano
switches have been known to fail. Don't worry too much about
drag BTW, it's barely noticable - in fact I cycle most of
the time with the Nexus on (full drag) in order to charge a
battery pack.

Quoted message said:

c) the oval senso plus is compatible with the Shimano hub
and is a good one to get?

See above / oval senso plus is very good for the price.
Consider buying from www.roseversand.de as prices in Germany
are very good and they offer very good service. (they mailed
us their 2004 yellow-pages thickness catalogue all the way
from Germany free of charge!) Admittedly postage is around
£8-9, but you can buy a Shimano Nexus NX-30 hub dynamo for
£24, Oval Senso Plus for £20.

Hope it all works out well, let us know how you go on.

Chris

On 12 Apr 2004 16:49:32 +0100, [email hidden] wrote in
message <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Am I right in thinking that:

Quoted message said:

a) I don't have to use a rear light connected to the
dynamo. If I don't, then I can upgrade the bulb in the
front light from 2.4w to 3w with no problems ensuing? Is
it worth doing this - is the difference really
noticeable?

Yes you are right, it doesn't make an immense difference but
there is a difference. Get the Philips lamps from CTC Shop
for preference.

Quoted message said:

b) you can get a switch to turn the Shimano dynamo off (and
save a little drag although not as much as with a
Schmidt), but this is not necessary if you get a front
light that has a switch incorporated -
e.g. the B&W Lumotec Oval Senso Plus?

It comes with a light-sensitive switch which also has a
manual control. Or mine did, anyway, and I didn't order it
as an option.

Quoted message said:

c) the oval senso plus is compatible with the Shimano hub
and is a good one to get?

It's OK but I have had several problems with Lumotec front
lights. The Bisy or SON E6 are better.

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

I don't know if this is of any use from 'Shimano Website'.

More efficient dynamo hubs

The new dynamo hubs DH-3N30 (6V / 3.0 W) and DH-2N30-E (6V /
2.4 W) are not only compact and lightweight, they are also
very efficient. They feature a reduced resistance by about
40 percent compared to the current HB-NX32 (3.0
W) and HB-NX22 (2.4 W) when the light is switched off.

These new dynamo hubs have been developed with a single
contact sealing for improved waterproof functionality and
will be available at an even more affordable price.

Availability in the market: September 2004

Thanks, John

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On 12 Apr 2004 16:49:32 +0100, [email hidden]

wrote in message : said:

Am I right in thinking that:

Quoted message said:

a) I don't have to use a rear light connected to the
dynamo. If I don't, then I can upgrade the bulb in the
front light from 2.4w to 3w with no problems ensuing?
Is it worth doing this - is the difference really
noticeable?

Yes you are right, it doesn't make an immense difference
but there is a difference. Get the Philips lamps from CTC
Shop for preference.

Quoted message said:

b) you can get a switch to turn the Shimano dynamo off
(and save a little drag although not as much as with a
Schmidt), but this is not necessary if you get a front
light that has a switch incorporated -
e.g. the B&W Lumotec Oval Senso Plus?

It comes with a light-sensitive switch which also has a
manual control. Or mine did, anyway, and I didn't order it
as an option.

Quoted message said:

c) the oval senso plus is compatible with the Shimano hub
and is a good one to get?

It's OK but I have had several problems with Lumotec front
lights. The Bisy or SON E6 are better.

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle
after posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

Thanks to all who replied. I'll see what price LBS man comes
back with and then take the plunge. (Although as I've just
been reading all the wheelbuilding stuff on Myra's site, I
might just order the stuff from Germany (cheaper) and have a
go at building it into a wheel myself (optimistic))

Regards

David.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a) I don't have to use a rear light connected to the
dynamo. If I don't, then I can upgrade the bulb in
the front light from 2.4w to 3w

It *has* to be a 3W bulb if there is no rear light, or the
front bulb will have a very short life. The 3W bulb is not
noticeably brighter though.

I have had a 2.4w bulb in an oval light for 2years during
which it must have done 1000miles (on) at least and although
I expect it to blow at any moment it has not. It seems to be
protected from high speed by a widgit(tm). The light is
good. I would replace it with a 3w but in the dark such
differences are not very significant.10w you would notice.

with the light switched off ( whether by hand or automatic
light sensor) the drag really is not noticable. I speak as
one who used to pull the wires off the sturmey archer dynamo
because I couldn't bear the drag when that was off( I
learned only recently on this group that there was indeed
more drag then on that defunct design).

I am interested to see the new Shimano design advert. It
will worry the germans because of the price difference,
though as I said , the drag of the current one off is not a
problem even on long trips.Only the long audax riders would
really be affected.

TerryJ

Quoted message said:

c) the oval senso plus is compatible with the Shimano hub
and is a

Have you a led front and rear already? Keep them and add the
oval plain at about £14.

I have the rear led and oval on the front 2.4w and a front
led. Then you have a backup if one system fails. TerryJ

(Terry) said:

Quoted message said:

c) the oval senso plus is compatible with the Shimano
hub and is a

Have you a led front and rear already? Keep them and add
the oval plain at about £14.

I have the rear led and oval on the front 2.4w and a front
led. Then you have a backup if one system fails. TerryJ

I've ordered the Shimano Hub today (from SJS) with an Oval
senso. LBS man is going to build it into the front wheel of
the new bike - the Tifosi CK7 audax, which I also ordered
today. Got a very good discount off the total price (10%),
too. Ordered it with more heavy duty wheels (basic spec was
MA3 rims, 32H, but I'm having A719 (I think), 36h) due to my
being gravity rich... I also went for the Veloce 10sp
triple, because it's much easier to get these things through
the Board as initial purchases that it is to upgrade them
later ("You want to pay HOW MUCH????"😉.

The bike should be ready in a couple of weeks. Thanks for
all the advice!

David