I've just bought a set of SKS P50 mudguards for my hybrid. I'm pleased with them overall. They look good and I suspect the durability claims might be valid. However, the rear has a light unit that I can't fathom out. I can find neither an easy way to get at the innards nor a switch, so I assume it's meant to be powered by an external source (dynamo or power pack). That said, there doesn't seem to be a way to run wires to the light without ruining the look of the mudguard.
So, how are you supposed to use this light, and if externally-powered how are you supposed to run the cables?
I've just bought a set of SKS P50 mudguards for my hybrid. I'm pleased with them overall. They look good and I suspect the durability claims might be valid. However, the rear has a light unit that I can't fathom out. I can find neither an easy way to get at the innards nor a switch, so I assume it's meant to be powered by an external source (dynamo or power pack). That said, there doesn't seem to be a way to run wires to the light without ruining the look of the mudguard.
Quoted message said:
So, how are you supposed to use this light, and if externally-powered how are you supposed to run the cables?
The mudguard is a plastic/aluminium laminate, with the central aluminium strip electrically insulated from the sides. You can run current through the aluminium layer to the bulb. I forget exactly how the contacts are arranged. The lamp is intended to be driven by a dynamo, but of course you could rig up a battery system if you prefer, or simply ignore it. There aren't any innards as such. Pop off the red lamp cover, and you'll find just a bulb underneath.
"James Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:[email hidden]:
Quoted message said:
The mudguard is a plastic/aluminium laminate, with the central aluminium strip electrically insulated from the sides. You can run current through the aluminium layer to the bulb. I forget exactly how the contacts are arranged. The lamp is intended to be driven by a dynamo, but of course you could rig up a battery system if you prefer, or simply ignore it. There aren't any innards as such. Pop off the red lamp cover, and you'll find just a bulb underneath.
Many thanks. I'm gobsmacked by such a neat idea as using the mudguard itself as the "cable". Makes me want to investigate having my front wheel rebuilt with a dynohub just to use it <grin>
So, how are you supposed to use this light, and if externally-powered how are you supposed to run the cables?
The mudguard is a plastic/aluminium laminate, with the central aluminium strip electrically insulated from the sides. You can run current through the aluminium layer to the bulb.
Quoted message said:
I forget exactly how the contacts are arranged.
GOOD! It involves dissimilar metals*) and will corrode soon. Use wire instead, and you might have a chance that the light will keep on working.
Open the light and you'll probably find a brass spring or something you can feed the wire in. The exithole for the wire is probably in the base
*) as recommended in the Universal Cycle Design Guide -- --- Marten Gerritsen
M-gineering <[email hidden]> writed in news:[email hidden]:
Quoted message said:
James Thomson said:
Quoted message said:
So, how are you supposed to use this light, and if externally-powered how are you supposed to run the cables?
The mudguard is a plastic/aluminium laminate, with the central aluminium strip electrically insulated from the sides. You can run current through the aluminium layer to the bulb.
Quoted message said:
I forget exactly how the contacts are arranged.
GOOD! It involves dissimilar metals*) and will corrode soon. Use wire instead, and you might have a chance that the light will keep on working.
Open the light and you'll probably find a brass spring or something you can feed the wire in. The exithole for the wire is probably in the base
*) as recommended in the Universal Cycle Design Guide
Which is exactly how I have used these for the last 25+ years. I've never been able to get the inbuilt conductors to work reliably.
I've just bought a set of SKS P50 mudguards for my hybrid. I'm pleased with them overall. They look good and I suspect the durability claims might be valid. However, the rear has a light unit that I can't fathom out. I can find neither an easy way to get at the innards nor a switch, so I assume it's meant to be powered by an external source (dynamo or power pack). That said, there doesn't seem to be a way to run wires to the light without ruining the look of the mudguard.
So, how are you supposed to use this light, and if externally-powered how are you supposed to run the cables?
TIA
Glad someone else couldn't fathom it out.We have one on the tandem.Even the LBS who built it didn't know.
