Star/O light-emitting diodes with integrated optics. The Luxeons are
the 1 watt size arranged in series pairs wired inverse parallel. Here's
the schematic:
For many years I relied on an old Union headlight powered by an even older Soubitez bottom-bracket generator. So long as I didn't use it much it was just fine. Lately, however, nocturnal bicycle rides have become the norm on my commute home and better light became a priority. Among bicycle generators nobody offers more watts than the Soubitez, but theledlight offered a ray of hope [sorry, couldn't resist] in the form of Luxeon's Star/O integrated power LED and collimator.
[update 6/2018: Luxeon has discontinued the Star/O series, but roughly equivalent devices can be found here . Note that the newer LEDs offer much superior power handling and apparently more lumens per watt. The Soubitez roller dynamo developed a crack in the plastic bracket which holds the axle. It was replaced with a Shimano DH-3N72 hub dynamo, available on Amazon for less than $90. In terms of quietness it's a huge improvement. However, the working frequency is about 6 times lower than the Soubitez. As a result there is much more flicker. As a daytime running light it's probably good, several folks have commented, with the least favorable being "Disco light!". At night the flicker becomes subdued at about 10 mph but is still noticeable. For my part I'd prefer less flicker at night but as (now) a purely recreational rider night performance isn't very important.]
[added 20210418] The inverse parallel circuit is simple, cheap and fairly efficient. It's not very good at extracting maximum power from the hub dynamo at higher speeds, nor extracting the most usable power at low speeds. For that a much more complex circuit is needed, examples of which are described in this very excellent article.
Here are some illustrations of my very simple headlight setup using Luxeon
Star/O light-emitting diodes with integrated optics. The Luxeons are
the 1 watt size arranged in series pairs wired inverse parallel. Here's
the schematic:
The
mounting frame is just a piece of aluminum carpet tack strip chosen from the
local hardware store. An aluminum channel with the LED's tucked inside would be
better to protect the diodes. The frame provides both a heatsink and an
adjustable mount: The LED's have some collimation and the soft metal support
can be bent to adjust the light pattern. It helps to give the two outermost
LED's a bit of upward tilt to compensate for steering stem rake in turns.
One question apt to come up is "Why four LEDs?"
After all, the generator is rated at only three watts, a single 3 watt LED is much cheaper than four one-watters.
The simplest answer is efficiency; the generator makes AC, a single LED will use only half the current unless there's a rectifier, but a full-wave rectifier will waste nearly a volt and a half. Seemingly much better to use two LEDs in inverse parallel, so each one takes a half cycle. No rectifier loss this way. But, there's another fly in the ointment. Perhaps better to say, a bug in the lampshade 8-) Actually, a huge moth, casting a large shadow.
The problem is impedance matching. The generator is designed to drive a load that takes about half an amp at six volts around normal riding speed, say 10 mph. The Luxeon LEDs take only slightly over three volts at one-third of an amp. Splitting the current between two LEDs uses all the current but wastes nearly half the generator's voltage capability.
Putting two LEDs in series pairs comes much closer to the load the generator is designed for and roughly doubles the light output. The AC voltage is clamped at 7.2-7.4 volts, I haven't measured the AC current but Andreas Oehler reports 580 mA for a 6v 3w dynamo. Split between the two diode strings that's well within the 350 mA continuous rating for one watt Luxeons.
But, we've gone from a $20 light to a $60 light. Is it worthwhile? In an environment without competing lights, yes, without question. For the extra light I'll gladly pay and it is useful in total darkness. Riding in traffic is a somewhat different problem. No 3 watt generator light can compete with dazzle caused by streetlights and car headlights. The lack of a standlight is a serious handicap.
Poke-in-the-eye battery lights definitely have their uses.
A DC system allows use of a capacitor (or battery, if the voltages work out right) to store energy and run the light when the bike is stopped or running slowly, as when picking one's way around an uncertain corner.
One could put capacitors in parallel with the two grounded LEDs, reasoning that they'd store a little extra energy to keep at least those two glowing dimly at standstill. Unfortunately this will double the reverse voltage on the top two LEDs, which is probably not good for them.
A dual-mode system is a plausible compromise; efficient AC for forward light, with regulated DC for capacitor or battery backed tail- and sidelights. The wiring will be a bit more complex, but all progress has a price.
On balance the quad Luxeon configuration is an improvement over a traditional three (actually 2.4) watt halogen bicycle headlight. Whether it can compete with a rectified single-LED setup using a battery for standlight ability is yet to be determined.
One very good puzzle is the performance limits on generators. The 6 volt 3 watt standard is very old, dating from the days when Alnico was the ultimate magnet material and tungsten lamps were the ultimate light source.
Modern permanent magnets and magnetic alloys are much better. Light emitting diodes are more efficient than tungsten filaments. Their forward voltage-current characteristic is much easier to match to an inductive driver.
The light source folks have moved and raised the bar of normal performance. Maybe it's time the generator folks took notice and responded. A three-watt output is pitifully feeble. Especially when compared to the hundred watts of a resting human.
May I have a little more power, please?
bob prohaska