hi everyone,
so I’m doing most of my commute by bike, and come to really like the new generations of USB-charged bike lights. However, there is still the nuisance of actually charging them as well putting them on/off your bike.
I have been thinking of using magnetic induction for a while. That would (1) allow permanent attaching lights to your bike and (2) take care of the power supply.
Google brought me some interesting guides, and a nice looking kickstarter.
Being a novice for things electrical, I think this is a pretty fun project to learn and do some of the basics skills. And maybe someone here has hands-off experience with this type of project. Or if anyone likes to make this a team project…
Cheers
I’m interested. I’m still using cell-powered clip on lights which I routinely lose or break or forget to buy batteries for. I’ve been thinking of building something right onto my bike that’s cheap, unstealable, and bright.
The Kickstarter version uses Eddie currents, which is damn cool and clever. I recall a commenter on that Kickstarter posting to a blog/page that explained how it worked in more detail. Using magnets is so old skool.
Anyone find a source for the Magnic lights in or shipping to North America?
The Magnic website seems to only list the UK and Germany as sources for the
lights.
Sadly they don’t seem to have a contact link to ask more detailed questions
as it’s not clear if I could use it on my Dahon folding bike.
But if I can it would be a nice replacement for front hub based dynamo on
this bicycle.
On the flip side I’m surprised they haven’t come out with a charging unit so
you can charge your phone while you are cycling. That’d be handy.
The phone charger would be a nice addition, great idea 
Yep, was also surprised to see they don’t have any other retailers.
I find the price a bit steep, 54 euros for either single and 158 for the complete set. On the other hand it has presumably no wear and tear and would last for ages.
I would think that this price can be beat.
It may be easy enough to print and construct a small eddy dyno device. If memory serves me correct, we would need a bridge rectifier or diode and capacitor to smooth out the eddies. A voltage regulator to feed the LEDs and a puppy.
I’d be up for prototyping this with someone at the space.
the pricing is on par with a good quality battery powered set with lithium
rechargable battery pack(s), so from that point of view I’m okay with the
cost.
You can see what I mean here
http://www.mec.ca/shop/cycling-front/50002+50514/?h=50002+50037+10+50513
Sure I’d like the Magnic to be cheaper, but given the hassle free use of not
worrying about batteries, it’s acceptable. I could then replace the current
dynamo with an electric front assist.
My dream would be a well outfitted brompton with electric assist and Magnic
lights. Now that is pricey…
@interlock Thanks for pointing out the detail on the eddy currents. And for your interest in this project, I’m definitely game for teaming up on this project.
Let me know when we can do this :).
@hjsvhsweb Good points, I hear you. and your dream may come true…
I left out the most important parts of course. Some coated wire and permanent magnets. Spinny metal thing for testing would help, but I suppose a bike would do.
@sQuatch I’ll be in Saturday morning around 10 to 12. We can discuss and plan then if you are free.
@interlock Sounds good, I’ll be there for 10.30. I may have a small wheel kicking around or will bring a regular one.
Turns out you CAN get them in North America from Clever Cycles out of
Portland, OR.
http://clevercycles.com/catalogsearch/result/?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=magnic
This is good to know. Comes with quite the markup on price.
Alternatively, I found this danish company. They use the same concept in different way and at a much lower price. They do list US distributors, albeit all on the East Coast.
@interlock I can pick up some magnets. Is neodymium the way to go for this?
Stronger is better if I understand the eddy principal correctly. We can
vary the field by adjusting the distance to the wheel anyways.
Wire for building our receiving coil may be hard to come by, unless there
is some at the space. I may have a transformer I can unwind if we can’t
find any.
Ah ha! Found some great research on a thread. This guy designed a 3d printed stator and rotor that appear to work. His was designed with a small flaw, but we can design better.
And down a little further is the pictures of the actual guts of one. I’ll get to work on some CAD for the printing 
Awesome, that is the perfect find. Some of those links are pretty interesting.
Great source for number of interesting facts. Really helped getting a clearer picture it for me.
As alternative to the mounted magnets, I was thinking of using maybe a ringshaped magnet.
Progress, but no room for a bearing in this design. I figure we can drill it and put it on a bolt for testing 
Next up, stator!
And the stator:
And both for completeness sake:
Printed a prototype last week. Needed some sanding to fit.
Next revision I’ll print the axis rod since using a metal rod could be problematic.