New dynamo (or battery) powered 2w regulated bicycle light

[PeLu]

I recently learned that Peter White has some decent beamshots

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/inoled.asp

Here in the U.S., the halogen MR-11 or MR-16 lights are much more common than dynamo lights.

I know, but the number of people using bicycles in the US is quite low and it is only a small percentage of all bicyclists in the world. This is what I meant it it should not been understood to contain any insult.
BTW, here in central Europe you have to have (certified) lights on your bicycle if you use them in publicity. No matter if you are riding at daylight or not. Only a few exceptions for special racing bicycles.
This makes a quite big market.

 

[yellow]

Light power in Germany is FIXED on these low watts. Thats why these great 12 V generator systems have great problems in getting allowed.

Also dont mix countrys up!
The only one where You will get problems for using a non certified light is Germany.
These pseudo-officials there get absolutely crazy when given any supplemental rights (over the normal inhabitant). Even when not, these guys generally love to insist on their "I AM RIGHT" point of view, even when this surely will lead them to anger and wasted time. (so much for this ;-) ).
Dont know what might happen in any other country in Europe, but even here at us in Austria (usually pretty close to the Germans) the chances of getting more than a look from a cop for using any homemade light on a bike are pretty low (and in italy, france or spain, considering the optics of cars, there does not seem to be anyone who cares whatever).

Dunno what might happen in case of an accident, though.

Bike Generators usually happen to offer current, not voltage. Usually about 0.5 A. So when You use one without regulation, it will light up a 12V 5 W bulb. Not at low speed, but from medium on You go.
how to check: measure current without load. If voltage stays at a low level from low to med. speed on, output is cut in some way.
If You have a cheap generator, there micht be 2 z-diodes inside, mounted antiparallel. Cut them out or kill them by burning them out --> get power from the machine and light up whatever.
(mine just happens to push 2 Lux V in series at 900 mA, but that is a modified lightspin) (on the fly measure, light not finished yet)

 

[PeLu]

Unfortunately I cannot see any possibility to open the light without damage. It is completely sealed and I may have to pull the front lens out (how ever I will manage that).
Electrical behaviour is somewhat strange, but I have no exact data now.
The newest version comes with rubber plugs for an unused rear light socket.