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I want to improve my practical understanding of multiple LED use, the value of LED arrays, the use of various current 'amplifiers' (as used in some of Martin's circuits) and so on. I'm hoping that the little rig will make such experimentation much easier! For instance I've recently got hold of 3 Noctigon triple boards with red XP-Es and want to satisfy myself what configuration will work best as a dynamo tail light, maybe in combination with my favourite Phillips front light. ;-)
I also want to revisit a 6-led light (2 x triples) I built a few of years ago. I've never really used it as I found I just didn't go fast enough to get it to 'fire up' in any useful manner. A redesign is obviously needed!
Sam
Excellent! There's nothing like running some experiments to really prove or disprove whether something will work.
If you have a few meters, I'd suggest measuring the voltage and current out of the dynamo, as well as the frequency of the dynamo voltage. You'll be able to tell how much power the dynamo can deliver to the load at different speeds.
Instead of measuring the dynamo frequency, it might be easier to a bike speedometer to monitor dynamo speed.
What will you be using as a figure of merit to compare the different light configurations? Will you be able to measure the light output, or will it be sufficient to measure the power delivered to the light?
Or maybe use switches to quickly run comparisons between the lights??
Sounds like fun. Be sure to document everything and take plenty of photos. We'll be expecting a full report.