For all those who do not want to go cycling without their mobile phones, GPS, MP3 players and other electronic devices and do not have access to a stationary charging station comes the "bike mobile" E-WERK. If the compact device is connected to the hub dynamo, the electricity generated by the cyclist's muscle power does not have to be used by only the lighting fixtures but can alternatively be processed by E-WERK. The energy is given off via two included connection cables that tinkerers can equip with plugs suited to their individual applications. Alternatively, the user employs an also included USB cable - the standard connection par excellence that offers compatibility with a wide range of devices - making sure that his electronic equipment does not run out of power while he is on the way. A small stylus that is housed at the bottom of E-WERK is used for adjusting two turning knobs controlling voltage (2.8 to 13.3 V) and current (0.1 to 1,5 A) quickly and variably for all the usual applications. E-WERK provides power of up to 16 W, and all that with idle losses of only 0.03 W at 30 km/h! At a speed of 15 km/h, E-WERK already charges as fast as a standard mains connected charger. An extension cable offers the possibility to tap into E-WERK's energy supply at virtually every spot on the bike. Cable screw connections keep the all links securely water tight. In order to mount the "miniature powerhouse" on the bicycle frame, three differently sized o-rings and cable straps are included.

Some devices, such as the 3GS iPhone, require a constant voltage from the charger. For devices like this, an intermediary or buffer cache battery must be used. The E-WERK will charge the battery, which then charges the device. The Busch & Müller cache battery (available here mid February, part # B&M461A) can be charged by the E-WERK while simultaneously charging the device.

A wide range of connectors are included with the E-WERK, so you should be able to connect whatever device you want.

I'll have photos of the E-WERK mounted on my bike soon. For now, you can download the User Manual.

When you get your E-WERK, it is imperative that you resist the overwhelming desire to throw it on the bike, connect your device to be charged, and head out on a ride. You MUST read the manual first. You must properly set the voltage and amperage for the device to be charged. And if you will be using the E-WERK to charge more than one device, you must not forget to properly re-adjust the voltage and amperage settings for the new device.

The E-WERK is compatible with most devices. One known exception is the Apple iPhone 3GS model, which will only work if its charger has a constant 5 volt output. When the cyclist is starting and stopping, the output of the E-WERK will drop, and some devices including the 3GS model iPhone will shut down. Also, some devices can't operate at all while they are charging. By late January, Busch & Müller will have a cache battery for use with the iPhone 3GS and other devices requiring constant voltage. This will act as a buffer between the E-WERK and the device in question. Use the E-WERK to charge the small cache battery, and the battery will then charge the 3GS or other device at a constant 5 volts. And all this can happen simultaneously. The iPhone 3G is not affected by this issue, so the cache battery is not required for the 3G and earlier iPhones.

Please click this link to download the E-WERK manual. It explains how the E-WERK functions in great detail.

E-WERK Manual PDF

For a list of devices that have been tested with the E-WERK, click this link.

E-WERK Compatibility PDF

The E-WERK sells for $ 200.00

Some devices cannot be charged directly from the E-WERK, but instead must be charged by another battery. This is because they will shut off if the input power drops below a certain level. The cache battery provides a constant power output to your device, so the device will continue to run, and/or charge, while you ride, regardles of your speed. When you stop, the E-WERK is no longer providing output, but the cache battery continues as long as it has a charge.

E-WERK Cache Battery, now in stock, July, 2010. Price $ 93.00

Dealer Inquiries Invited, call: 603 478 0900

A handlebar mount for holding the device you charge with the E-WERK is also available. The Universal Cockpit Adapter mounts easily to the handlebar without tools. Thick cellular rubber coating on all contact areas of the holder cushions shocks and prevents scratches even on the most sensitive surface. The adapter opens gently upon pressing the rear release button. The holder's inclination can be adjusted variably, thereby offering optimal visibility for every kind of display. An opening at the bottom of the adapter provides enough space to connect cables, so that power supply for inserted devices is ensured at all times, e.g. from the revolutionary E-WERK charger.

Universal Cockpit Adapter: $ 26.00

Dealer Inquiries Invited, call: 603 478 0900

Remember that while the E-WERK can be used in all weather, your electronic device might not be weather proof.

If you have a current Busch & Müller battery light, such as the Ixon, Ixon IQ, Ixon Speed, Ixon IQ Speed or Big Bang, you can use the E-WERK to charge its battery. With the Ixon or Ixon IQ, you plug the output of the E-WERK directly into the charging plug on the underside of the Ixon. With the Speed series headlight, you plug the E-WERK's output into one of the battery leads, and the headlight into the other battery lead. If you normally use two Ixon Speed headlights connected to the one battery, you'll only be able to use a single headlight while charging with the E-WERK. See the PDF for all the details.

Which hub dynamo to use?

Most dynamo hubs are designed for use with 700c rims. This includes all of the Shimano hubs, the Sanyo hubs, SRAM and Pedalpower+ models, and all of the various Schmidt dynamo hubs with "28" in the name. In accord with German law, when used with a halogen bulb headlight, the system produces a very bright light by 5mph. Schmidt also makes a variety of hubs for smaller wheels, like the SON20R, SONXS and SONXS100.

It's becoming popular among night riders using 26" or 700c wheels to use hub dynamos designed for small wheels such as the Schmidt SONXS100 or SON20R. When you use one of these hubs with a larger rim, the hub is rotating at a slower rate than it would be if used with a 20" wheel, when riding at any given speed. The slower the hub rotates, the less power it delivers, and the less drag there is. With the new LED headlights, you can still get a very bright light at a low speed, lower than you would with a halogen bulb headlight. This results in slightly lower drag, because the hub is generating less power. But the LEDs need less power than a halogen bulb, so it works.

But what if you want to use the hub's output to charge a battery as well? If you use a hub designed for a 20" but instead use a 700c rim, at any given speed, you'll have less power available for charging a battery, because the hub is rotating at a slower rate than it normally would at that forward speed. It will still work, but the charging time will increase dramatically. So if you're going to use the E-WERK, or think you might in the future, you may want to think twice about how important that small difference in drag is to you. The drag of a SON28 hub with a 700c rim is tiny. So a SON20R hub with a 700c rim is a little less than tiny. Do you care? Should you care? If you know for certain that the E-WERK isn't for you, pick your dynamo hub based on quality, performance and price only.

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This page updated: Monday, July 12, 2010

Peter White Cycles
24 Hall Rd.
Hillsborough, NH 03244
USA
603 478 0900 Phone
603 478 0902 Phax

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