The Fahrradzukunft magazine published a highly interesting review about dynohub chargers conducted by dynohub manufacturer Schmidt and others. The article was published in German language and unfortunately does not cover my Jawetec charger due to its unavailability. However, there are several interesting devices including the pedalpower+ stuff (check my link bar for more information on it!).
Update: the Fahrradzukunft magazine recently published part II of the USB charger article with some more very interesting devices and updates.

A short note on this blog: Most likely I will continue writing this blog at slow rate in German language. Xtracycle released several very interesting new addons and pannier kits and things are going on, but it is not such a big hype anymore. I believe it is worth of talking about in our native language, although big dummy cargo bicycles are still not a big issue here. At least, people realize the concept is useful, and I still love its great versatility and riding style.

The image shows my new ensemble of USB gadgets, the mobile power supply chain I will be using for further touring. Located uppermost is the JaWeTec bikecharger, that I had used formerly. See my previous posts about this topic. The bikecharger is connected to the dynohub und will create constant DC of 5V at its USB-out which is wired to DC-in of the new lightweighted SwissBatteries PowerTank M. This basically is some sort of optimized rechargable LiPo battery pack with some electronic circuit. The PowerTank will on the other hand permanently feed the Garmin GPS (without internal batteries) at its USB-out. This works, but I need to test whether the bikecharger will be able to keep up enough power level to ensure continuous operation of the GPS in the long run.

Today the installation of Medion MD96050 (PNA465) navigation device was finished and tested. The Medion PNA is connected to the JaWeTec USB charger (see previous post) and powered through the dynamo hub (6V/3W). It works well. Charging starts at riding speed of 7 km/h. When lights are switched on additionally, it starts charging at 12 km/h. USB charger can be switched off easily. The PNA together with the USB charger can quickly be removed by unplugging power supply cable.

When testing the whole arrangement rolling up and down our street an hour ago, a bicycle traveller with lots of baggage and a bob trailer came along and we started talking about bicycles. He turned out to be the owner of the well known bakfiets cargobike distributor Beer Transport Fietsen in Den Haag. Due to my previous web research concerning big dummy related stuff I knew the shop. It was very nice to meet you and your family here. Have a good trip and lots of sunny rides!

Today I received the JaWeTec USB charger for dynamo hubs as like SON or Shimano DH-3D71 or Alfine or similar. This is a small box with an ordinary USB type A connector which provides 5V of direct current and 500mA, which should be sufficient to feed any USB charged devices according to USB specification. It is protected against overvoltage up to 50km/h as to manufacturers documentation and may switch off automatically at extreme voltage or heat. The little box has got 50g in weight approximately and can easily be removed from bicycle by unplugging its connector in the dynamo cable. The box unfortunately is not water resistant. I will attach it at downside of my Medion PNA and put the complete unit into some transparent plastic bag.


The chargers power supply cables had to be soldered to the original cables of my edelux headlight. I opened the protective coating around the dynamo connectors, made a soldering joint for each of the two wires and put new shrink hose around each connector. The charger cable runs along the speedo cable up to the handlebar where it can be connected to the box which will be installed together with the navigation device is mounted.

Update: unfortunately the Jawetec charger is no longer available as to my knowledge.