Fwd: Project Update #37: Magnic Light iC - Intelligent Contactless Bicycle Dynamo by Dirk Strothmann
25 views
Skip to first unread message
Jim Baross
unread,
Aug 10, 2017, 7:19:06 PM8/10/17
Reply to author
Sign in to reply to author
Forward
Sign in to forward
Delete
You do not have permission to delete messages in this group
Copy link
Report message
Show original message
Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message
to San Diego Bike Forum
Seems like magic but they really work.
Jim Baross
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Kickstarter<no-r...@kickstarter.com> Date: Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 7:34 AM Subject: Project Update #37: Magnic Light iC - Intelligent Contactless Bicycle Dynamo by Dirk Strothmann To: jimb...@cox.net
(For German text please read the following update)
In 2015 we almost completed our project with delivery of the different rewards. Nevertheless, there are still about 100 backers left who wanted to wait for the version with new lenses according to German traffic rules (STVZO - version) - which still awaits delivery. After long development, we now finally have a lens for Magnic Light with distribution according to STVZO specifications (see more below *).
Lens version for Magnic Light
Nevertheless, the approval for German road traffic depends on the German BMVI (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure) because our technology is not fully covered by the current regulations.
What is the uncertainty?
Simply put, our lamps or generators consume too little power and hence some rules are not applicable: There are rules for light distribution and generator power but noone expected that it would ever be possible to fulfill the rules for light distribution with less than 0,5 Watt - and hence some specifications are just missing. (For more details, see below **). After long discussions via phone and email it is still unclear how the rules for bicycle lighting in Germany are to be applied. The Kraftfahrtbundesamt (responsible for any kind of traffic on German roads) shares our view that there are gaps in the regulations concerning our technology and proposed to consult the BMVI.
When will the remaining lamps be delivered?
As mentioned earlier we can send the current version within a few days to remaining backers who want to have their reward now.
The lenses for the new STVZO version are ready for production and can be produced in larger quantities soon. New housings and new electronics boards require a pre-run of 8-10 weeks - but we have to wait the BMVI decision before we can start production. As an addition to the current version, we would like to add miniature batteries which allow to drive with low lighting (while loading) during the day and use the extra energy in the dark resulting in 60-80 lux over a period of 1-2 hours.
What's new at Magnic Light?
In addition to working on the STVZO version, we will start a new crowdfunding campaign for a miniature version called "Magnic Microlights" in September: Generators and lamps are integrated into the brake pads- which look like standard brake pads and there is no need for any kind of adapters for the Microlights.
The brake pads can be changed separately after wear. Despite the minimum size and minimum weight, the front lamps are suited for sufficient lighting of the road. In order to launch a competitive version with moderate price-level we want to set a very high project goal of one million Euro: Based on high quantities we can offer the basic version at €40 (Front-Rear-Quattro-Brakeshoe Set). For comparison: With lower quantities the price for this version would be at least € 70. As a special incentive we offer the first 1000 sets for only one Euro. If you are interested you can get the exact starting time of our new campaign in our newsletter (you can subscribe on www.magniclight.com now).
What is planned in Malawi?
We are launching a collaboration with an orphans organization in Malawi (one of the poorest countries in the world): Kindle Orphan Outreach. The idea might look daring but we have very good friends from Germany and Malawi who have returned last week to Kindle after one year here in Germany and will help to make this adventure a success story. We plan that young adults do the assembly of the "Magnic Microlight - Malawi Edition" in the rooms of the Kindle Organization. This Malawi version which will be part of the crowdfunding rewards. Economically this is possible because the small size and weight of the components allows to ship goods with moderate cost and the basics are given: Rooms with electricity + internet connection - and the most important: motivated people who will have a new perspective.
For us it will be possible to pay employees much more than the usual incredible cheap salary in Malawi and we will be able to invest in education and infrastructure because the same work is much more expensive in Germany.
Video with Timo and Prisca in our garden two days before they returned to Malawi
There will be several rewards in the Magnic Microlight campaign and backers can decide if they accept to wait longer for the Malawi Edition or if they want to receive the Standard Edition which will be available in small number end of this year.
* What about the STVZO version announced 2016?
Last year we announced the STVZO delivery and were confident to deliver the remaining rewards soon. Although we were able to achieve the required minimum brightness, the angle between the brightest point and the darkest range (antiglare protection for oncoming traffic) was too big. There are certain tolerance values which allow for different interpretions but in the end our lens did not fulfill the required maximum angle of 3.4 degrees (see TA23 STVZO). This is fulfilled by the new lens.
** Why are STVZO rules not fully applicable to Magnic Light?
In Germany bicycle dynamos have to deliver at least 3 watts resp. 1.5 watts (although far less is sufficient to achieve the required light distribution thanks to modern LED technology).
Magnic Lights consume less than 0.3 watts, hence our lights are handled in a different category so that only pure light distribution is considered (similar to battery lights). Since 2013 battery lamps are allowed in Germany, so generators are no longer mandatory and the question is how to treat a compact system of low-level generator and headlights.
One German test institute suggested that our lamps need to deliver the specified light distribution for a standard headlight connected to a dynamo at the reference speed of 15 km/h under "test conditions" or a similar battery lamp. Magnic Lights deliver the prescribed 10 Lux 15 km/h and exceed these clearly at 20 km/h (over 30 lux are possible with 2 Magnic Light front lamps at 35 km/h) - however, a strange supplementary rule says: When using "energy efficient" LEDs (with more than 42 lumens at 440mA), at least 20 lux must be achieved- instead of 10 lux. But Magnic Lights do not work at 440mA (but between 50 and 250mA) and do not produce 20 lux at 15 km/h under all possible conditions. (Nearly) all STVZO approved LED bicycle lights in Germany use LEDs with more than 42 lumen/Watt and many have 10 or 15 Lux (which makes sense but would not be according to the rules). Test institutes are instructed to extract LED data from the manufacturer's LED data sheets but not to check these values...(For more details see the German version of this update). One test institute told us, that we can decide whether our lamps should be tested for 10 or 20 lux - and the "42 lumen rule" would not be subject of their test.
We have confronted the Kraftfahrtbundesamt with this unsatisfacory situation and they share our view. They have contacted the German BMVI and now we need to wait for their answer if STVZO approval can be given only based on the light distribution (which obviously would make sense)- without considering performance data of generators or LEDs.
Like
