usb lighting

kidcrash · #1 11-20-2009, 07:41 PM

I have been using 12v usb chargers to regulate voltage from the white wire to 5 volts. I use a single diode and 2000+ mfd capacitor to power the regulator and that powers 5mm white and red leds with matching resistors.

Last night I was looking for a 1w high power led so I can use the full 500ma output of the magneto/regulator and stumbled on a 18650 lithium usb charger/power unit with a 1w 65 lumen luxeon torch head that plugs into usb.

I'm think that the buck/boost/charger circuit is smart enough to actually be used in place of a lead acid battery with the added benefit of being able to charge cell phones, mp3 players and other usb devices.

TheE · #2 11-20-2009, 08:33 PM

And that won't hurt engine performance?

kidcrash · #3 11-20-2009, 09:20 PM

no performance lost when using the single diode rectifier. the diode can be grounded with no effect on running, apparently the cdi only uses half of the ac wave itself.

BOREDTrackRacer · #4 11-23-2009, 02:30 AM

any news on this? I've been thinking about doing something similar. perhaps more people can chime in. Do you have a diagram?

kidcrash · #5 11-23-2009, 01:57 PM

Full circuit is pretty straightforward if you are not afraid of a soldering iron and wiring up LEDs.
But anybody can just use the flashlight on a usb extension cord as a bullet light.

Venice Motor Bikes · #6 11-23-2009, 03:22 PM

Can you post something easier to understand for us 'wiring diagram dummies'?

TheE · #7 11-23-2009, 05:49 PM

White wire through diode to positive lead of capacitor (negative of cap to ground). Positive lead of capacitor to 12V in of USB reg. 5V output of USB reg. through resistor to anode of LED. Cathode of LED to ground. Throw a switch in there to turn the lights off.

If your spark plug runs off the negative phase of magneto, should work fine.

george_n_texas · #8 11-23-2009, 07:10 PM

I'm not sure why you need resistor and capacitor in there flashlights don't have em. Otherwise this is a series circuit with 2 sources regulated by the usb adapter (step down transformer). What's Vcc?

kidcrash · #9 11-23-2009, 07:23 PM

Get unregulated DC 5-10v to the red wire from magneto white wire through this.
Capacitor minimum of 16v, larger mf the better and bigger diode the better for least resistance.

kidcrash · #10 11-23-2009, 07:53 PM

And here is the regulator scrounged from a cheap $5 ipod car plug.