tj Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 HiI remember some 30 years ago we would change the polarity on our, then, old cars, by flashing from the battery to the regulator,, so we could have the 8 track players fitted which needed negative earth.So, today my wife asked me to check over her bicycle, all in order except the lights, wait for it..........they work fine........but only in reverse...I guess an issue with the dynamo? but cannot figure it out........any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Pedal backwards ? Sorry ![:D]Please don't start me on the amount of cyclists without lights - grumpy old woman alert [6]Hope someone can give you a more helpful answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Would it be too simplistic to suggest the dynamo might be on backwards?I agree with Gay about bikes and lights - and pedestrians dressed like extras from the Matrix stepping into the road in pre-dawn rainstorms... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tj Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 HiIt worked last year, it was factory fitted when the bike was new, so not on backwardsvery strange........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Can you be sure no one has tampered with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tj Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 The wires have been broken at sometime, but noone has messed around with it as far as I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Ah![I]In that case - when they were fixed, were they reversed? Does reversing them again solve the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alane Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Are the lights old fashioned bulb types or the newer bright LED specials? If the former then the polarity won't matter so the dynamo is probably faulty if the latter then suspect reversed wiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tj Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 They are the old bulb type.Looks like dump the dynamo setup and buy new! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alane Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 TJBit of a long shot but is the dynamo the "bottle" type that runs against the tyre or a hub? You've probably done this anyway but if it's of the bottle type check that the wheel hasn't been adjusted so that there isn't quite enough pressure to turn the dynamo going forwards but it just catches going backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 There's not much to go wrong in these dynamos. I'm sure you've done this but are all connections clean and secure? There's so little power in these things that even a slightly duff connection will cause problems. Also, if possible, run a short wire from the dynamo to a bulb (which you know is OK) and spin the wheel vigourously! at least that will eliminate a fault in the dynamo and point to the bulbholder/switch being dodgy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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