BICYCLE DYNAMO-GENERATORS: BRIGHTER LED BULB CONVERSION

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The unique NL412, NL432, and NL437R LED dynamo bulbs are designed to produce much brighter lights to the front and rear, powered by a bicycle dynamo, hub generator, or Dynohub. They illuminate as soon as the bike begins to move, and reach full brightness at a lower speed than filament bulbs.

NL412 and NL432 headlight bulbs produce pure daylight white light for enhanced visibility, and at 120 lumens, they are much brighter than the 2.4W, 35 lumens halogen bulbs typically used in dynamo headlights. 

The tail bulbs, NL437R are very bright, like a fog light for extra protection in bad weather. NL437R are around 30 x brighter than standard dynamo tail bulbs (3 - 4 lumens), and produce red light for the highest efficiency through a red cover lens. They can also be used with a clear lens, and the "universal" light output fills cover lenses including the sides.

MORE LIGHTS: There is the possibility of operating additional lights. A standard 3W dynamo-generator can power three Nicelite bulbs. 2.4W generators, which normally power just one halogen headlight, can supply two brighter Nicelite bulbs. Additional information below.

Nicelite bulbs, with their high lumens output, offer an assured, convenient and lower cost alternative to replacing dynamo lights with LED units. Nicelite bulbs will upgrade 6V dynamo lighting sets of all ages, from modern right back to classic vintage units.

Bulbs have an internal power controller giving constant brightness from a low speed upwards, and reliable protection against over-voltage in case a regulator mal-functions or is not fitted.

REGULATOR: An external regulator may be required - please check the bullet points (below) for your system. Only one regulator is required to control the voltage of the entire dynamo/generator circuit.

BATTERY (NON DYNAMO) LIGHTS: If your lights are powered by a battery or power supply only, please see our additional range of Nicelite bulbs in our "other items". For instance NL322 has a similar brightness to NL412 (in this item), with the advantage of a wider 1.5V to 9V voltage range for the most efficient and convenient use with a battery.

IF BUYING MORE THAN ONE BULB CODE, IF POSSIBLE PLEASE ADD THEM TO YOUR BASKET AND CHECK THEM ALL OUT TOGETHER.

There is only one postage cost per order. Any excess postage will be refunded on the day of dispatch.

In the image selections, the group of four photographs shows Nicelite headlight beams in a snow covered wood. The tail light illustrates the high brightness of the Nicelite NL437R bulb. The terrain in the top left picture is not level, with a ditch followed by a bank.

STANDLIGHT CONVERSION: Nicelite LED dynamo bulbs can be used with a simple capacitor circuit SL-SC to keep the lights operating when the bicycle stops: http://www.reflectalite.com/circuits.html  SL-SC also removes any strobing that might be experienced at low speed with a hub generator.

1. TYRE DRIVEN DYNAMOS AND HUB GENERATORS

Standard 6V 3W dynamos and hub generators can power 1, 2 or 3 Nicelite dynamo bulbs. For instance, rather than just one headlight, it is possible to have 2 headlights (NL412 or NL432) with a combined brightness of 220-260 lumens from walking speed, providing more light than two 6W halogen headlights, as well as an equally powerful, extremely bright tail light (NL437R).

With 2 headlights, one could be switched and set as a horizontal "main" beam, and the other dipped to illuminate the more immediate area. This could be very useful when riding in dark, unlit areas, particularly a winding country road or track with sudden undulations.

With a hub generator or low drag dynamo, Nicelite bulbs can be operated at all times, day and night for the extra safety factor, as Nicelite bulbs take a very long time to wear out (over 30,000 hours of run-time).

LOW SPEED STROBING: Hub generators will produce a strobing light at low speeds. Above around 7.5mph (12kph) the light merges into a continuous beam. Small wheel bikes reach a steady beam at lower speed. For most cyclists this has proved acceptable, as a steady, bright light is achieved within two seconds, at below normal cruising speed. Tyre driven dynamos produce a steady beam from a very low speed. 

REGULATORS: Regulation of the circuit is essential, and may require an EXTERNAL REGULATOR. Please check the 3 bullet points, below.

• HUB GENERATORS: An XGEN5 regulator is advised. The only exception is with a Schmidt headlight which will have a robust regulator. Feedback indicates that most factory fitted regulators may fail with the high output of some hub generators. 
  
  
• TYRE DRIVEN HALOGEN DYNAMO SYSTEMS: An external regulator is normally not required on halogen dynamo systems originally supplied with a push-in halogen headlamp bulb. There is usually a voltage regulator in the headlamp, typically a small rod with a wire from each end, or a circuit board.
  A light with an LED standlight function (capacitor back-up) will also have a regulator.
  
  
• TYRE DRIVEN NON-HALOGEN AND VINTAGE DYNAMO SYSTEMS: An external regulator is required on non-halogen systems, including all headlamps with a screw cap bulb, UNLESS there is a light with an LED standlight function (capacitor back-up), which will already have a regulator.

XGEN and XGEN5 Regulators are supplied as a complete kit with instructions. A pair of pliers is required to install XGEN and XGEN5.

2. STURMEY ARCHER DYNOHUB

Two Nicelite LED dynamo bulbs can be illuminated, eg one headlight (NL431 for original headlights, or NL412 for a modern replacement) and one very bright tail light (NL437R), each with an output between 110-120 lumens, which compares extremely well to the best halogen headlight upgrade at 24 lumens, and a standard dynamo tail bulb at 3 to 4 lumens.

STROBING: Nicelite bulbs with a Dynohub are a radical improvement over filament bulbs. There is strobing of the lights up to quite a high speed, which provides greater visibility in towns and cities, day and night. Strobing is due to the lower number of magnetic poles compared with modern hub generators which produce strobing at low speeds only. There is more information, including how to prevent strobing and add a standlight unit here: http://www.reflectalite.com/LEDpage.html 

REGULATOR: The circuit is likely to require an external regulator. Please check the bullet point, below.

• An XGEN2 regulator is required, unless there is a modern headlight with a regulator, or a light with an LED standlight (capacitor back-up) function. A voltage regulator in the headlamp is typically a small rod with a wire from each end, or a circuit board.

XGEN2 Regulators are supplied as a complete item with simple instructions.

INITIAL TEST RIDE FOR ALL SYSTEMS: When Nicelite LED dynamo bulbs are first fitted, the bike should be taken on a safe test ride at cruising speed for about 10 minutes to check whether the LED bulb or bulbs remain at full brightness. If dimming occurs (usually within 2 minutes) it indicates that LED protection has detected over-voltage, and an external voltage regulator must be added. The dimming is temporary and the bulbs will light fully again when the voltage reduces to 6V or less. Once the voltage is limited by a regulator, the bulbs will work constantly. This is part of the instructions supplied on the rear of the bulb blister cards.

NL412, NL432 and NL437R are primarily for use with bicycle dynamos and hub generators which produce alternating current (AC), and they light as soon as the bike begins to move. They can seamlessly switch from AC to DC power, such as from a standlight unit.

OTHER NICELITE BULBS: There is a range of Nicelite bulbs for battery bicycle lights and flashlights. Please see our our "other items" for the item with six bulbs on a green background.

CAUTION: HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE LED WHEN ILLUMINATED. DISCONNECT OR REMOVE ANY POWER SUPPLY BEFORE CHANGING A BULB.