Charging your mobile phone while cycling – is that possible?

The energy you generate while cycling is enough to charge your mobile phone. You just have to harness it.

Connecting a mobile phone charger to a dynamo – these are the models

If you are going on a long bike ride and want to use your mobile phone for navigation, it is handy if you can charge the device while riding. To do this, your bike needs a USB connection that is supplied with power via the dynamo. This is made possible by a charge controller that is connected between the dynamo and the mobile phone and converts the current appropriately. There are various options and providers for this.

• The cheapest is the “Kemo bicycle dynamo charge regulator”, which costs about 30 euros. It is simply connected between the dynamo and the bicycle lamp. However, it can unfortunately only charge the mobile phone or operate the bicycle lamp.
• The charge controller “USB Werk für Nabendynamo von Busch und Müller” is very small for about 65 euros and can therefore be easily attached to any bicycle. Also available here are suitable storage units and cable systems with which you can connect several devices.

• The NC-17 Connect Appcon 3000 offers more convenience. For the price of around 280 euros, you get a super small and lightweight charge controller that you can also use via Bluetooth to track your athletic performance such as altitude, incline and distance. In addition, you can dismantle the device and use it as a power bank after your ride.
• Alternatively, you can of course also charge your mobile phone on the road with a powerbank or battery case. When the weather is nice, models that are charged by the sun via solar cells are a good choice.

To connect the charge regulator

Whichever unit you choose, they all need to be fitted to the bike before use.

• First attach the charge controller to your bike. Depending on the model, the unit is attached to the frame of your bicycle either with clamps or cable ties.
• Now you need to connect the charge controller to the dynamo. Some charge controllers have a plug for this that fits exactly to the connection of most hub dynamos.
• Finally, you should secure all cables to the frame of your bicycle so that they cannot get anywhere inside the wheel. It is best to use cable ties for this. With more expensive charge controllers, the appropriate fastening material is included in the delivery.
• If you are unsure about connecting the charge controller to your dynamo, you should seek the help of a qualified bicycle mechanic.
• In order to be able to use your mobile phone for navigation during your tour and charge it at the same time, you should also fit a mobile phone holder for the bicycle.