Alpha 7 taillights from where?
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URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=7632
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 4:35am
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Topic: Alpha 7 taillights from where?
Posted By: LWaB
Subject: Alpha 7 taillights from where?
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 12:20am
| An Oz friend has purchased a SH Alpha 7. The taillights were burnt out, probably due to excessive voltage. I am heading to Oz shortly. Who can supply replacement taillights, preferably located in the UK? Mr Williams perhaps? |
Replies:
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 3:08am
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John (VeloAds) has ceased trading unfortunately. There are no velomobile dealers in the UK now. I doubt they are bespoke lights though - Best people to ask would probably be Ian Perry, Graham Sparey-Taylor or Fards. ------------- |
Posted By: LWaB
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 7:58am
| Contact details would be good. |
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 8:03am
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They all use this forum occasionally but I’ll share this post to the Facebook velomobile group where they are more likely to see it. ------------- |
Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 8:08am
| You're approved now! |
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 8:09am
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Yanto wrote:Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 8:13am
The Lights are Kellerman Atto, they are combined rear/brake and indicator lights. Available in UK, but scarce, you'll need to google. They are also not cheap. Kellerman advise a nominal voltage of 12v but will handle 13.5v, the problem is the battery with the A7 is nominal 14.4v and when fully charged can be 16v. John won't have any, he wasn't a stockist of spares and just referred everybody to manufacturer. They will probably be available in Australia, Kellerman are an internationally recognised supplier of aftermarket motorcycle lights and more.
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Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 8:23am
| Just another thought, maybe your friend should contact Jan at Velomobileworld and ask if they will supply replacement gratis, as it's a known problem. emails are: info@velomobileworld.com, or mercia@velomobileworld.com. His full name is Mircia Man and he deals with spares and distribution, although he'd probably have to go through the boss for approval. |
Posted By: Kim
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 12:29pm
The obvious bodge for this would be to bung a few diodes (something like a 1N4001, which will drop about 0.6V, so 4 of those) in series to bring the voltage down to spec. A more efficient solution would be a switching regulator...
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Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 11 February 2024 at 11:21pm
The obvious real solution which should have supplied from the start is a correct voltage power supply. T'was always the case prior to the A7 series, and the Lupine 14.4v batteries are hugely expensive.
I stripped the battery down to individual cells and rewired to give 12v nominal with a new BMS. The A7 does have a buck transformer to drop the voltage down to approx' 7v to power the front light in DRL guise. Yes diodes could be used but are a waste of energy, another buck could be used to give constant 12v output but surge power demands eg, when all lights on and then use the horn (a big power user) could blow it.
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Posted By: LWaB
Date Posted: 12 February 2024 at 11:22am
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Thank you folks. Aussie George is chasing up various options to resolve this. Anybody want any smallish HPV thing from Oz? I may be bringing back a couple of fast tyres or suchlike |
Posted By: Yanto
Date Posted: 13 February 2024 at 1:38pm
The only thing I would be interested in is a single 406-40 Scorcher, but won't you be clobbered for import duty and VAT even after paying Oz's VAT equivalent?
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Posted By: RoyMacdonald
Date Posted: 13 February 2024 at 2:46pm
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Hi Ian. I think I have some Scorchers in that size that I could sell. I'll take a look in my bike shed when it's a bit drier and update you. All the best. Roy  |
Posted By: RoyMacdonald
Date Posted: 17 February 2024 at 11:53am
I found them Ian. I braved the mud in the end as it didn't look like it was ever going to stop raining. I have a pair of Scorchers in that size if you are interested? All the best. Roy |