The Companion Instruction Manual

This is a constantly updated post with regards on how to get the most of your Companion LED light and charger.

YouTube Video with ALL details is (available here)

First of all, thank you for purchasing a product from a small maker. In this instruction manual I have condensed some tips and ticks on how to get the most out of The Companion.

-Nikola

What is in the Box?

The Companion light with integrated USB-C charger with:
- Power connector (male) ~100mm length
- Remote control connector (female) ~100mm length
Dynamo cable (thick) with power connector (female) ~1000mm length
Remote control with cable ~310mm length
Remote control handlebar mount and mounting rings

General features

Overvoltage Protection
Dimmable Front Light (Dynamo or Internal Battery Powered)
Internal Buffer Battery
Indicator Ring
Rear Light Connection
USB-C output

Connecting/Wiring The Companion

The Companion uses industry standard connectors for easy use and interchangeability. They are fully weather sealed and due to the seals might require some force to be pulled apart. DO NOT PULL ON THE CABLES DIRECTLY, but on the connectors themselves! Spare cables, splitters/junction boxes, etc. are available here.

To Dynamo

The included long and thicker female cable goes to your dynamo, the type of connection is specific to your dynamo system. For any questions please refer to this page (LINK). Some soldering/wire stripping and/or cutting will most likely be required. I can pre-solder the needed connections, however, the disadvantage is that you must be sure of the cable length required. =)

The Companion

The male cable is connected to power/dynamo.

The female is connected to the remote control button.

Remote control is placed on your handlebars with suitable O rings 2 sizes to fit ost setups are included.

For use under a front rack, on long cargo bikes, etc, you might need an extension cable available here.

Rear Light Connection

The Companion light connection provides DC voltage and takes a standard 1.35/1.4mm barrel connector. Tip is positive/sleeve is Negative/Ground. Pre soldered cables in ~1400mm length are available here.

Most rear lights designed for 6V dynamo use should work, however, as I have not tested all of them, compatibility is not 100% guaranteed. High power e-bike lights are NOT supported.

Care and Feeding

The Companion is weather proof and should withstand outdoor conditions as you would expect from a product designed to be used on bikes, however, it should not be washed with strong jets of water, especially pointing directly to the USB-C port. If some water gets in the USB-c port you can blow it off and/or carefully clean it with a paper towel. Keep something always plugged in or use a USB-C rubber cover that can be found in the smartphone accessory section in Amazon, etc. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL CONTAINING cleaning products to clean the optics. They will fog, crack and quite possibly shatter. Ask me how I know!

Charging External Devices

The Companion has an USB-C port that is equipped with an internal 1600mAh buffer battery which allows the USB-C port (and charging of connected devices) to remain uninterrupted at varying (low) speeds and even when stopped. The real light connection is always on for safety and better visibility even during the day.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a device (GPS, bike computer, smartphone, etc.) connected to the USB-C port and are running the lights on Dynamo mode (please see the chart below), it is possible to deplete the 1600mAh buffer battery, since the dynamo is not replenishing the lost charge. Afterwards you are faced with the limited power output of all modern dynamos, and charging might be at a reduced rate. Therefore I highly advise you if you have to charge something on the USB-c port to always have The Companion on Battery+Charge (Low or Medium) or Charge modes.

Functional Modes

The Companion uses a single button to control. Thick gloves and cold weather and fatigue are a huge thing in my experience so I wanted to keep it simple. Each ‘click’ goes to the next line in the chart (please see below) and then ‘rolls back over’ to the beginning.

The rear light connector is surrounded by a clear acrylic/plastic ring that lights up to indicate the ‘state’ of The Companion.

State	Headlight LED	Internal Battery Charger	Indicator Ring	Rear Light
Battery+Charge DEFAULT STATE	Battery (Low)	ON	Green (Full)/Orange (Charging)	On (Battery)
	Battery (Medium)	ON	Green (Full)/Orange (Charging)	On (Battery)
	Battery (High)	ON	Green (Full)/Orange (Charging)	On (Battery)
Dynamo	Dynamo (Low)	*OFF*	Green*	On (Dynamo)
	Dynamo (Medium)	*OFF*	Green*	On (Dynamo)
	Dynamo (High)	*OFF*	Green*	On (Dynamo)
Charge	OFF	ON	Green (Full)/Orange (Charging)	On (Dynamo)

*At low speeds (below 7kph/5mph) Indicator Ring (green) might switch off and not restart when you are moving faster. THIS IS NORMAL.

Low Battery Indication

The Indicator ring will light up (Blink) Red when the internal battery is low/almost empty. This can happen when:

You are charging devices when stopped/not moving
Charging very large consumers (ie powerbanks) while going slow
Charging devices while running the front light on Dynamo Mode (Charger OFF)

This is a warning before it will reset and go automatically to Battery+Charge. DISCONNECT ANY DEVICES and let the internal battery charge for at least 30min while going ~15kph or faster. IF you re just going to store The Companion, couple of minutes of riding should be enough to keep the internal buffer sufficiently charged to run the internal electronics.

FAQ

Q. What is the best way to use The Companion?

A. The general idea when creating the Companion was to use the buffer battery and charging circuit to charge everything needed during the day in the most convenient way possible (without device resets/low power/insufficient charging current warnings) so that full power is available for running the lights at night with the buffer available – ‘just in case’ so that you can run the lights AND charge at the same time. I specifically designed the LED circuit that with nothing connected to the USB-C port and the lights full power you are running 1:1 (you take what you put in) from 12kph/8mph, so that the flicker associated with dynamo lights is eliminated when you use the internal battery to power the front light.

Some typical use scenarios ca be found below:

On multi day trips, Run it on Charge mode while having any devices (GPS, smartphone, powerbank, etc.) that require charging, connected to the USB port. If you run out devices to charge, let the internal battery top up (Indicator Ring Green). If you need Lights it is advisable to use them on Low/Medium intensity to leave sufficient power for the USB-c port
During randonneering overnight events, you can leave your devices charged at controls (~30min) while you are getting something to eat

Q. The Companion is making buzzing sounds at high speed (when on Dynamo Low and when the internal battery is full/Indicator Ring Green)?

A. This is normal. This is the sound of the Overvoltage protection. This is ELECTRICAL noise and there is NO DAMAGE to any components (dynamo, cables, lights, etc). If it is bothering you, run the light on Dynamo (Medium) and/or Run it on Charge mode and charge some devices by using the USB-C port. Don’t forget to top up the internal battery before night falls. =).

Q. The Companion goes into Battery Light (Low) and Charging mode by itself!!! WHY?????

This means the internal battery is getting to very low levels (and there is not enough buffer charge to sustain normal operation AND charging at the same time); the internal electronics restart. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE AND NORMAL. DISCONNECT ANY DEVICES connected to the USB-C port and leave the internal battery to charge. If you want to run lights as well, due to the efficient LED circuit and modern LEDs you can still have the lights on (Low and Medium) while topping up the internal buffer battery. Dynamo power is limited and in some conditions (low speed, loaded touring up mountain passes, etc. and charging power hungry devices such as powerbanks) the buffer might not be enough; in this case it is best to let it charge for at least 30min while going ~15kph. It takes ~1.5h to reach 80% capacity and ~2h to full.

Q. Can I power The Companion from anything else other than dynamo (such as an external power bank)?

A. The Companion can only be powered by alternating current (AC) as provided by bicycle dynamos. DC power sources are not supported.

Q. Can I use the Companion upside down/sideways/etc.?

A. The Companion uses asymmetric optics that meet German StVZO specifications (similar to car headlights). Therefore there is a ‘correct’ orientation (please see attached picture). If you change bikes/setups, you can change the ‘orientation.’ By carefully unscrewing the housing (do NOT let the electronics twist!!!), taking out the electronics and rotating them to your desired orientation. A detailed video will be available here (LINK).

Q. There are some oily stains around the housing? Is The Companion British (and leaking) oil?

A. I use some thin oil to keep the weather seals supple and as such some oil might seep around the housing. You can wipe it away with a soft cloth. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL near the lens!!!

Q. The Companion is unresponsive (after multiple resets). HELP ME!?!?!

A: If the internal battery is deeply discharged and cannot be revived you will have to replace it. Hold the optics (do NOT let them twist) and carefully unscrew the housing open. The Companion takes a standard 18350 (350mm length!!!) lithium ion cell. The positive terminal is towards the lens (there is reverse battery protection in case you insert the battery the wrong way in. Detailed video on how to replace the internal battery can be found here (LINK). Spare/replacement 1600mAh batteries can be purchased here.