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Home > Archive > Alternative Power sources > September 2005 > newbie
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| skittles 2005-09-19, 9:21 pm |
| looking for instructions on how to build a human powered (bike, hand crank,
pedal crank,) battery charger. I would like to be able to power small
household items such as a notebook computer etc...
looking for specifics ( someone that has actually built one or knows exactly
how to build one)
type of motor or alternator
type of battery (marine or car)
brackets ( model numbers)
belt or chain (size)
inverter size in watts
thanks
..
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| Arnold Walker 2005-09-20, 1:21 am |
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"skittles" <skittles123@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:s_mdnTSxNazsybLeRVn-1g@adelphia.com...
> looking for instructions on how to build a human powered (bike, hand
crank,
> pedal crank,) battery charger. I would like to be able to power small
> household items such as a notebook computer etc...
>
>
> looking for specifics ( someone that has actually built one or knows
exactly
> how to build one)
> type of motor or alternator
> type of battery (marine or car)
> brackets ( model numbers)
> belt or chain (size)
> inverter size in watts
>
>
> thanks
Maybe you should upgrade to that large mule powered.
Unless you are talking about recharging a flashlight or radio.
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| GeekBoy 2005-09-20, 5:21 pm |
| I saw a story about a guy who used one of those exercise bikes and put a
generator on it to power the TV in the house. If the kids wanted to watch it
they had to peddle so they would get exercise.
"skittles" <skittles123@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:s_mdnTSxNazsybLeRVn-1g@adelphia.com...
> looking for instructions on how to build a human powered (bike, hand
> crank,
> pedal crank,) battery charger. I would like to be able to power small
> household items such as a notebook computer etc...
>
>
> looking for specifics ( someone that has actually built one or knows
> exactly
> how to build one)
> type of motor or alternator
> type of battery (marine or car)
> brackets ( model numbers)
> belt or chain (size)
> inverter size in watts
>
>
> thanks
>
>
>
>
>
>
> .
>
>
>
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| skittles 2005-09-20, 5:21 pm |
|
found this on good image search... pedal/small generator/marine
batter/inverter plus it looks like it has hook ups for alternative charging
methods such as solar.
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| You can pedal a bike with a car alternator on the back wheel, but not
for more than a minute or two with a 100W bulb on it.
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| GeekBoy 2005-09-20, 6:21 pm |
|
"BobG" <bobgardner@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1127250051.368104.52680@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> You can pedal a bike with a car alternator on the back wheel, but not
> for more than a minute or two with a 100W bulb on it.
>
Why not?
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| Steve Spence 2005-09-20, 7:21 pm |
| BobG wrote:
> You can pedal a bike with a car alternator on the back wheel, but not
> for more than a minute or two with a 100W bulb on it.
>
I would argue that the alternator is wrong for the job, and that if you
want to light that bulb, you really want to be using a permanent magnet
motor to light that bulb. Have not seen too many 12vdc 100 watt bulbs.
headlights are around 50 watts. I can power one of them for an hour or
two if I'm so inclined. With a diode and a battery, a couple of folks
can take turns charging the battery for use when no one is pedaling.
--
Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust, http://www.green-trust.org
Contributing Editor, http://www.off-grid.net
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html
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| Harry Chickpea 2005-09-20, 8:21 pm |
| "GeekBoy" <GeekBoy@Geeks.com> wrote:
>
>"BobG" <bobgardner@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:1127250051.368104.52680@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>Why not?
>
IIRC, Lance Armstrong can only put out 250 watts consistently for the
couple of hours required for a race. It puts a perspective on how
out-of-shape most people are.
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| skittles 2005-09-20, 8:21 pm |
| I found the following article on google, --- This appears to be a great
website for this purpose but it isn't kept up anymore and the photos didn't
load so when you read about illustrations it's hard to follow but it's all i
could find so far... *feedback please*
*3 different methods for Powering a Laptop Computer with pedal power*
any ideas from this? I would appreciate any feedback...
The main focus of this document is to explain how to apply the technology of
pedal power a laptop computer. There is a necessity for appropriate
technology to be compatible with high technology. Pedal Power may be the
answer to your computer troubles if you are in a geographic area that does
not have a dependable electricity source or if you would like to get off the
grid.
This task is a little difficult because computers are very sensitive to
power surges. If you tried to plug your computer right into the generator
you would more than likely crash your computer. To avoid this outcome the
generator is plugged into a battery that can then safely plug into your
laptop computer.
The battery will deliver consistent power to the laptop, where power
straight from the generator would be inconsistent due to the nature of
pedaling. This set up can be used to power many other appliances; for
example - lights, televisions, radios, and any other battery powered
appliances.
Crucial Materials and Where To Get Them
Battery: The best way to pick a battery is to match the voltage of the
appliance you are trying to power. For a laptop that runs on 16volts, you
would want to use two 8volt, 85-100-150 amp/hr lead acid batteries. For
other uses you may need a 12 volt or two 6 volt batteries for AC systems. It
just depends on what you are looking for. It is recommended that you use a
deep cycle marine battery.
Manufacturer: Trojan
1-800-958-7652 or 1-800-423-6569
Distributor: Battery Systems,
#10 Loomis St., San Francisco,
CA 94124, 1-800-300-7650
Batteries can also be purchased at any auto or marine supple store
Diode: A diode is a turnstile like mechanism that allows energy to be
transferred from the generator to the battery, but not the other way around
which would drive the generator as a motor. Can be purchased at any hardware
store.
Flywheel: The flywheel is a heavy disk of metal that spins as you pedal an
excursive bike. The angular momentum carried by the flywheel allows the
flywheel to smooth out pedaling motion and store small amounts of kinetic
energy.
Fuses: You will need a 25 amp. fuse to protect your wiring should your
system short circuit. It should be placed immediately adjacent to the
positive terminal of the battery. Fuses can be purchased at any hardware
store.
Generator: The generator actually transforms human energy into mechanical
energy. We recommend a 600-100orpm, 24 volt, permanent magnet DC generator.
Distributor: C and H Sales Catalogue,
2176 E. Colorado Blvd.,
Pasadena, CA 91107.
P.O. Box 5356,
Pasadena, CA 91117
1-800-325-9465
e-mail: CandHsales@earthlink.net
web: http://www.candhsales.com
Inverter: An inverter converts DC currents into volts ac current for
powering common household appliances.
Can be purchased through the Alternative Energy Catalogue which can be
ordered by calling 1-800-777-6609.
Voltmeter and Ammeter: These instruments together provide you with the state
of the battery charge by giving you readings of the volts and amps being
produced. From these two numbers you can figure out the amount of out put
watts by using this formula:
Volts x Amps = Watts. Watts is a measure of how powerful you are.
Meters and wiring can be purchased through The Alternative Energy Catalogue
which can be ordered by calling 1-800-777-6609.
Three Bike Options to Consider
Three Different Ways You Can Configure Your Pedal Powered Generator
1. Modified Bike Stand Model for your Mountain Bike or Ten Speed - You will
probably need access to a machinist and some electrical tools, but you can
use any bike any time.
2. A Bike Frame Crank Assembly - This is simpler and easier, but the set-up
is permanent.
3. Modified Exercise Bike -The easiest. The flywheel is already on the bike,
it will be more sturdy, and the initial set-up already exists.
Modified Bike Stand Model for Your 10-Speed or Mountain Bike
Figure 1. Top left and right are examples of a bike stand with roller
assembly
1. Obtain a bike stand with a roller assembly (Figure 1, above).
.. Take the stand to a machinist and have them extend the drive shaft
assembly.2O2. Take the stand to a machinist and have them extend the drive
shaft assembly.
3. Use a coupler to attach the roller shaft extension to the drive shaft of
the generator (Diagram 1).
4. The roller shaft and drive shaft connection. Place a mount on the bike
stand that will allow the generator drive shaft to line up with the roller
assembly extension (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Illustrating where the generator should be mounted
5. Wire the generator to a battery remembering to use a diode and fuse.
6. Use an inverter to plug your laptop into the battery.
Bike Frame Crank Assembly
Figure 3. An example of a crank assembly without a bike stand, but will give
you a good idea of how the pulley system would work. A battery is not shown
in these pictures.
Decide if you want a permanent set-up or one that can be taken apart when
you want to ride your bike. If you decide to take it apart to utilize your
bike for other ways then you need to obtain an extra bike tire.
1. Obtain a bike stand without a roller assembly.
2. Remove the back tire and tube. Place a B size, industrial V belt around
the tire rim.
3. DO NOT replace the tire or tube.
4. Place a 2.5" pulley (Figure 4) on the drive shaft of the generator.
Figure 4. 2.5" pulley
5. Wire the generator to a battery remembering to use a diode and fuse.
6. Support the bike so the rear wheel does not touch the ground.
7. Mount a generator support on a single pedestal of wood.
8. Run the fan belt around the rim, then around the generator pulley.
9. Wire the generator to a battery remembering to use a diode and fuse.
10. Use an inverter to plug your laptop into the battery.
Modified Exercise Bike
1. Obtain an exercise bike with a solid 15.5" flywheel (Figure 5).
Figure 5. An example of a fly wheel
2. Turn the flywheel on a lathe, cutting a groove into the outer
circumference to fit an Size A industrial V belt.
3. Place 2.5" pulley on the drive shaft of the generator.
4. Make sure the belt runs in a straight line from the wheel rim to the
pulley.
5. Run the belt around the wheel to the generator pulley.
Figure 6. An example of a Modified Exercise Bike with the Generator mounted
underneath the green base underneath the front wheel. The Battery is at the
back of the base on the ground. This design wires the generator to the
meters, then to the battery in the back.
6. Wire the generator to a battery remembering to use a diode and fuse.
7. Use an inverter to plug your laptop into the battery.
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| SS:
I would argue that the alternator is wrong for the job, and that if you
want to light that bulb, you really want to be using a permanent magnet
motor to light that bulb. Have not seen too many 12vdc 100 watt bulbs.
headlights are around 50 watts. I can power one of them for an hour or
two if I'm so inclined. With a diode and a battery, a couple of folks
can take turns charging the battery for use when no one is pedaling.
==========================================
This prof at school had the bike with the alternator. He had a field
control rheostat and the pedal effort went from nothing to impossible
as you dialed it in. He got some big guy to crank on it and ge was
huffin and puffin. "Feel your thighs heating up? That's the impedance
match... 100 watts in the source, 100 watts in the load"
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