I would like to hook up a stationary bike to a small generator and
provide my own electricity for a television set using my own 2 legs.
Any ideas ? Thanks
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I did something like this about 15 years ago. Two of us made a frame
to allow any 10-speed to act as a generator/exercise machine. The back
wheel ran a heavy steel cylinder which was coupled by a pulley belt to
an automobile alternator. Our alternator was loaded down by a
progammable load to simulate different terrain. If I remember
correctly, someone in good shape could run 1/4 horsepower (about 200W)
for 15-30 minutes. The frame and electrical apparatus had to be
designed to handle the resulting deluge of sweat!
Our ultimate goal was to make the system work with two coupled
cylinders, so that you didn't need to attach the bike, you could ride
it just a regular bike.... the cylinders had the rotational inertia to
give a smooth ride, and since both wheels of the bike were running at
normal speeds, balance was normal. It allowed you to use your own
favourite bike as a "stationary" exercise machine.
Electrically, the thing was very simple. Just hook up your load to
the 12v output terminals! We never tried converting it to AC line
voltages, but I'm sure those converters are pretty common and cheap!
I would imagine that this would be a pretty easy technique to
generate power in places that are way off the grid, and have a bicycle
and car parts handy.
-Paul G.
