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Simple question

B

Brian Gaff

New visitor here, so if its in an archive, sorry.
Is there a relatively cheap device that can turn pedal power into a charger
for batteries for phones or other devices? All this keep fit going on seems
so wasteful.
Brian
 
S

Stephen Wolstenholme

New visitor here, so if its in an archive, sorry.
Is there a relatively cheap device that can turn pedal power into a charger
for batteries for phones or other devices? All this keep fit going on seems
so wasteful.
Brian
Click to expand...

There are lots available. Search the web for "pedal power"

Steve

--
Neural network software applications, help and support.

Neural Network Software. http://www.npsl1.com
EasyNN-plus. Neural Networks plus. http://www.easynn.com
SwingNN. Forecast with Neural Networks. http://www.swingnn.com
JustNN. Just Neural Networks. http://www.justnn.com
 
V

Vaughn

New visitor here, so if its in an archive, sorry.
Is there a relatively cheap device that can turn pedal power into a charger
for batteries for phones or other devices? All this keep fit going on seems
so wasteful.
Click to expand...

In my (brief) experience, about 50 watts is the most power a non-athlete
could hope to generate for any length of time on a peddle generator. As
an old guy in only average shape, I have no problem peddling at 14mph
for an hour at a time, which probably comes to about 50 watts output.
The difference is, I'm doing it out in a breeze. On a stationary bike
you will likely need a fan to keep you cool while you are peddling.
Guess how much power that will take?

Now do the math! At 50 watts, it would take you 20 hours to generate
one kilowatt-hour, or about 15 cents worth of power. As a further brain
exercise, figure out how many hours you would need to peddle to pay for
your equipment.

Now you know why peddle-powered generators aren't common.

Vaughn
 
J

Jim Wilkins

Vaughn said:
...
Now do the math! At 50 watts, it would take you 20 hours to generate one
kilowatt-hour, or about 15 cents worth of power. As a further brain
exercise, figure out how many hours you would need to peddle to pay for
your equipment.

Now you know why peddle-powered generators aren't common.

Vaughn
Click to expand...

One of my maybe-someday projects is a treadle generator, like an old sewing
machine, that would sit under the computer desk and charge the laptop
battery.

jsw
 
V

Vaughn

One of my maybe-someday projects is a treadle generator, like an old sewing
machine, that would sit under the computer desk and charge the laptop
battery.

jsw
Click to expand...

While that would be fun to build and a great conversation piece, a PV
charger would likely be much more practical.

Vaughn
 
J

Jim Wilkins

Vaughn said:
While that would be fun to build and a great conversation piece, a PV
charger would likely be much more practical.

Vaughn
Click to expand...

I already have the "45 Watt" HF kit, and usd it to run the TV and laptop and
charge the cell phone during our weeklong October power outage.

jsw
 
M

Mho

Stop peddling and your monitor goes blank. My guess is you would lose about
30 pounds in a year chatting.


-----------
"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message

Vaughn said:
While that would be fun to build and a great conversation piece, a PV
charger would likely be much more practical.

Vaughn
Click to expand...

I already have the "45 Watt" HF kit, and usd it to run the TV and laptop and
charge the cell phone during our weeklong October power outage.

jsw
 
B

Brian Gaff

Yes, I know about that, but this is not in the US, I want one in the UK, it
will cost a packet to import the bits.
Brian
 
B

Brian Gaff

But being blind and not wanting to hang of the back of a tandem, I still
think its a gooer. after all you can get useful battery charges from hand
cranked devices, it should be possible as i said originally to get a bit
more from pedalling and simply use it to charge up AA rechargeable for
example. At least all your energy does not go into warming up a friction
plate.
Brian
 
B

Brian Gaff

Well I have the old Treadle sewing machine, so what is next?

Brian
 
B

Brian Gaff

I don't think you get it do you?

Are you an accountant? grin.

Brian
 
B

Brian Gaff

and I thought i was cynical.

You charge the battery and use that to power the tv.
Brian
 
D

Daniel who wants to know

A

AJH

If I were going to make a pedal generator I would use the motor and gearbox
assembly from an electric wheelchair. The in-line ones would work better
than the right angle ones. I have a set like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOVEROUND-M...383?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c63989a4f
only mine are from an Invacare.
Click to expand...

The guys who assembled two bike generator to power an offgrid concert
which I helped at used a standard shopping, lady's bicycle. The back
wheel was held clear of the ground by a triangular frame attached to
the back axle. A 200W DC motor from a child's 24V electric scooter was
held against the rear tyre and driven by friction. This fed via a
rectifier into 2 1Farad capacitors and power was taken off these.
There were three leds across the capacitors to indicate correct
voltage. It was steady work to maintain a 60W output and I just about
managed to peak at 200W.

AJH
 
J

Jim Wilkins

AJH said:
...A 200W DC motor from a child's 24V electric scooter was
held against the rear tyre and driven by friction. ...
AJH
Click to expand...

Ah, another good item to watch for at yard sales. I used to repair
power wheel chairs and other medical devices and have mixed feelings
about diverting their still-useful repair components to other
purposes. For various reasons not all users quality for government
help.
 
W

Winston

Jim Wilkins wrote:
(...)
Ah, another good item to watch for at yard sales. I used to repair
power wheel chairs and other medical devices and have mixed feelings
about diverting their still-useful repair components to other
purposes. For various reasons not all users quality for government
help.
Click to expand...

Not to worry. Bicycle power generation is a nanoscopic market.

In my yout, I actually tried to maintain ~70 W into a
bicycle crank over an extended period of time. Best I ever
did consistently was about 30 minutes. Then I was All Done.

I could not have done that unless I was in the breeze
of my trusty *90 W* fan. :)

--Winston
 
J

Jim Wilkins

Winston said:
In my yout, I actually tried to maintain ~70 W into a
bicycle crank over an extended period of time. Best I ever
did consistently was about 30 minutes. Then I was All Done.

I could not have done that unless I was in the breeze
of my trusty *90 W* fan. :)

--Winston
Click to expand...

I really need only 30W to maintain a battery powering this laptop or
my 22" HDTV. A USB flex light is enough to illuminate the keybard to
type when the room lights are off. 50W would be the goal, though I
might design the frame and drive for 500W, which I can't maintain very
long if at all.

This would be my model, a foot-powered lathe meant for continuous
duty, unlike a sewing machine where you stop at the end of each seam.
http://www.manytracks.com/lathe/default.htm

I don't think I could pedal a crank and type at the same time, but the
treadle drive is well proven for delicate work.

jsw
 
W

Winston

Jim Wilkins wrote:

(...)
I really need only 30W to maintain a battery powering this laptop or
my 22" HDTV. A USB flex light is enough to illuminate the keybard to
type when the room lights are off. 50W would be the goal, though I
might design the frame and drive for 500W, which I can't maintain very
long if at all.

This would be my model, a foot-powered lathe meant for continuous
duty, unlike a sewing machine where you stop at the end of each seam.
http://www.manytracks.com/lathe/default.htm

I don't think I could pedal a crank and type at the same time, but the
treadle drive is well proven for delicate work.
Click to expand...

I think you mentioned using a stepper motor
as a generator in a wind charger application.

That, combined with your PV panels sounds like a
valuable parallel wattage source for your
treadle genny.

--Winston
 
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