Exercise bike generator using a car alternator

Demonstration of a bike generator using an exercise bike, automotive alternator, 10 "AA" batteries, and a 375 Watt 12VDC to 120VDC inverter. A bank of 60 Watt incandescent and 14 Watt CFL light bulbs are lit to demonstrate energy efficiency.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• bike generator
• energy efficiency
• environment
• education
• alternator
• exercise bike
• CFLs
• compact fluorescent
• incandescent

[PrestoWind]

Why don't you put a permanent magnet rotor inside the pma? You won't need to excite the field.

[tomgloria]

@PrestoWind that would work.

[oguretsagressive]

Beautiful rig! You really possess a skill. However, AA's are not a best way of energizing the excitation coil i think, especially if you are using alkaline cells. I've experienced a severe voltage drop while experimenting with my own device. 12V 70A*h battery was better. Would you mind to share some statistics? How much peak wattage did you get? What was the maximum speed of alternator's shaft?

[tomgloria]

@oguretsagressive you are right, the alkaline cells will cause a severe voltage drop. This is by design. When I bring it into a classroom, I want the students to immediately feel the draw by the lights. With a bigger battery to smooth it out, it works better, but the students don't feel the load. Peak wattage I've been able to achieve is ~15. I recall that at 80 rpm of the exercise bike we were in the 2000 rpm range of the alternator shaft. Thanks for your message.

[XsmashX1]

Wouldn't having a bank of batteries be ideal rather than wiring it to some light bulbs?

[tomgloria]

The two different types of light buls are used to demonstrate the difficultly of lighting incandescent light bulbs vs. CFLs of similar lumen (light generation capacity) rating

[tomharrisonjr]

Totally cool!

Nice work on the switches, Isabelle! Patrick -- you deserve a spot on the Tour de France. Nicky -- one word: Oscar.

We would love to come over and check it out. And then we'll take you guys off the grid for an evening of well deserved rest -- we'll guarantee a steady 14 Watts and pizza of your choice.

Tom H and the gang

P.S. Our best use of exercise equipment for energy savings has been as a clothes rack (saves on use of the dryer :-). You win.

[jumperolson]

What a nifty gizmo! I know some Newton Middle School technical education science teachers that would like to see that, at a workshop this July. I will be in touch!

Cheers,

Eric

[libertyORrevolution]

Seems like a lot of work for three light bulbs...you might just want to light a candle!

[vox1philippines]

this is my next next projects...... NICE ! is it need a bigger batery for the exiter?  ......Thankz...

[XsmashX1]

Okay, I only read the heading, not the description. But you were obviously comparing the two.

Do you have a battery bank too? I'm thinking of building one myself but I'm inexperienced. Doesn't look too complicated. I hope it isn't. I'm ganna look for some plans online.

[NOCNOTCAUGHT]

Fantastic job!!