Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on over
the last few years is how much electricity a human being can generate.
Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you were to build
a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle including the
peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you could have the
alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to peddle, you could use
the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another pulley going to the
alternator. How many amps can a person generate at 12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and your
generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to charge your
batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about pedalling for a
couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to running the engine for
a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun

Shaun,

Brian Allen was the pilot/engine of the manpowered flight across the
English channel. It was said that his peak was about 1/2hp (375w) for
short bursts. So, yes, you could do it. If you really wanted to.

Matt Colie



Shaun Van Poecke wrote:
Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on over
the last few years is how much electricity a human being can generate.
Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you were to build
a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle including the
peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you could have the
alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to peddle, you could use
the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another pulley going to the
alternator. How many amps can a person generate at 12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and your
generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to charge your
batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about pedalling for a
couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to running the engine for
a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun



--
target of diversity
victim of affirmative action
refugee from the war on poverty
minimized by political correctness

Normal people (not those in superb condition) can maintain about 150 watts
for 30 minutes. P=IE
Steve

"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in message
...
Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on
over the last few years is how much electricity a human being can
generate. Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you
were to build a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle
including the peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you
could have the alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to
peddle, you could use the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another
pulley going to the alternator. How many amps can a person generate at
12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and
your generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to
charge your batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about
pedalling for a couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to
running the engine for a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily
bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun

Couple of hours a day, at 10 amps? Compared to an engine charging at
30 amps? Free excercise?

With an electric motor / generator, you could charge batteries or
direct drive, emulate rowing, even use solar power. You could also
charge from the prop under sail. A direct pedal drive might work more
efficiently, if geared in after the engine drive. A wind generator
could also contribute.

If a man can row across the ocean, why not pedal / sail? Drag a krill
net an hour a day and get plenty of food. Catch rain to drink.

Be the first new independant sustainable aquatic mammal life form in
millions of years? Let Darwin be your judge.

Terry K

300w would be going hard. (One of the worlds top sprint cyclists hits
1100w, Lance Armstrong holds 450w for an hour).
As a former bike racer myself, I'd say it would be a real workout, the
only problem with this pedal power recharging system, is the borebom,
exersice bikes have always been a least favourite amongst cyclist. Look
at 200w for an average fit person, then you have only 35% effiency of
the alternator, 70W gives about 5 amps. At least it solves the problem
of lack of aerobic exersice on a passage.

Gary

Shaun Van Poecke wrote:

Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on over
the last few years is how much electricity a human being can generate.
Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you were to build
a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle including the
peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you could have the
alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to peddle, you could use
the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another pulley going to the
alternator. How many amps can a person generate at 12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and your
generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to charge your
batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about pedalling for a
couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to running the engine for
a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun

Gary wrote:

300w would be going hard. (One of the worlds top sprint cyclists hits
1100w, Lance Armstrong holds 450w for an hour).
As a former bike racer myself, I'd say it would be a real workout, the
only problem with this pedal power recharging system, is the borebom,
exersice bikes have always been a least favourite amongst cyclist. Look
at 200w for an average fit person, then you have only 35% effiency of
the alternator, 70W gives about 5 amps. At least it solves the problem
of lack of aerobic exersice on a passage.

Gary


You can get closer to 70% efficiency if you go to a permanent magnet
alternator rather than an automotive style.

But the rest of your numbers are right on.

--
“TAANSTAFL”

__________________________________________________ __________________________

"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them;
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3
__________________________________________________ __________________________

Back in the fifties, In high school physics, we did an experiment to find
out how much power teen agers could generate. Our task was running up
stairs. We found that kids in really athletic shape could put out close to
one HP for one flight. The average was less than half that value. One HP
is 746 watts with out losses. We are a pretty puny species! No wonder we
got animals to do the hard work followed by wind, water and finally steam
and electricity.
Dave
"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in message
...
Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on
over the last few years is how much electricity a human being can
generate. Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you
were to build a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle
including the peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you
could have the alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to
peddle, you could use the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another
pulley going to the alternator. How many amps can a person generate at
12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and
your generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to
charge your batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about
pedalling for a couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to
running the engine for a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily
bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun

On Sat, 12 May 2007 10:27:26 -0400, "Dave W"
wrote stuff
and I replied:

.....and then most of the animals are millions of years old! G

is 746 watts with out losses. We are a pretty puny species! No wonder we
got animals to do the hard work followed by wind, water and finally steam
and electricity.

On May 11, 8:36 am, "Shaun Van Poecke"
wrote:
Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on over
the last few years is how much electricity a human being can generate.
Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you were to build
a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle including the
peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you could have the
alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to peddle, you could use
the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another pulley going to the
alternator. How many amps can a person generate at 12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and your
generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to charge your
batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about pedalling for a
couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to running the engine for
a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun

Car alternators spin pretty fast compared to what you would probably
do running it with a bike. Anyone know if there is a speed (slow) that
it will not produce enough to spark up the diode triode? Anyway, you
may have to consider/ponder a different lower output generator. Just
guessing here, maybe someone else knows.

What I've read says car type alternators need a minimum of 1000 rpm to
produce usable voltage.
Could you put magnets directly on the wheel and pickup coils around it?
Kinda like a big old synchronous motor?

Shaun

Car alternators spin pretty fast compared to what you would probably
do running it with a bike. Anyone know if there is a speed (slow) that
it will not produce enough to spark up the diode triode? Anyway, you
may have to consider/ponder a different lower output generator. Just
guessing here, maybe someone else knows.