bicycle generator

[mad*sparrow]

Ok, who here has experience with setting up an alternator to a bicycle? Its simple, cheap, and really good exercise . Works rain or shine with or without wind. My question is how many ah can you get from a twenty minute workout? I figure a high output alternator would work better but does that mean higher rpms to get the high output? I have an idea for a small portable unit that if it works well I plan to sell but I figure that I should ask the collective experts on electrical power since my knowledge is much more novice.

If all goes well my dream is to enlist hundreds of gerbils on treadmills to power a community .

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

These guys built one from scratch.<br><br>http://www.gulland.ca/homenergy/lindabike.htm<br><br><br>Ive seen them on youtube where they just put the tire on something attached to the alternator to spin it, much easier...<br><br>these guys seem to break it down (its all greek to me <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="bbc_img">)<br><br><br><br>That guy looks in better shape than me by far i don't think this is something i could do <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[mad*sparrow]

Is my thinking off with a car alternator running 2000 rpms x bike wheels 200 rpms? The key is in the gearing and the time you want to devote to turning it. Car alternators are cheap and last forever as well as the needed parts of the bike or whatever you use to turn it.