This exerciser generates electricity by pedaling. I started with a 20 inch girls Murray bike which I cut in half. I flipped the backend over and bolted it to a wooden frame with a large base for stability. In the video I have a box on top of the base in order to keep it from sliding around while pedaling.
The generator itself is actually a radiator fan permanent magnet motor from a Honda. I cut off the fan blades down to the metal hub. I then JB welded the hub to a 1 inch copper pipe to produce a friction roller. So when you pedal it turns the tire which then turns the radiator fan motor.
NOTE: In order to generator 12 volts for the inverter the motor must spin at 3000 rpm. The bicycle gears have a 3:1 gear ratio and the friction roller has a 20:1 gear ratio with the tire. As a result, pedaling at 50 rpm will cause the motor to spin at 3000 rpm (3 * 20 * 50).
Duration : 0:3:7
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I have never made …
I have never made an inverter, but they are readily available to purchase online. I got mine from Frys Electronics for $40. Of course, mine is only 400 Watts, which is fine for charging things and running small appliances like a radio. If you want it to run more appliances then you will need to get a more powerful one, and these are more expensive. If you have two batteries then you can hook them up in parallel and connect them to an inverter. Most inverters run off of 12 volts.
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@hutchtransfer I …
@hutchtransfer I enjoy watching the projects. Im wondering I have 2 brand new car batterys in my yard 12 volt. I want to connect them to run appliances in my house. I need a power inverter do you know where to buy or make it? Have you ever made an inverter
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Just click on …
Just click on hutchtransfer above and it will take you to my channel where you can view videos for other projects I’ve built. Basically I’ve made an electric bike and an electric pusher trailer.
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@hutchtransfer Its …
@hutchtransfer Its good, my girlfriend is constantly on the exercise bike, Im thinking of making one for her in the living room, what other devices have you built?
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Capacitors are …
Capacitors are expensive, and since I just use the generator for exercising and charging small things, I can get by without it.
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Why didnt you add a …
Why didnt you add a Capicator and you could have stored the power the generator produced and when you stopped it would still carry on