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Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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2jon
Novice
Dec 8, 2012, 12:25 AM
Post #1 of 12
(5612 views)
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Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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I'm trying to build a pedal powered generator similar to this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVAZIDFMRXY
I'm trying to choose a good alternator for the project. I've been told that there are parts of certain vehicles that are so well made, that they hardly ever fail. As a result there is a relatively large supply to demand ratio for these used parts, and a person can get a really good deal on them, should they ever need one.
Since my bike doesn't need to fit a specific model of vehicle, I am free to choose any model I like.
Can any of you tell me the make(s) and model(s) of any of these Legendary Alternator(s) That Never Fail?
I'm looking for something that can be gotten at a junkyard for, say, $50 or less.
Thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 8, 2012, 9:07 AM
Post #2 of 12
(5569 views)
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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I couldn't get the video to show but still not the whole point. An alternator requires a 12v battery they if you want another power from that you convert it. Everytime you convert one energy to another there is some loss. Alternators are marked usually with what amps they can produce. Then you need to know how many amps you need to do what. A few LED lights would be a cake walk.
Average human couldn't light a 60w incandescent light bulb rigged to bicycle and chain or belt rig set up for more than a couple minutes - try it - I have!
This is the ongoing energy snag. If you catch wind to make electrical power, store that in a battery and later want the battery to turn the turbine to make wind again you lost!
If something for fun or an exercise bike to make a light show that's already done just for the joy of it.
If you want to play try an internally regulated common alternator but know that if more than minuscule power wanted from pedaling you can't. Shoot - it takes several "Horse Power" to make even marginal power. Don't know exactly but a human with all their might is probably as low as 1/10th of one HP of power and not for long.
No free lunch. Motor vehicles use tons of power to run lighting and items and restore the power lost to start an engine.
Another analogy: Say you want a battery powered bike and pedal an alternator to power the motor to move the bike. Lost again. You would do better to just pedal to move the bike and get the alternator, battery and extra weight off of it. That's not an opinion it's proven fact in sciences.
Study Issac Newton. It's the way it is not the way we want,
T
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 8, 2012, 12:01 PM
Post #3 of 12
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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I don't think I have ever heard of an altenator that doesn't fail, everything electrical or mechanical can & will fail. If you mean one that is easier to work with than others I know some guys would use older GM alternator when working on hotrods or converting from 6vs.
I don't remember for sure but the #7127 rings a bell....google that..... Those Alternators were similar to the GMs HEI distributors. The required minimal wiring to convert to another system so were used a lot in conversions....
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re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 8, 2012, 2:03 PM
Post #4 of 12
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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I think you should give up on the alternator . As others have mentioned therer is to much loss in rectifing the ac to dc. There are plenty of kits out there that use 500w DC GENERATORS . And camper /motorhome stoes have tons of things that will operate on dc .You can use an Inverter for small ac things.HERE is just one of many sites.........................Free Plans To Build your own Bicycle Generator Pedal Power Station
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 8, 2012, 2:27 PM
Post #5 of 12
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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Yea, I'm not really sure what the OPs plans are. The part about "never failing" kinda leads you to think that this more than just a novelty and is going to be a long term thing....
The pedal power is the problem, you need to find a different source to turn the wheel......Water, wind, hampster....anything..
The guy in the video did have the right idea about gearing. Definitely need to get that ratio as high as possible with the least amount of effort..
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2jon
Novice
Dec 8, 2012, 5:25 PM
Post #7 of 12
(5518 views)
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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Tom:
I understand the laws of motion and thermodynamics. I'm not looking to get something from nothing, I'm mainly just looking to build an exercise bike that I can get some power out of, even if it's just a trickle charge. I would like for it to be as efficient and reliable as possible for under $150. Most of the time, I will probably be doing exactly what you describe; burning a bulb of some type, since that would probably be one of the cheapest heat dissipating resistors I could get.
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2jon
Novice
Dec 8, 2012, 5:42 PM
Post #8 of 12
(5513 views)
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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Since my bike doesn't need to fit a specific model of vehicle, I am free to choose any model I like. That isn't entirely true. Some alternators are regulated externally by some type of controller such as a PCM or regulating module. If you want to spend the time to build and design a circuit to control the output of those types of alternators, then you can use those types of alternators. The CS130 in the video is internally regulated.
That's a good point.
I actually know a fair bit about motor and generator design, but not a whole lot about variations of different styles of alternator.
I definitely need all of the parts that are necessary in the vehicle for the battery to be charged.
Do you know how the cs130 regulates it's voltage? Does it do it by adjusting the current flowing through the rotor armatures? I would think that would be one of the more efficient ways of regulating voltage. Rectifying it shouldn't be too terribly inefficient.
I would imagine that newer designs are probably more efficient than older ones due to the increase in fuel economy.
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2jon
Novice
Dec 8, 2012, 5:46 PM
Post #9 of 12
(5507 views)
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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Vehicles don't really have any way of adjusting the speed of the alternator do they?
It's always some fixed ratio to the RPM of the engine, right?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 8, 2012, 6:07 PM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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You need to read up on how alternators function. The regulator is designed to keep the voltage at a set point by controlling the amount of current through the field. The strength of the electromagnetic field produced determines the output of the alternator. AC voltage is produced by the alternator and retified by the diodes into DC. When you put a load on the alternator, the voltage that is sensed by the regulator tends to drop, so the regulator turns a transistor on more (duty cycles) to allow the current to increase the strength of the field causing the alternator to ouput more amperage to feed the load. The regulator doesn't monitor current, it just tries to keep the voltage at it's set point.
Correct, the alternator's speed is determined by the size of the pulleys and the RPM of the engine. Some alternators that are computer controlled can be shut off while the vehicle is starting.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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2jon
Novice
Dec 8, 2012, 6:23 PM
Post #11 of 12
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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Right, and the lower the electrical resistance, the greater the load current, resulting in a higher mechanical resistance on the pedals.
If you shorted the terminals, the alternator would basically just lock up, right?
So, do you think the cs130 is a good choice for this project?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 8, 2012, 6:33 PM
Post #12 of 12
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Re: Choosing an alternator for a pedal powered generator.
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Well, shorting the output lug will more than likely blow the alternator. Alternator is designed to only output so much current until the diodes turn into smoke emitting diodes. Infact running an alternator near is maximum current output tends to get the alternator pretty hot...they also don't last too long when running that hard. I've never pedaled an alternator to see what it would do if that happened. You can do what is called a full field on an alternator. This bypasses the regulator and fully energizes the field. I am sure that will give you a good work out...LOL
CS130 is a good alternator to use. They are everywhere, cheap, and don't require some sort of external regulation. There is also a cs130D that has the fan inside. CS130D is a prettier alternator in my opinion.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 8, 2012, 6:41 PM)
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