Author Topic: Hooking alternator to exersize bike  (Read 2818 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Norm

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1841
  • Country: us
  • Ohio's sharpest corner
Hooking alternator to exersize bike
« on: March 16, 2014, 08:30:34 AM »
It's been a few years now but I had finally managed to convince
my wife we needed an exercise bike .
After a couple of years of trying to figure out how to hook the alternator
up to it without dismantling it, I finally arrived at the solution by putting
a pedal sprocket on the left side , I still have the original exercise
bike seat and all .
When I pedal the original still turns the front (wheel?) at a 1:8 ratio as I
pedal.  The Display says I am going at a speed of 35mph  ::) .
While I realize that the little rear wheel....if it was connected to the ground
is actually turning at 3.5 mph....an average walking speed.
The ECM has a *Razor (4?)wheel on the shaft with a 1:8 ratio to the crank pedal
shaft.......the ECM just sits there with its own weight almost keeping it there up
against the little solid rubber tire ( a kids toy !) with a straight solid drive (no
coaster brake) at a 60 rpm of the pedals the ECM spins at a leisure 480-500 rpm
which charges 12 volt batteries at 30watt/hrs.
the pics are below.


The red lines indicate where the stool and chain is to the rear wheel.
Oh....forgot to mention that I didn't care about the hard uncomfortable
seat .....so I sit on a nice comfortable bar stool instead ....I couldn't
work the hand levers that are also attached to the pedals.....so for upper
body workout I walk around and operate the hand levers......
I can tell you that at a 30Watt/hr rate just doing it that way I can only go
about 2 minutes.
BTW as original on the seat ....using both hand and foot exercise 100 Watt/hrs.
is quite easy to attain......(except for the uncomfortable seat ......(ewe....ouch....groan )
Norm.





john8750

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • Country: us
Re: Hooking alternator to exersize bike
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2014, 12:39:22 AM »
Seems that with the right generator, 50 watts should be maintainable for a good 30 minute workout, or more.
And that is a good bit of charge for a 12 volt battery.
I will be working on this soon. Keep in touch.

John Smith
Keep the fun in it. Give me sun light.
John Smith

hiker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1661
  • BIG DOG
Re: Hooking alternator to exersize bike
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2014, 01:47:47 AM »
glad to see your still workin out on your pedgens norm...........
WILD in ALASKA

Norm

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1841
  • Country: us
  • Ohio's sharpest corner
Re: Hooking alternator to exersize bike
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2014, 08:12:04 AM »
Hi Hiker !
     Yep keepin' a few NiCads for cordless batteries specially
waiting and waiting for a few people to order some replacement
batteries or even just a couple of people.

 How are you doing with yours....started yet ?
Norm.