WE're trying to build an electricity generating bike for VeloSwap. We want to use it to power Lennard Zinn's mic during his presentation!

The entire theme of the show this year is recycling and how VeloSwap is the largest recycling bike show in the country!

Automotive alternator should work up to about 50-100W sound power but it may create noise problems depending on the amplification PA system? A battery that is charged by pedaling would be a much more practical design for your event IMO. Automotive audio amplifers would be a good choice for the sound system because they already use the type of electricty a pedaled generator is likely to produce.

1st decide what type power you need to produce - either 120VAC 60Hz line (like what's used in homes) or 12Vdc as used in most vehicles. 120VAC 60 Hz line would be somewhat complicated because RPM will need to be kept in a narrow range to produce the correct frequency.

12Vdc would be the simplest but if you wish to use conventional 120VAC sound system you'll need an inverter and without a battery to help buffer things, even that could be complicated to execute cleanly.

'Sounds like fun - please elaborate if you can?

The occ team built a bike for Peavy guitar and a pa system was installed on the bike, might want to email them and find out what they used,probably a symple amp with a voltage converter.

http://www.peavey.com/news/article.cfm/action/view/id/252/20072703.cfm
http://namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM07/Content/Peavey/PR/Performer-Pack.html

There's a thread on the EVDL right now, with a mention of treadmill motors

On 10/16/07, Rod Hower <rodhower@...> wrote:
> I have plenty of these available for $20 plus $5 shipping in the US.
> 1.5 Hp Continuous duty, 95Vdc, Class N insulation.
> Treadmill duty, 2.65 Hp, 130Vdc, 18Amps, 6700RPM.
> Rod

and
> --- "Dewey, Jody R ATC COMNAVAIRLANT, N422G5G"
> <jody.dewey@...> wrote:
> I had another idea - permanent magnet treadmill motors can become
> generators. I bought a 130V treadmill motor for use in my EV to
> drive the power steering pump. It said on the package that it would
> generate DC if you spin it. I have yet to try it but it is
> definitely small enough to fit below the hood. It might only make 5
> or 6 amps but at least it will charge the pack.

Archived thread here:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/evdl_post_archive/message/15875

tks

LocK
human-electric hybrid