Electric Bikes - can i make my bicycle to an electric one? and how?

Hello
i would make to make my bike to a source of power.
e.x.When i m at home take my bike inside and while i do pedals electricity is produced and i can watch tv without put it in the socket.
I mean if there is a way to convert the movement of the pentals to usefull power.
So i can charge my phone or store the energy and turn on the lights for some time.
I think its a good idea. Like the bikes in the gym. How can you make that? Anybody knows?
Thanks!

Hello
i would make to make my bike to a source of power.
e.x.When i m at home take my bike inside and while i do pedals electricity is produced and i can watch tv without put it in the socket.
I mean if there is a way to convert the movement of the pentals to usefull power.
So i can charge my phone or store the energy and turn on the lights for some time.
I think its a good idea. Like the bikes in the gym. How can you make that? Anybody knows?
Thanks!
It's certainly doable. I would rig the pedals to power an automotive (12 volt) alternator and rig that to charge a bank of batteries. A voltage inverter will convert the stored energy in the batteries to useful 115 volt AC power.
You'll need to do your research on how much storage and how large an inverter you will need to accomplish the tasks you require of it.

Actually, if I'm not mistaken a car's alternator is AV voltage and is converted to DC for the use in the car. A common inverter is also very poor eff. In any case for the amount of fooling around and cost for doing it I don't think it would actually be worth trying to peddle drive a TV and for sure not your toaster. Trust me those 3 fat hamsters you see rowing the boat on TV are not generating any electrical power.

Bob

A cheaper way, would prolly be a solar charging setup.

Here you go: http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen/ultimate_pedal_tv.html

LOL, yeah, like I said to complicated, expensive and not worth the time or money.

Great find Madman

Ask these guys how they did it :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEH4Yum4nN4

Actually, if I'm not mistaken a car's alternator is AV voltage and is converted to DC for the use in the car. A common inverter is also very poor eff. In any case for the amount of fooling around and cost for doing it I don't think it would actually be worth trying to peddle drive a TV and for sure not your toaster. Trust me those 3 fat hamsters you see rowing the boat on TV are not generating any electrical power.

Bob
Inverters are used all the time for this type of application. Got one powering this computer right now sitting here in my truck. They may be somewhat inefficient, but they do the job, and make power storage for later use practical.

hello
i found a very usefull site. they say everything and with many details. But you have right. Its expencive (about 700euros in my country) and you have to put a lot of effort. Maybe its worthing all the time and money just for to try sth new!
Thank

Ps. the site is http://www.pedalpowergenerator.com/index.html
its amazing how you can understand everything!