self sufficient electrical system

bbeards2

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Apr 22, 2008
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What if there was a way to hook up a small sprocket on to one of the friction drive generators and place it in a way the the chain spins it along with the rear wheel. Then would you be able to take the power you get from the generator to charge a small battery given the output is high enough to do so. Thus allowing you to run a self sufficient electrical system. Not sure if this would work just an idea let me know of any knowledge or info you have i been searching the post nothing quiet like this.
 
It would seem easier just to put one of those tip in and run against the wheel type generators on the driven wheel, use it. That, or replace the friction roller on the shaft end of one with the smallest sprocket you can find, mount it on your engine mount running off the chain.
 
The impression I get is that something like that is possible, but difficult. The devil being in the details.

And in the end (I think, anyway) if you produce enough electrical power to be really useful, you've ended up taking a lot of your engine power.

and if you don't carry it that far, then you might as well stick with battery lights.


but don't let me be too discouraging; if you feel the curiosity to try then you ought to go for it. I might give it a shot myself one day.
 
I don't know how much drag one of those friction roller type generators create, but I had one on my bike while in college, the added load was barely noticeable. I set it up to charge a pair 12V lawnmower batteries, powered my headlight and tail lights from there. I lived 9 miles from campus and rode there, then to work, then home at 2am every night. Never once had the headlight go dim on me.
 
I don't know how much drag one of those friction roller type generators create, but I had one on my bike while in college, the added load was barely noticeable. I set it up to charge a pair 12V lawnmower batteries, powered my headlight and tail lights from there. I lived 9 miles from campus and rode there, then to work, then home at 2am every night. Never once had the headlight go dim on me.

Did you just wire the roller in parallel with the battery and no regulation? It must have been a DC generator... You would have to just manually check system voltage with this system as to not overcharge.
 
With my experience, and information out there, with low charge currents, overcharging is not an issue. There is just not enough power to damage the battery. I can charge a 12V 4AH NiCd battery with a 12V 300mA charger for several days and have no issues. A lead battery is a bit more sensitive to overcharge, but still not enough to matter from feeding it less than 1A of current from a generator. Also, I doubt you will ride long enough in a day to overcharge the battery before needing to run your lights.

It's the overcharging on a fast charge that kills batteries.
 
Why are you not using the power off the motor (magnito?) to charge a battery? I have seen pictures of some doing that, but have not done it myself, nor have I investigated that yet. Just seems like this is being done and working fine.
 
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