Human Powered Generator? (good, light, emergency, panel)
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I read a good thing for almost anyone to have is something that will generate enough power to do simple things like phones or a computer. Do you have something human powered that will do this? I read about generators that can be hand cranked.
Better to have an exercise bike setup for the charging of small electronics and batteries. More efficient use of human power than hand cranking could ever be. Not to mention easier on the body.
I tried this many years ago. You really cant generate much power. using a bike setup we were barely able to generate 200 watts for about an hour then were exhausted. I suppose a bike racer or marathoner could do better but not to many of us are them.....
I read a good thing for almost anyone to have is something that will generate enough power to do simple things like phones or a computer. Do you have something human powered that will do this? I read about generators that can be hand cranked.
Now, I'm thinking about this, and wondering what is the point? Seems much easier to me to just plug those electronics in to a wall socket.
If you are thinking for SHTF powering, I doubt if the internet and cell towers would work anyway. If they did, a small 15 or 20 watt folding solar panel would make more sense. But then, if the cell towers are working, the grid would be "up", and you could just plug in your devices.
If SHTF, there will be more to worry about than burying your nose in a smart phone....
I tried this many years ago. You really cant generate much power. using a bike setup we were barely able to generate 200 watts for about an hour then were exhausted. I suppose a bike racer or marathoner could do better but not to many of us are them.....
200 watts is wayyyyyyy more power than you'd need for small electronics. Anything that accepts USB charging is 5w to 12w.
Human powered generators hooked directly to a 12v battery are a great source of backup power; you could ride at a VERY leisurely pace and put a few amp hours in per hour. This could then be used to charge flashlights, lanterns, phones, ipads, and laptops.
24-36 watts would probably be easier than walking and would power a family's worth of gadgets with only a couple hours pedaling.
... a small 15 or 20 watt folding solar panel would make more sense. But then, if the cell towers are working, the grid would be "up", and you could just plug in your devices.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCresident2014
... for small electronics. Anything that accepts USB charging is 5w to 12w.
Human powered generators hooked directly to a 12v battery are a great source of backup power; you could ride at a VERY leisurely pace and put a few amp hours in per hour. This could then be used to charge flashlights, lanterns, phones, ipads, and laptops.
...
Nothing at all wrong with having solar panels and a human powered generator.
Sometimes it is cloudy, and having other options is useful.
Odd that no one brought up charging batteries for two way radios.
Odd that no one brought up charging batteries for two way radios.
My point exactly, but everybody nowadays has phones and tablets on the brain, and wants to be sure that they are powered up so they don't miss anything on Facebook or Instagram.
Keeping a 12v battery charged is an excellent idea -- by whatever means - but there are better things to do with that power, than to keep phones charged. Radios of all sorts (shortwave, ham, CB, two-way), fans, lights, a small DC fridge, and power to start a home furnace come to mind.
... so they don't miss anything on Facebook or Instagram.
For most of the emergency scenarios I write, Facebook and Instagram will not be a player inside the Area of Operations. Nor will any other cell phone or Internet connected service. Even with most of the local electronics surviving, if those services are up at all, they will be overloaded and undernourished, to the point of being useless.
Quote:
Keeping a 12v battery charged is an excellent idea -- by whatever means - but there are better things to do with that power, than to keep phones charged. Radios of all sorts (shortwave, ham, CB, two-way), fans, lights, a small DC fridge, and power to start a home furnace come to mind.
For me, everything but the furnace is in the mix. If it is cold, heat will be limited to one or two rooms.
200 watts is wayyyyyyy more power than you'd need for small electronics. Anything that accepts USB charging is 5w to 12w.
Human powered generators hooked directly to a 12v battery are a great source of backup power; you could ride at a VERY leisurely pace and put a few amp hours in per hour. This could then be used to charge flashlights, lanterns, phones, ipads, and laptops.
24-36 watts would probably be easier than walking and would power a family's worth of gadgets with only a couple hours pedaling.
Not really. But at least you will be in good shape! Cardio IS important!
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