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Forum Index : Other Stuff : "The Block" needs some help.
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
I received this email today, and thought I would post it on the forum to see if anyone can help. Hi there Glenn, Im wondering if you can help me, I work on the Channel 9 TV show, The Block, and Im looking to organise a challenge whereby the contestants on the show need to pedal power to do a task in a week which we're aiming to devote to clean energy. (Perhaps power some power tools or something like that as it’s a renovation show- we’re looking at Eco power for this episode) I have no idea where to start, and as everywhere I look on the internet links back to your website & article about how to make your own, I thought it was worth touching base to ask- as you clearly are the go-to for resources! So I guess I'm wondering if you, or anyone you know, could potentially be available to create the bikes for us in Melbourne? I am crossing my fingers there is a community of electronics buffs!(And possibly more importantly, Do you think a bike generator would be suitable for a challenge where they had to power soemthing like tools) We're thinking about maybe combining this with something to do with wind power. Thanks kindly, hope to hear from you! Julia If anyone thinks they can put something together for Julia, please contact her on jnesbit(at)nine.com.au They are looking for anyone based in Melbourne, and said they could help source materials & pay them accordingly. Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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Tinker Guru  Joined: 07/11/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1904 |
Glenn, I've been to a museum (in Germany) where they had set up a bike to generate electric power. Many people would struggle to light up a 100W bulb brightly for longer than a few seconds. So, electric tools are not very practical for powering via generating pedal power electricity. Perhaps powering a fan or some LED lights or, sounds boring, recharging the mobile phone. The old pedal powered Traeger 2 way radio comes to mind, those were hard work but today's radio's require a lot less power. That may be a challenge, establish a two way communication powered from pedals. Perhaps they can modify an electric bike to generate the power, it might involve the least amount of work. Klaus |
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MacGyver Guru Joined: 12/05/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 1329 |
Crew I've mentioned this here before, back in the day somewhere, but having fooled around with using a pedal-bicycle to create any "meaningful" power, requires a two-step process. Since, as Klaus points out, a direct coupling between the rider and the power destination makes powering any tool larger than a mosquito almost physically impossible, my take on the thing was to use the bicycle as a means to perhaps either lift a weight or wind a ginormous spring, either of which could be let go against a load and perhaps drive an alternator at the torque and speed necessary to manufacture a serious amount of useful power. We're in the beginning stages of winter here, so maybe I'll concoct something one of these rainy, cold days. If I wind up creating anything useful, I'll post the build. . . . . . Mac Nothing difficult is ever easy! Perhaps better stated in the words of Morgan Freeman, "Where there is no struggle, there is no progress!" Copeville, Texas |
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Bryan1 Guru Joined: 22/02/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1344 |
Glenn, My mini mill has both stators done but I haven't done a cast on the coils. I would gladly give up this project of mine for the cause but with my investment so far for the cost and a bit more. As the rotor diameter is only 300mm diameter and there is 32 off 16x13mm round N50 magnets it would make for with the right coil a purfect cycle generator. All I can say if you are interested call me. Regards Bryan |
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