Bicycle generated power

[Lightspeed]

(27 July 2012, 16:57)Skvez Wrote:

(27 July 2012, 16:30)Lightspeed Wrote: Next question will be power generated. I fear that pulling a big alternator of a deisel Merc for example would be an error.

Good question and I don't know for sure however I suspect that you'd be OK.
What I think will happen is that while you're turning the alternator slowly the Voltage it's producing is less than the Voltage of the battery so there is no load over and above the internal losses of the alternator. As you get up to the speed where the Voltage of the alt is just-and-no-more exceeding the voltage of the Battery you get a small amount of additional load. More speed = more Voltage = more load.
So you should be able to find a speed that’s comfortable to pedal at that produces useful power.

Yep, Gearing and maximum human consistent power output come to mind.

Fascinating stuff though, no??

Gotta go now otherwise Mrs LS will be exering some energy on me!!!