Human powered generator?
Discussion
I am sure this idea will get shot down pretty quick with some common sense..
I know there are little generators you can get that you power by pedalling them, these things can generate 60 watts or something and are little portable units. Surely this idea could be scaled up?
With all our knowledge of momentum and gearing and pulleys etc, surely it would be possible for a human to be able to pedal some kind of contraption that gradually gears up and ends up turning something with lots of inertia, or very very fast. Not sure which of those would be more useful!
I saw something on TV recently where they powered a house by having about 30 people pedalling normal bikes like crazy and it just seems to me we should be able to do better than that?
Lets say the target is 10kw output but it doesn't matter how big the machine is. Would this be defying some law of physics, or is it theoretically possible?
I know there are little generators you can get that you power by pedalling them, these things can generate 60 watts or something and are little portable units. Surely this idea could be scaled up?
With all our knowledge of momentum and gearing and pulleys etc, surely it would be possible for a human to be able to pedal some kind of contraption that gradually gears up and ends up turning something with lots of inertia, or very very fast. Not sure which of those would be more useful!
I saw something on TV recently where they powered a house by having about 30 people pedalling normal bikes like crazy and it just seems to me we should be able to do better than that?
Lets say the target is 10kw output but it doesn't matter how big the machine is. Would this be defying some law of physics, or is it theoretically possible?
Power is just work in a given time isn't it?
For humans, that "work" bit is fixed...some people can work more (are fitter) but it's still a fixed amount before you're spent, either work harder, for a shorted amount of time or less hard for longer.
A car doesn't generate any more power at peak in it's different gears ('cept for some that are limited in lower gears).
I reserve the right to alter this post beyond all recognition when someone more physicsy than me explains it better/shoots holes right through it
For humans, that "work" bit is fixed...some people can work more (are fitter) but it's still a fixed amount before you're spent, either work harder, for a shorted amount of time or less hard for longer.
A car doesn't generate any more power at peak in it's different gears ('cept for some that are limited in lower gears).
I reserve the right to alter this post beyond all recognition when someone more physicsy than me explains it better/shoots holes right through it
I seem to recall from a visit to the ALternative Technology Centre many years ago that a peak output of 300watts is possible from a fit young person, and a steady 100watts over a period. There's no way that any mechanical device can amplify that - it's not possible or it would be on the road to perpetual motion.
Didn't see it but they did this recently for Bang Goes the Theory, they had a house full or people living thier normal life, and all the power was provided by a bunch of people cycling
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p8469
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p8469
motco said:
I seem to recall from a visit to the ALternative Technology Centre many years ago that a peak output of 300watts is possible from a fit young person, and a steady 100watts over a period. There's no way that any mechanical device can amplify that - it's not possible or it would be on the road to perpetual motion.
I figured this was the case, i do find it suprising though!Ta
Tangent Police said:
JamesM said:
Burn criminals and doleys to turn a steam turbine
Good idea, but has a large Carbon Footprint, as we'd rather it wasn't classed as a renewable form of energy. 
Monki said:
Tangent Police said:
JamesM said:
Burn criminals and doleys to turn a steam turbine
Good idea, but has a large Carbon Footprint, as we'd rather it wasn't classed as a renewable form of energy. The concept i am thinking of is more of a part time job. Everyone could take a turn on the pedals once a week, for example. Or we could all have sets of pedals in our houses that allow us to feed electricity back into the system or just subsidise our own use.
The actual amount of power produced would be negligible, barely enough for for a single 100w lightbulb. Ten hours of producing electricity may keep a small house going for an hour, keep going for 24 hours and you may have enough hot water for a short shower.
Much better to spend money on saving energy rather than producing it to waste.
Much better to spend money on saving energy rather than producing it to waste.
jaybkay said:
The actual amount of power produced would be negligible, barely enough for for a single 100w lightbulb. Ten hours of producing electricity may keep a small house going for an hour
But then again if you spent the evening pedaling like mad just to be able to watch an hours telly you'd be warm enough that you wouldn't need the heating on 
RizzoTheRat said:
jaybkay said:
The actual amount of power produced would be negligible, barely enough for for a single 100w lightbulb. Ten hours of producing electricity may keep a small house going for an hour
But then again if you spent the evening pedaling like mad just to be able to watch an hours telly you'd be warm enough that you wouldn't need the heating on Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff