Hey guys,

What can I directly connect to this generator?
I would like to power something so I can measure some data.
I dont have a battery or a charge controller so I'm trying to just power someting directly from this generator

Thank you guys for the help!!!!

 

So you want to pedal on bike to generate some electricity? Do you ralize humans can only make about 100W continuously?
Any way, everything depends on the details of that generator, like voltage and current

 

this is the generator I have right now

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

it doesnt need to be a large appliance. just something to power and measure some data.
right now i have it connected to multimeter and also a WattsViewer which is a board with a program that can measure volts, amps, and watts.
since its not connected to load, I can't get any readings or values except volts only

 

Maybe some 12V car bulbs, better two in series? Or some load resistor, say in the neigborhood of 2ohms?

 

cool thanks
ill go try it out.
just 2 ohms????

 

Well, 2 ohms at 24 volts will be 12 amps

12 amps at 24 volts will be 288 watts.

This is not just any resistor from radio shack, this is, for example a 25 mm diameter x 200 mm (8 inch) ceramic monster.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/FVE300-2-10%/FVE300-2.0-ND/269988

Be careful, it will get hot. You may want to power an appliance instead.

 

Plus he'll have to regulate the voltage, output goes up to 40volts

 

That's a pretty cool little generator, but darn expensive. Think I'd just get an old chevy alternator from the junk yard.

 

Think I'd just get an old chevy alternator from the junk yard.

Two problems with that: 1) An automotive alternator requires current through the field windings to create the magnetic field. They're not PMAs yet, although I think there are some automotive PMAs out there. 2) An alternator is designed for MUCH higher rpm than can be expected from a bicycle, even with pulleys to increase the gear ratio. A few hundred rpm won't do much.

This all said, output per dollar might not be so bad, because you can probably find one for free if you're persistent.

 

Two problems with that: 1) An automotive alternator requires current through the field windings to create the magnetic field. They're not PMAs yet, although I think there are some automotive PMAs out there.

You need just a little to get it started. After that, you can self-excite

2) An alternator is designed for MUCH higher rpm than can be expected from a bicycle, even with pulleys to increase the gear ratio. A few hundred rpm won't do much.

If you're mechanically adept, you can rig up a 2 or 3 stage pulley system. But now that's getting complicated.