Timeline for How does a DC generator vary power output to suit load
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
14 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7, 2018 at 18:10 | vote | accept | Tudor Munteanu | ||
| Feb 7, 2018 at 15:30 | answer | added | Harry Svensson | timeline score: 1 | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 15:18 | comment | added | user57037 | There are going to be problems. I believe going through the inverter is a mistake. I strongly recommend you use LED's which can be run directly off of DC. Inverters need to maintain a minimum input voltage or they will shut down. Trying to put out 100W pedaling is hard work. People will hesitate or pause, and during that pause, the inverter will cut out, and this will generally be a bad experience. Also, the inverter adds one more conversion step which reduces efficiency somewhat. If you connect LED's directly to the regulator output, no cutout. Just brightness varying with speed. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 14:46 | history | edited | Tudor Munteanu | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
added 136 characters in body
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| Feb 7, 2018 at 14:39 | comment | added | Tudor Munteanu | Thanks for the comments! The bicycle will indeed be stationary and used to power the lights which form part of an artistic display of sorts. It will be accessible by the public and hence the reason I'm trying to make sure someone can't fry the electronics by over-pedaling. @AlmostDone - I will be purchasing the voltage regulator from the manufacturer which outputs a constant 14.1 V at variable current depending on pedaling speed. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 6:37 | comment | added | user57037 | I have seen things like this before many times. Set up almost as a gimmick. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 6:11 | comment | added | user105652 | @mkeith. Ha-ha. If the bike was stationary, why would you need lights? | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 4:33 | comment | added | user57037 | @Sparky256, I was thinking this was for a pedal power thing setup as a stationary bike. Just an assumption on my part. But it didn't occur to me that anyone would try to fit all that kit on an actual moving bike. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 4:16 | comment | added | user105652 | @mkeith. The OP stated that he intends to run 100 watts of LED lights. That could be tough going uphill. Going down to 75 watts will save him much energy. The body and calorie consumption is not linear. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 4:07 | comment | added | user57037 | The output voltage is set by the speed of motor rotation. If the person pedals faster, the voltage will increase. The voltage increase is linear with speed. The resistance felt by the person depends on the electrical load at the output. You should design your system so that it produces 12V at a reasonable cadence for pedaling. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 4:04 | comment | added | user105652 | Welcome to EE.SE. You also need to consider the fact that a healthy human can only generate about 1/4 HP-at best. That is 186 watts. For sustained power consider 100 watts maximum. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 4:03 | comment | added | AlmostDone | I just looked up the Pedal-A-Watt on their web site and see that they also offer a 12V regulator along with the generator and other items. Your question about frying the accessories might better be presented of the seller. | |
| Feb 7, 2018 at 3:53 | review | First posts | |||
| Feb 7, 2018 at 9:30 | |||||
| Feb 7, 2018 at 3:52 | history | asked | Tudor Munteanu | CC BY-SA 3.0 |