I tried this back in the 1970's with an exercise bike and a high efficiency generator (still have this if anyone wants it). If I pushed hard I could get it up to 200W, but only sustain about 100W. The only time I used it is when my battery was depleted and I wanted to watch TV. I had a 12VDC 5" B&W TV (so cute), so I would pedal like crazy during the commercials and it would just make it to the next commercial. It was way too loud to do it while watching. I eventually got a generator setup from Backwoods.
Brad On Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 3:11 PM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches < re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote: > As I recall from pushing the "wayback" button, Backwoods and Real Goods > used to sell something like that in the 90s. I would only see a > pyschological benefit, based on the system size. I recall that the > charge rate was less than 50 watts, so its really not going to be worth > wiring into the system. Maybe she could do what several folks have > done: power a TV while you pedal. Anyway, here is device that might do > it: https://www.econvergence.net/ > > Ray Walters > Remote Solar > > On 3/16/2023 3:58 PM, Larry Brown via RE-wrenches wrote: > > Wrenches > > > > I have a client that we did an off grid system for about 4 years ago > > The system is performing well > > The client would like to keep charged her batteries in the winter with > her stationary bicycle operating a small generator > > Right now she uses a grid connection that was available and she turns on > a breaker if needed to charge the batteries in the winter through the > inverter > > When the batteries are fully charged she turns the breaker back off > > No need for any back up other times of year > > That is the only use of the grid > > > > Her request was to be off grid > > This set up eliminated the need for her to have a generator for winter > low light conditions > > So far all is working as designed > > But there is talk of adding a gas generator so that if the grid is down, > there is a back up available > > > > The system has 16- AGM Concorde SunXtener Batteries configured in 2 > strings of 8 batteries per string > > They are PVX 3050T 6 volt batteries operating at 48VDC > > They are charged from the PV Array by 2- Schneider Conext MPPT 80 600 > Charge Controllers > > The system has a Schneider Conext XW+ 5548 Single Inverter > > > > Any thoughts or ideas of what equipment can be matched with a stationary > bicycle that might give a trickle charge to the battery bank > > Anyone ever played with setting this up? > > She wants to try this out and see what is possible > > Get some winter exercise and perhaps keep the batteries as close to full > without using the grid or a back up gas generator > > > > All suggestions welcome > > > > Thanks > > Larry > > > > Larry Brown > > Sun Mountain > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try > the other: > > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > > > List rules & etiquette: > > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > > > Check out or update participant bios: > > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
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