Bike Generator

Step 4 Hook everything up

Now all thats needed is to hook it up to the head light. I just pushed the wire ends behind the battery terminals on the head light, then drilled a hole in the light to run the wires through. The wires were then connected to the battery connector. I used this because I wanted to be able to disconnect the the head light quickly. The project box will need slots or holes for the wires for the light and the motor.

Once everything is on go out and ride!

Comments

[#OccupyInstruct]

i know were talking about efficiency here, but why not add a digital readout and a power storage device? the digital readout could go on the handlebars so you can see how much power you have and could run more things. you could also add brake lights hooked up to a smaller switch for night.

very nice build!
cheers,

Occupy

[gordoflash]

Great idea, and I plan to do the same. You proved it works. My addition to the idea 1st -is to remove the circuit board, solder components together and cover with silicon so it becomes part of wiring. 2nd -add a couple super capacitors so the lights will stay on at intersections. 3rd -put the stepper motor closer to the hub, maybe screw a ring to the spokes for the motor to run on. Great work!!

[sean882]

 It's been a while since I did anything with capacitors.  How would you go about hooking these up?   I'm guessing in parallel, in line with the wire running to the light?

[gordoflash]

Read up on capacitors if your not sure as they can pack a punch if you short them.
Important!!!
Do not charge them with more voltage than they are rated for.
But they will take as many amps as you can peddle into them.

[gordoflash]

2 supercapacitors 100F, 2.7volt in series, giving 50F at 5.4volts.
these are put in series to give you the voltage for your LEDs.
But you halve the charge capacity.

[sean882]

 Great idea!  I plan on doing this by the weeks end.  I'm thinking I'll run one wire, negative, to the screw under the water bottle holder, giving the bike's chassis a negative charge, much like with automobiles.  Then I'll only need to run one wire to lights, maybe a small buzzer... possibly turn signals.

[ookid]

Why did you use a stepper motor? Couldn't you use a regular motor, it would save a lot of trouble and circuitry.

[bassbindevil]

Wild guess: stepper motors have permanent magnets, and no brushes, so when you spin one it acts as an AC alternator. Lack of brushes is good, because brushes spark, wear out, and won't work so well after being exposed to water or road dust.

[TopCatTC]

I need to build something like this for next summer once I get my Bike trailer-tent finished. I'll need power for lights/Nokia N95 recharges etc. Sad thing is all that wiring up of diodes and stuff is all Greek to me? Question 1. You seem to have scoured around for a lot of the parts for your project, couldn't you have got any of the resistors/diodes etc out of the old printer that you got the motor from? Question 2. I was wondering if this could be improved upon? I thought that instead of a wheel you could use a chain from a sprocket on the back wheel? That way there's no friction on the wheel and when you peddel the chain would turn the motor? Just a thought. Good job though Tom

[kanuz]

I have two questions (I don't know so much about electronics): 1. ¿Why didn't you used a 7805 or a non variable regulator? 2. ¿The batteries really get recharged? Because they say "DO NOT RECHARGE" Anyway, nice project.

[dbc1218]

I used the variable regulator because I needed 3V not 5V like the 7805 and if I ever got a 6V light I could just change the resistors. I using rechargeable batteries so yes they can be recharged.