Bike Powered Generator Using an Alternator

This is an Instructable on how to create a bicycle powered generator using a bike, an alternator, a car battery, a belt, and a wooden frame to connect all of the components together.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Tools:

- Drill

- Drill bits of many sizes

- Lug nuts

- Ratchet and socket set

- Large amount of 1-2 inch nails

- Circular saw

- Smaller washers

Materials:

- 2x4 wood (at least 20-30 feet of length)

- At least a 10 speed bike (set the speed to the lowest shift)

- Car alternator

- Car battery

- Drive belt (big enough to fit your back wheel and has enough space for the alternator). Depending on how many ribs are on the pulley of the car alternator, acquire a drive belt that can fit it (3 ribs on the alternator = 4 ribs on the drive belt).

- Wiring

- Car battery

- Inverter

Step 2: Preparing the Back Wheel

Remove the Tire from the Rim

1) Remove the bolts from both sides of the wheel, and completely remove the wheel from the bike

2) To remove the tire from the rim, create a slot between the tire and the rim with a flat object and go around the wheel. Carefully pry the wheel from the rim.

Insert the Drive Belt onto the Rim

1) Since the wheel is already out, wrap the drive belt onto the rim and make sure the drive belt has a much larger circumference than the circumference of the wheel. This allows for the alternator to also be inserted to the drive belt.

Attach the Back Wheel back to the Bike

1) Put the wheel back into the bike and use the ratchet to put the bolts back in more efficiently

Bike Powered Generator Using an Alternator - Step #2
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Step 3: Creating the Wooden Framework

1) Measure the length of the bike. One 2x4 piece of wood should be that length plus an additional 1 foot. This will make a more secure framework.

2) The width of the framework should about 2 feet. Cut 4 pieces of 2 feet of 2x4. These will create a better structural integrity of the framework.

Step 4: Attaching the Bike to the Wooden Framework

1) Depending on the bike, either find, or create a spot on the belly of the bike that can be attached to the wooden framework.

2) A middle cross-section of the framework can provide for a 2x4 beam that can be vertically screwed into the cross-section and a part of the bike

3) To secure it in place, it is recommended to use multiple screws to secure the bike in place.

4) If there are extra wood, use it to your advantage by making the bike more secure and balanced.

Step 5: Attach the Car Alternator to a Piece of 2x4 Wood

1) First, with the drive belt on the wheel, connect the remaining length of the drive belt to the alternator pulley.

2) Pull the alternator away from the bike until the drive belt is fully stretched and feels tightened.

3) Measure how far the alternator is to a cross section of the wooden framework.

4) That length should be the length of a piece of 2x4 wood.

5) Once that piece is cut, attach the alternator to the piece by fitting the alternator snuggly onto it.

6) Use the bolts and bolt the alternator to the very end of the wood. The alternator should be facing the right way if the pulley side of it is on the right side (if viewing from the bike).

Step 6: Connect the Alternator Component to the Wooden Framework

1) Align the alternator so that it is perfectly parallel and lined up to the bike wheel

2) The 2x4 connected to the alternator should be touching the wooden framework so it can be ready to be screwed in place.

3) Finally, screw the alternator and wood piece to the framework.

Step 7: Adding Car Battery and an Inverter to the Alternator

1) Once the alternator is attached to the framework, wire the alternator to the car battery, and then attach that to the inverter. This will invert the AC from the alternator to DC in the inverter.

2) The inverter may have power outlets to plug necessary electronics to test out the set up.