> generate DC power by means of a stationary bike.
> Is there information/plans out there for this
> type of set up?
Hams aren't know for being in great shape. Maybe
this could improve our waist line. HIHI!
That aside, here's a pretty good page on the subject...
http://www.altogetherenergy.com/article1003.htmlBriefly, it says human output is typically 175-200
watts for short periods of time. Realistically, we
can produce 50-100 watts for several hours at a time.
Not bad for a QRP setup but not enough to run any
sort of high-power application or multiple radios.
Further, in order to produce a steady voltage, you're
either going to need a regulator or to pedal at the
same speed all day. Catching your second wind could
drive the voltage from 12V to 18V fairly easily. (Of
course if you're trying to bust through a pileup, a
bottle of Gatoraide may be just what you need.)
As someone who does a bit of bicycle touring, let
me say that folks wanting to generate power this way
should try it first and make sure to keep in good
shape. Just about everyone knows how to ride a bike.
Few people really know what it takes to make a bike
go more than 10 or 20 miles in an afternoon. An
afternoon's worth of operating could be like riding
a hundred or more miles.
Unless you're Lance Armstrong, a generator or a few
solar cells and some batteries look really good.
That said, it sounds like a pretty good project to
try. Maybe you could make some sort of dual-mount so
that your generator could either be powered by a bike
or a law mower motor. That way when you need a rest,
you can fire up the lawn mower engine and continue to
operate while resting.
Matt (k4mls)