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Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

solar.lowtechmagazine.com

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Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#11

Post by micromacrofoot »

tocs3 wrote: post #2

Some things I would like to see are pedal controlled devices. Something like a pedal controlled wheelchair, not powered by the pedals just control the forward and back motion. My mother with sever arthritis can still pedal but has a very hard time walking. It would be a little exercise doing something that needs to be done (getting around). A pedal controlled remote control lawnmower would be nifty also.

many ebikes work this way, pedaling and the chain more or less signal the motor rather than provide meaningful power... though afaik none of them do backwards for obvious reasons

she might enjoy an etrike, though more for recreation than normal day to day

Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#12

Post by allenrb »

usrusr wrote: post #4

Needs "2011" in the title. For example the section about friction drive hasn't been true for about a decade now

Nobody would (or should, at least) be using a lead-acid battery for this in 2026, either.

Full-cycle efficiency should be higher now. And the inverter. And the generator.

Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#13

Post by rgmerk »

usrusr wrote: post #4

Needs "2011" in the title. For example the section about friction drive hasn't been true for about a decade now

Not to mention they’re talking about lead-acid batteries, which have been replaced for pretty much every application, except (for now) starter motor batteries for combustion vehicles, by the various lithium batteries.

Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#15

Post by chihuahua »

rgmerk wrote: post #13
usrusr wrote: post #4

Needs "2011" in the title. For example the section about friction drive hasn't been true for about a decade now

Not to mention they’re talking about lead-acid batteries, which have been replaced for pretty much every application, except (for now) starter motor batteries for combustion vehicles, by the various lithium batteries.

To be fair (as a joke), it's from Low Tech Magazine. Lithium batteries are too high-tech for them. They want you to power your mechanical blender, mixer, and other machines with a drive belt. Turn the drum of your washing machine with a wood fire heating the water.

Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#16

Post by analog31 »

Tanoc wrote: post #10
grebc wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where I used to live an elderly gent rode a very low to ground bike. Looked a lot like the silly motorbikes some peeps do. I imagine they’re out there for sale.

A recumbent bicycle perhaps? Often has pedals ahead of the front wheel, where you lay down in a hammock or moulded seat?

Yes, there are electric recumbent trikes out there, such as the Tadpole. A friend of mine got one after he recovered from a stroke and could no longer balance on a conventional bike. He rode it to work. It got him outdoors, with "anything is better than nothing" level of exercise.

Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#18

Post by Gibbon1 »

chihuahua wrote: post #15
rgmerk wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to mention they’re talking about lead-acid batteries, which have been replaced for pretty much every application, except (for now) starter motor batteries for combustion vehicles, by the various lithium batteries.

To be fair (as a joke), it's from Low Tech Magazine. Lithium batteries are too high-tech for them. They want you to power your mechanical blender, mixer, and other machines with a drive belt. Turn the drum of your washing machine with a wood fire heating the water.

Solar panels I think are too high tech for them.

I remember reading about low tech efficient cook stoves for poor countries and thinking the misses would rather have an induction burner, microwave, and an ice chest running off a solar panel.

Re: Commercially Available Bike Generators Are Not Sustainable (2011)

#20

Post by grebc »

Tanoc wrote: post #10
grebc wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where I used to live an elderly gent rode a very low to ground bike. Looked a lot like the silly motorbikes some peeps do. I imagine they’re out there for sale.

A recumbent bicycle perhaps? Often has pedals ahead of the front wheel, where you lay down in a hammock or moulded seat?

That's it!

Sorry I lacked the proper name, but yes they are about. And definitely look like they could help people certain health issues. Although getting down into it would be something to consider for older peeps.

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