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101 comments on Electricity in Uganda

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jokuhl on July 4, 2007 - 9:17am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

"Every morning, I pedal to generate electricity. The Pedal Generator I ride charges batteries, that run an inverter, that produces 110v AC, that powers LED lights, the monitor on my computer, my cell phones, and many other small battery-powered things. It is the most inspiring workout you can imagine."

"Noisy but extremely efficient, I have powered 12v CHAIN SAWS directly (yes, while someone else cut wood with them) with this unit.(1) Pedaling position was similar to a bicycle. The seat is barely visible at the upper left of the photo, and the handlebars (dropped, as on a ten speed road bike) are at the upper right.

Burst output: 25 amps at 17 volts (425 Watts) at 25 years old, and 265 Watts at 52 years old."

http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen.html

-- I'm sure the particulars will vary widely with different setups, and of course, different riders, but it seems clear you can get both a workout and some useful charging with such a rig. Then, as someone mentioned 'kid power', there are the playground toys that have been used for pumping water in Africa and other parts, and could be used for other work. 'Kids, charge Mommy and Daddy's phones please!'
http://www.afrigadget.com/2006/06/04/playpumps/
(This also can be found through some United Nations programmes. This is just the first one that came up.

Bob Fiske

== More from David Butcher's site..

"There are many other possibilities that I can think of for this device. The efficiency and variable speed of the output are two features that can be exploited. Since it requires no fuel, and is not affected by time-of-day or weather, it would make an excellent Human-powered emergency generator, ready for any blackout. Here are some other devices that could be powered by the basic unit:

* Pedal powered charging system for portable "Jump Start" systems. These devices feature lights, air compressors, battery chargers, power meters, 12 Volt DC outlets, and of course jumper cables. The Portable Power station in the photograph was purchased at Costco for $49.95. It can be plugged directly into the 12 Volt DC output of the PPPM for charging, and then moved to wherever the power is needed. Add a small 110 Volt AC inverter (100-150 Watt) and you have everything you need for portable power. Run a laptop, TV, PA System, or any other small electrical device for hours from your stored energy.

* Pedal powered backup generator for solar electric systems or other off-grid power systems. With the newly available white LED as a light source, a few minutes of pedaling would be enough to create hours of light.

* Pedal powered biodiesel circulation pump or biodiesel transfer pump - direct drive, with no electricity and no battery. If you make biodiesel, and you wish to eliminate electric pumps from your biodiesel equipment, the Pedal Generator design is perfectly suited to circulate, agitate and then transfer a batch of biodiesel, and the power source is YOU!

* Pedal powered washing machine (this would be a tremendous workout, especially with the spin/sprint at the end!)

* Pedal powered clothes dryer (when combined with a simple solar hot-air collector, the pedals would tumble the clothes and move the air)

* Pedal powered whole-house ventilation fan (15 minutes in the evening to cool off an entire house)

* Pedal powered pump and watering system when combined with a cistern to store rainwater

* Pedal powered emergency sump pump - keep your basement dry during a power outage

* Pedal powered energy source to power astronomy equipment during stargazing. A PPPM in a pickup truck could provide a steady 60-100 Watt 12 Volt DC power supply, quietly, and keep the riders warm at the same time. Switch riders frequently to keep the whole star party warm. Don't even think of starting vehicles during the event!

* Pedal powered whole-house (central) vacuum cleaner - requires two people, of course

* Pedal powered backup circulation pump and backup air pump for tropical fish, expensive pond Koi or other animals requiring small but constant energy flows.

* Pedal powered generator, emergency bilge pump, crew-warmer and exerciser for marine use.

* Pedal powered air compressor (compressing air takes a LOT of power, and is not very efficient. This would work for small jobs only, like filling tires, staple guns, nail guns, caulking guns, small hand tools - no jackhammers!!)

* Pedal powered offset printing press, sewing machine (an ancient idea), hand tools (grinder, disk sander, buffer, drill, reciprocating saw, lathe), mulch grinder

* Pedal powered public address systems, projectors, or amplifiers for music - Radio Shack has a perfect unit for this! A single rider could power two of these with 12 Volts DC direct from the PPPM. Musicians, your green, portable PA system is finally here!

* Pedal powered Science Fair Project - anything from the efficiency of the unit, to the physiology of the rider can be studied. Human power generation is a vast subject with many possible areas of scientific exploration.

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mbkennel on July 4, 2007 - 3:54pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

In real reality, widespread availability of tools like those, and lack of conventional energy sources, will encourage large population growth especially in developing countries.

Just makes things worse.

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jokuhl on July 4, 2007 - 4:16pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

That's the silliest thing I've heard today.

unless by 'real reality' you're providing a 'double-positive', like "Yeah, right!"

Whatever it 'encourages', the lack of our current 'high protein' energy sources will be what no longer FACILITATES large pop. growth. The encouragement and discouragement comes from education and the stability of a society, by and large.

Bob

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Kevembuangga on July 10, 2007 - 12:36pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

widespread availability of tools like those,

This is the real killer of the idea : assuming that everything else will be "the same", i.e. availability of bike parts, electric motors, 12v chain saws!!!

Another idiotic delusion (alas!)

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robert2734 on July 10, 2007 - 2:49pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I don't get into this post-peak survivalist speculation because a) I don't know anything and b) I think we'll adapt and carry on.

But anyways, post peak there will be a hundred million 1.5kW electric motors for the taking in the form of starter motors from cars with empty gas tanks. I also wonder how much need there will be for a state of the art semiconductor fab. Can't we just loot the nearest radioshack?

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econguy on July 4, 2007 - 7:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Car batteries are probably about 60Ah, or 720Wh@12V. At 200W, a cyclist could charge the battery in about four hours, maybe five considering various losses. A normal car alternator could be used to convert bike energy to 12V DC to charge the battery.

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sunnyhenry on July 6, 2007 - 5:35pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

you need to also run a small dc generator, one that powers bike lights and connect it to the field on the alternator.
first it freewheels till you are going fast, suddenly you are peddeling against great resistance and generating eletrical power.

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