Build a Bicycle Generator Course

This course will focus on generating electricity from pedal power, although we will cover mechanical systems.
Intro to pedal power: different designs, why use pedal power, what can pedal power do?
Choosing the most suitable design - what do you want to achieve? Portability? Power generation? Rotational motion?
Health & Safety (rotating things, welding, electrical systems, batteries, use common sense etc).
Electrical systems:
Introduction to Electronics - V, I, Power Energy
Generators.
Voltage Regulation - Why is it needed? (due to variable voltage from variable rotational speed)
Voltage Regulation - three main types - (1) user does it (very difficult to have stable voltage, problems with over voltage), (2) Shunt regulation (use electronics to dump the power- waste of power sometimes) (3) DC DC converter (good as long as input is within voltage range. Expensive)
We will build three systems, one for each of these voltage regulation systems.
Energy Storage:
Using Capacitors
Using Batteries
Wiring diagrams.
Mechanical systems:
Speed required for operation? This greatly affects design.
Rotational motion transmission - chains, pulleys and belts, toothed belts, rollers.
Stands – Convert off-the-shelf equipment.
Stands – DIY stand.
Talk about multi-bike systems.
Pedal powered afternoon party!