Adam- Stickler

Based on prior comments I have scrapped the idea of running a pto style generator. I'm not sure what low voltage generators would need to run. Either way this sounds like it's a waist of time to build. I was going to build the wheel from wood and spare hardware. I like to keep things simple and effective so lets take this in a different direction. I have read some claims that a solar tracking array can improve charge. This sounds legit and part of the problem is I'm not getting the batteries completely charged in one days charge. Does anyone have any real life experience with these solar trackers?

I'm not foolish enough to believe in perpetual motion. I'm not saying I expect a wheel to continue forever after I start it. I know you exhaust more energy in than you get out. I'm just looking for sweat equity up front in order to have a break. The idea is to run a few power tools in a remote shop that has no electric. If solar isn't enough can I jump on the bike get this heavy wheel spinning at X speed that is 10 times faster than the generator needs so I have some time to do something and get back on before power fails. Sometime I would be working after the sun goes down so its either be done until tomorrow or find some way to recharge. Don't have money for more batteries so I'm hoping to use what I have laying around.

It seems the generator is the problem in this equation. So 12v batteries can be charged by an alternator that is easy to move just needs the rpm to generate. I haven't looked at the specs for a low voltage generator but that is an option. I just happened to have the generator so thinking I would use what I have. It seems like the idea of a "flywheel" does work it just needs to be matched. The idea is not to watch tv while I'm peddling but to top off the charge to batteries. I'm also thinking if you need to peddle at top speed for 2 hours straight then I cant physical do it. But if I can peddle top speed for 5 minutes and have a few minutes break while the wheel is coasting then it might be worth building.

The info I have looked at for the generator is 20hp and 540 rpm. The math I calculated a 4 inch gear on the generator with the ratio of an 8 foot wheel traveling at 24.5 rpm. 24.5 rpm equals 7 mph approximately. The wheel being heavy would take some muscle or a weight to get spinning but an object in motion is easier to keep in motion. So the 8 foot wheel being kept up to speed by the bike or a giant hamster. Could this be done and if so I would need to figure out how much weight the wheel needs to be. Too light and its easy to slow down and too heavy and I can't get it started. I hope that is more clear.

I have read some old threads on here about water wheels and they have been a little helpful, but I want to ask about a wheel that doesn't use water. Let me set a mental picture. An eight foot diameter wheel that is more like a giant hamster wheel. The outside of the wheel has gear teeth. Engaged with the teeth is a generator. Basic ratio calculations 8' wheel to 4" gear at 7mph would run the generator. Generator I'm taking specs from is a gen that would hook to a pto of a tractor and runs 10kw. Now, the wheel would be built as close to balanced as possible and would be gotten up to speed from peddling a bike. I realize there may need to be some mechanical issues work out, but does the idea have any merit? This would only be a short term way to generate power. I'm thinking to charge batteries if solar or wind power hasn't been enough to build a full charge. Also, if use get the wheel spinning you wouldn't need to peddle only to keep it up to speed. Pick this apart I really want to know if I have a decent idea or if it's pure crap.