From: briang1@blueyonder.co.uk   
      
   But being blind and not wanting to hang of the back of a tandem, I still   
   think its a gooer. after all you can get useful battery charges from hand   
   cranked devices, it should be possible as i said originally to get a bit   
   more from pedalling and simply use it to charge up  AA rechargeable for   
   example. At least all your energy does not go into warming up a friction   
   plate.   
    Brian   
      
   --   
   From the Bed of Brian Gaff.   
   The email is valid as briang1@blueyonder.co.uk   
   Blind user.   
   "Vaughn"  wrote in message   
   news:jgme8q$bc2$1@speranza.aioe.org...   
   > On 2/5/2012 7:16 AM, Brian Gaff wrote:   
   >> New visitor here, so if its in an archive, sorry.   
   >>   Is there a relatively cheap device that can turn pedal power into a   
   >> charger   
   >> for batteries for phones or other devices? All this keep fit going on   
   >> seems   
   >> so wasteful.   
   >   
   > In my (brief) experience, about 50 watts is the most power a non-athlete   
   > could hope to generate for any length of time on a peddle generator.  As   
   > an old guy in only average shape, I have no problem peddling at 14mph for   
   > an hour at a time, which probably comes to about 50 watts output. The   
   > difference is, I'm doing it out in a breeze.  On a stationary bike you   
   > will likely need a fan to keep you cool while you are peddling. Guess how   
   > much power that will take?   
   >   
   > Now do the math!  At 50 watts, it would take you 20 hours to generate one   
   > kilowatt-hour, or about 15 cents worth of power.  As a further brain   
   > exercise, figure out how many hours you would need to peddle to pay for   
   > your equipment.   
   >   
   > Now you know why peddle-powered generators aren't common.   
   >   
   > Vaughn   
      
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