Pedal Power

Pedal Power for the Occupy Movement

To support the self-sufficiency of Occupy member sites, the Pedal Power group aims to facilitate the low-cost construction and effective usage of pedal-powered electrical generators and related technologies.

The goal for this design was low cost, with most materials sourced from Home Despot and/or local hardware stores. Can be built relatively easily by anyone with access to drill press and basic tools. Circuitry includes voltage regulator ($1.50 from digikey), a few capacitors/resistors, and a diode.

Contact Info

Group email: pedalpower@mit.edu

List admin: moallem@mit.edu

(** PLEASE DO NOT RELOCATE OR RADICALLY MODIFY THIS PAGE WITHOUT FIRST CONTACTING LIST ADMIN. KTHX **)

Parts/Materials List

"A-frame" bicycle stand

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Rear legs:  TWO (2) x 20" lengths of 1" x 1" (cross-section) rectangular steel tubing

• e.g., 
• Alternatively, can use up to 2" x 1"  (cross-section) rectangular steel tubingfor added stability

Rear cross-piece(s): TWO (2) x 12" lengths of 1" x 1" (cross-section) rectangular steel tubing  

• e.g., 
• Alternatively, can use single piece of 2" x 1" rectangular steel tubing

Front legs: TWO (2) x  20" lengths of 1-inch angle steel  '

• e.g., http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202183502/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Alternatively, can use 20" lengths of 1" x 1" rectangular steel tubing

Front cross-piece: ONE (1) x 16" (minimum, up to 30" maximum) long rectangular steel tubing, cross-section 1" x 1" (Note: If adding optional rubber feet, use longer front cross-piece for wider, more stable stance.)

Front-back connectors: TWO (2) x 20" long steel flats

[SPECIFY FASTENER HARDWARE!!! ]

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Rear-wheel (skewer) supports:

TWO (2) x 3/4" diameter (imperial size 3/4) socket cap bolts, length: 5" (Note: Can alternatively use hex-cap bolts; lower cost, but additional machining required)

FOUR (4) x size 3/4 Hex nuts

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Generator and mounting assembly:

ONE (1) x 24V DC motor (100 to 350 watt)

ONE (1) x heavy-duty door hinge

ONE (1) x strong L-bracket, at least 3" long on one side

TWO (2) x mounting plates (approx. 5" x 5", either steel or thick aluminum)

ONE (1) x roller bearings (should fit motor shaft perfectly)

ONE (1) x roller: solid aluminum cylinder, 1.25" to 1.5" diameter (Note: Can alternatively use Nylon cylinder with thin aluminum pipe as sheath)

[SPECIFY BRACKETS, FASTENER HARDWARE, AND DISTAL ROLLER SUPPORT!!! ]

[INCLUDE EXAMPLE LINKS!!!]

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Electronics:

ONE (1) xlow-voltage schottky diode

• e.g., http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/SR1045-TP/SR1045-TPMSCT-ND/2334476
• e.g. (alt), http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/MBR1645G/MBR1645GOS-ND/918588
• Note: Regular diode will work, but schottky diode minimizes power loss 

ONE (1) x adjustable positive voltage regulator

• e.g., 5-Amp low dropout (LDO) linear voltage regulator: http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/LD1084V/497-3413-5-ND/669183  [LD1084V Datasheet] 
• e.g. (alt), 7.5-Amp LDO linear voltage regulator:  http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/LT1083CP%23PBF/LT1083CP%23PBF-ND/888922 [LT1083 Datasheet]