What would this sort of generator be able to energy directly, as good as how good could it be used to assign batteries in a battery grid?
specs: name – FSW50 50 watt palm holder portable generator
25 v (2amps) supply as good as 30v (1 amp) charging.
Any one more info upon what usual appliances requirments (in propinquity to self-powered generators such as this which would be harnessed to a still bi-cycle) would be, have been welcomed. Thank you
#1 by hevans1944 on November 22, 2009 - 2:04 pm
This is a Chinese military surplus hand-cranked generator designed to power a field-radio. There is a picture of it here:
http://www.majorsurplus.com/FSW50-50-Watt-Handcrank-Portable-Generator-P14356.aspx
It (probably) produces direct-current voltage at 30 volts and 1 ampere for re-charging a field-radio battery pack when the radio is not in use; and 25 volts at 2 amperes when used to directly power the field-radio without charging the battery, i.e., with the radio on and possibly transmitting. This is not the voltage that typical household appliances require.
Most household appliances are designed to operate only on 115 volts, 60 hertz, alternating current. You could convert the DC output of the hand-cranked generator to AC with a power inverter, but the end result would provide probably less than 40 watts after accounting for inefficiencies and losses. About enough to run a radio or a low-wattage light bulb.
This generator is not a very practical means of producing power for recharging a battery grid from human muscle power. Your arms will get tired very quickly cranking those handles, even with the attached bench to sit on. As another poster said, this would work much better if attached to a stationary bicycle, because the large leg muscles are more efficient in producing mechanical energy. A recumbent-style would be even better. Even so, cranking out enough energy to sustain a 50-watt power level requires a LOT of effort.
The human body, acting as a heat engine converting food into body heat at 98.6 F, produces about 100 watts of power, most of which is radiated from the head as infrared energy. When you increase that load by fifty percent you will definitely get a workout.
As a reserve power generator for use when grid power fails, this generator leaves a lot to be desired. Although it could be used to manually re-charge a pair of series-connected 12-volt lead-acid batteries during an extended power outage, I think you would have more serious problems to consider if that occurs. A gasoline-fueled, internal combustion engine driven, 115 vac alternator set would be more practical for emergency use. Unfortunately, they can be quite expensive if sized to handle a typical household appliance load (refrigerator/freezer, microwave oven, television, lighting, etc.).
#2 by Brian J on November 22, 2009 - 2:04 pm
A 40W lightbulb would be safe and easy to think about. The typical appliances demand much more energy
#3 by billrussell42 on November 22, 2009 - 2:04 pm
You do not state if this generator delivers AC or DC. I’ll assume DC.
So you can use any load that will work on 25 volts DC (not very many that I know of)
Most appliance require 120 VAC or 240 VAC at quite a few watts. You cannot run these.
If you have the right type of battery charger, yes, it could charge batteries. How well and how many depends on the battery type, size, and type of charging circuit.
#4 by af490 on November 22, 2009 - 2:04 pm
Looks like your generator is rated at 25V at 2 amps or 30v at 1 amp. Theoretically you could charge a battery so long as it’s under 24V – such as 2 common lead-acid car batteries in series. You could possibly power a notebook computer, some DC lighting, or very small appliances.
Practically speaking that would be a bear. Cranking out 50W with your hands is hard work, and you’d be hard pressed to keep it up for more than a couple or a few minutes! Perhaps you could charge batteries for an emergency radio. Then you could crank for a minute or two, and have power for the radio for a couple of hours. Radio receivers typically don’t take too much power to operate.
A generator attached to a stationary bicycle is more useful. A person could crank out 50w or 150w for a longer time. Leg muscles are more powerful and sustainable than arm muscles.