Charging On the Move - via Passenger Bike Pedals?

Artric · 02-16-2011, 01:07 PM

So, I've had this crazy thought for quite some time. And with my Insight stripped down to its "bare necessities", the crazy thoughts just seem so much more do-able, so I'll just throw this one out there.

I want to put pedals in the passenger footwell (optimally removable if possible) that would charge the HV pack. From some very, very, very basic research, it seems that they can potentially put out as much as 300w of power (which is around what the car takes via Kill-A-Watt when charging at 1.4A).

Obviously, there's limited space. Then you have to find someone crazy enough to actually do the pedaling (I'm crazy enough, but I'm not sure that my regen efforts would be enough to make up for my girlfriend's lead foot).

But... is it at all possible? I obviously haven't thought it through. It's not one of the dozen priorities that I should be working on, just a distraction.

What do you guys think? Would it be possible at all to implement? Obviously not practical, but possible? I'd love to be able to drive a couple hundred miles (or be driven), get a workout, and keep my battery charged all at once. It's a win-win-win, no?

Someone please think of the obvious reasons why this wouldn't work so I can get it off my mind and move onto more productive stuff.

Thanks!

**MN Driver** · 02-16-2011, 01:34 PM

You wouldn't get enough power for it to make a reasonable dent in your mileage. I'm not sure how there would be enough room to actually pedal considering the pedals would have to be set back and the glove box is so low. I just don't see how there is enough room for it. Also, wiring it in and the losses for converting the rather slow pedal motion through gears to a faster motor and then conversion to pack voltage just doesn't leave much power left. You would be better off riding your bike to where you want to go.

CycleDoc · 02-16-2011, 02:22 PM

Here's a rig that can put out "up to" 300 watts,
(not likely, except maybe for Lance A.).

Bicycle Generator.* The Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bicycle Generator.

gsfent · 02-16-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artric

I want to put pedals in the passenger footwell (optimally removable if possible) that would charge the HV pack. From some very, very, very basic research, it seems that they can potentially put out as much as 300w of power (which is around what the car takes via Kill-A-Watt when charging at 1.4A).

Obviously, there's limited space. Then you have to find someone crazy enough to actually do the pedaling (I'm crazy enough, but I'm not sure that my regen efforts would be enough to make up for my girlfriend's lead foot).

Not sure about that one.

Don't mean to hijack, but I always wondered why one of our resident guru's didn't try for a solar charger that is roof mounted, ( or better yet, make it part of a sunroof conversion!) that would charge the battery pack while in the sunshine. Not sure how much power could be gottin out of a small grid for the roof. I seem to remember someone (Mike D?) doing something with the rear hatch, but don't recall a sunroof type conversion.

Since you seem to have some time on your hands........

Regards,
Jerry

**MN Driver** · 02-16-2011, 06:36 PM

I think Mike still has some solar panels on the hood of his Insight, not sure if they were connected but its come up on the forum before.

I rarely park my car in the sun so solar panels wouldn't help me too much but it would take quite a bit of sun from a sunroof sized panel to amount to much. The amount of energy gained with solar would be better if it had enough time, such as a full day in the sun while at work or otherwise parked where there is enough time to gather the solar energy.

Artric · 02-16-2011, 07:21 PM

The thing about solar panels is... hot car charging in the sun =

But anyway, 200w should give about a 1A charge - that's quite significant. Especially for those trips where your distance is just too long to maximize MIMA and stay in the 100MPG club. Well, guess that's what parallel battery setups are for!

RobertSmalls · 02-16-2011, 09:24 PM

200W is about the same as the difference between running with your headlights on vs off. The fuel savings would be minor but quantifiable. Now, have you looked at whether you have room for a recumbent bicycle in your passenger seating area? Where are you going to get a passenger who's willing to pedal HARD without asking you to turn on the A/C, or at least the blower? How much extra weight would you be hauling around all the time for the small benefit some of the time?

Filed under "interesting, but ultimately silly idea".

joecvt · 02-17-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artric

I want to put pedals in the passenger footwell (optimally removable if possible) that would charge the HV pack. From some very, very, very basic research, it seems that they can potentially put out as much as 300w of power (which is around what the car takes via Kill-A-Watt when charging at 1.4A).

I just got a flashback memory of watching Gilligan on the bicycle The Professor built to generate power.

The Professor had limited resources on that island but was still able to make a prototype Insight (very very early stages before aerodynamic testing in the wind tunnel):

Notice the wheel splats over the rear wheels

I can hear it now......faster Gilligan, faster....

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

**Roger Crier** · 02-21-2011, 03:55 PM

The best way to get power out of a human is to use a rowing style machine. Much better than pedals.

Just chuck out the standard passenger seat and fit a tiny sliding one, then fit a bolted down pair of shoes in the foot well......a bit of string to a Sturmley Archer dynamo from an old bike and there you go.....

Oh, perhaps the driver will also need a whip for those low voltage moments in the journey.

Cobb · 02-21-2011, 09:43 PM

Art, if you do not want any passengers, would it be easier to just remove the seat or are you going for a Ron Goldberg invention?

Hey, let me ask you this, when you have that charger on with an inverter and a battery, can you see any measurable difference in fuel economy? That should give you the answer even if you can get 200 watts if it is worth it.

My "brilliant" idea is to use a 5th wheel like Mike DB2K e-wheel, but its an or several alternators that are activated withthe brake light switch. They dump power into a battery and further brake the car. Then this power is used elsewhere to keep it going.