Hand Crank Generator

[CSK22]

Pocket Socket Hand Crank Generator K TOR | eBay

Does anyone know if a product like this works? Do you have anything similar? Seems useful without any gas or fuel!

 

[Krogo]

They work. Not sure what you plan to do with 10 watts though. Charge a cell phone? Crank the sucker for an hour and get back to me.

My issue with devices like this is the loss in Inverting to 120V AC then converting 120V AC to 5V DC (charging phone, ipad, etc...) Why not charge straight to 12V SLA battery then use DC to power DC devices. A small Bucking converter to power USB devices etc.. Not to mention the large number of devices that already have "Car Chargers" or 12V inputs in addition to 120V AC inputs makes this solution far more palatable. You can make your own SLA crank charger with a treadmill motor or put that treadmill motor on a stationary bike for some real charging power. Now you don't have to give yourself carpel tunnel to charge your IPad.

 

[paddling_man]

We must attach it to a bicycle!

 

[churchmouse]

We must attach it to a bicycle!

Not with Gilligan running amok.

Edit...Ginger or mary-ann???

 

[paddling_man]

Mary Anne... every time.

 

[danbb]

I've always thought that a car alternator attached to an exercise bike would be the best way for human power, you can get a 40-60 amp alternator pretty cheap from most auto parts stores, and an inverter if necessary

 

[shibumiseeker]

I've always thought that a car alternator attached to an exercise bike would be the best way for human power, you can get a 40-60 amp alternator pretty cheap from most auto parts stores, and an inverter if necessary

About the best you are going to be able to sustain is about 50-75 usable watts. If you are in shape you might be able to do it for an hour or two. Not bad if you plan on exercising daily anyway, but not a good source of emergency power long term.

 

[cook5oh]

About the best you are going to be able to sustain is about 50-75 usable watts. If you are in shape you might be able to do it for an hour or two. Not bad if you plan on exercising daily anyway, but not a good source of emergency power long term.

Dang! That cant power my xbox! How will I survive.

In all seriousness has anyone here ever used solar panels to power say like a chest freezer. I've always thought it would be a good idea in case of any kind of power outage. Cost? size? Seems like a much better (and easier) option than using hand cranks and bicycles.

 

[danbb]

Dang! That cant power my xbox! How will I survive.

In all seriousness has anyone here ever used solar panels to power say like a chest freezer. I've always thought it would be a good idea in case of any kind of power outage. Cost? size? Seems like a much better (and easier) option than using hand cranks and bicycles.

You'd need a whole lot of panels, a $190 kit from Harbor Freight will put out 45w, 10 of those would probably do a chest freezer (assuming you have a bank of batteries to power it during non-peak hours), so figure 2-3 grand. At that point, you're better off with a generator

 

[THard6]

reminds me of this.
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Shake-Flashlight--Batteries--Simply-Recharge/dp/B000637LTY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360129723&sr=8-1&keywords=shake+up+flashlight]Amazon.com: Shake Flashlight- No Batteries- Simply Shake to Recharge: Home Improvement[/ame]
I don't know.. it may be good for that one time use though?

 

[catfishjn69]

i bought one of these it can charge my cell phone when I am backpacing
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0071BTJPI/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00]Amazon.com: Ambient Weather WR-111B Emergency Solar Hand Crank AM/FM/NOAA Digital Radio, Flashlight, Cell Phone Charger with NOAA Certified Weather Alert & Cables: Home & Kitchen[/ame]

has a solar cell and a crank I also like that it has a weather radio

 

[mdemetz]

In all seriousness has anyone here ever used solar panels to power say like a chest freezer. I've always thought it would be a good idea in case of any kind of power outage. Cost? size? Seems like a much better (and easier) option than using hand cranks and bicycles.

They make 12&24V DC freezers

 

[jon5212]

Or... you can have a couple solar panels charge a bank of 4 deep cycle marine batteries, with a 10,000 watt AC inverter with those batteries also charging while your engine runs, Engine off, solar panel keeps it topped up.

 

[cook5oh]

I can always power it with my generator. It's probably much cheaper just buying a few propane tanks. Solar sounds cool but with those prices it seems impractical. I need to clamp an amp meter on my freezer and see how much power it really draws.