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Bicycle Generators: Making your own electricity

By admin
On July 27, 2015
In Education
Tagged bicycle generator, energy bike

Sharing energy efficiency education to Northern Nevadan’s is one big thing that Envirolution prides itself on. You can expect us to bring our energy bike to every event we attend. From adults to little kids, everyone seems to love riding the bike and generating power to turn on all the different lights and appliances.

So how does it all work?

Energy Bike in Action
Energy Bike in Action

In the simplest terms possible, as the rider pedals the bike, they move the back wheel, the back wheel moves a motor, and the motor generates electricity, this electricity to transferred through wires to power a light bulb or an appliance. In energy terms, the chemical energy in your body powers your muscles in your legs to move the pedals which transforms the energy into mechanical. This mechanical energy moving the pedals moves the wheel which moves the generator. The generator transforms the mechanical energy to electrical energy, and through the use of a converter and inverter the direct current (DC) is transformed into alternating current (AC) that we then can use to light a light bulb or power a small appliance.

A Teaching Tool

Energy Bike Board
Energy Bike Board

Our energy bike board (picture 1) allows you to compare different types of light bulbs side by side. The first row has light emitting diodes (LEDs), the second row as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and the third row as two incandescent bulbs and an outlet to plug in small appliances like radios and fans. All of the bulbs that we use are 60 watt equivalent meaning CFLs and LEDs provide the same amount of light of the 60 watt incandescent that we are all familiar with. Through investigation with the energy bike and board, we find that it is easier to power the LEDs and CFLs because they require less power per bulbs. We are also able to light more of them at one time than we can we incandescent bulbs.

But I still have more questions…

Envirolution's Energy Bike
Envirolution’s Energy Bike

Don’t believe us? Or want to try it for yourself? Come try our energy bike at our next community event–sign up for our newsletter so that you’re always in the know. OR you could make your own bicycle generator! There are many styles to choose from, we have rounded up just a few examples:

  • Popular Mechanics
  • Instructables #1 using a car battery and back wheel
  • Instructables #2 using a car battery and belt
  • Comparing the different options

 

And of course bicycle generators are not going to be the silver bullet to all of our energy problems as this article from Low-Tech magazine thoroughly explains. However the bicycle generator does provide a teaching tool for energy transformation and light bulb efficiency. Also, did we mention it’s really fun to ride?

 

 

2015-07-27
Previous Post: Project ReCharge Finishes Year One
Next Post: LoadIQ and Project ReCharge

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Envirolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders and workers who will drive the growth of a sustainable economy.

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Today we partnered with Tesla for the 4th year in Today we partnered with Tesla for the 4th year in a row to celebrate Introduce a Girl to Engineering day; a day dedicated to inspiring and empowering young girls and showing them what an exciting career Engineering is.  We had over 1,200 girls register from four states, representing over 130 schools!  And we can't forget to mention over 200 volunteers helped out to make this day a reality! The girls received an interactive virtual experience and each participant received an event kit that included an exclusive Engineer Like a Girl t-shirt, and all the materials needed to build their own simple motor. They blew us away with their excitement and interaction, we answered more than 6000 questions. 
We did it!  We did not let a pandemic stop us from hosting this amazing event with our incredible partner Tesla. 

A huge thank you to all the participants, volunteers, and Envirolution Staff that helped make this event such a big success!

#Envirolution #Tesla #IGED2021 #redwoodmaterials #ROC #woodrogers
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is Today! Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is Today!
Envirolution wears Red 4 Ed to show support to all Envirolution wears Red 4 Ed to show support to all of the amazing, dedicated, and hard-working teachers out there! Envirolution's mission of inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders and workers would not be possible without teachers and we would like to express our sincerest appreciation for all that teachers do to change the world, one student at a time. 

#Red4Ed #teachersrock #steameducation
Today we are excited to spotlight our very own Lau Today we are excited to spotlight our very own Laura Scarselli! Laura is the project manager over Project ReCharge and also a huge nature-lover and has a passion for sustainability. As a Nevada native, it is important to Laura to help preserve the environment around her and one way she is doing that is through buying zero waste products such as laundry detergent and toilet paper. These products from @myearthbreeze and @whogivesacraptp not only serve our basic needs but also help keep plastic out of our landfills and waterways. Thank you Laura for your commitment to our environment and Earth!
Our Feature a Teacher fundraising campaign has com Our Feature a Teacher fundraising campaign has come to an end and we have raised an amazing $12,698.19! All of this money will go toward providing teachers with FREE Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math classroom materials, real world curriculum, and valuable professional development training. 

Throughout this campaign, we have loved seeing all the teachers that made an impact in people's lives. Teachers are, and have always been some of the most important and influential people in our lives and deserve all the support and love we can give them. We are so grateful that YOU helped support those teachers by supporting Envirolution. Even though our campaign has come to a close you can still support Envirolution through our donation link in our website. We hope that you all continue to show teachers in your life some love and appreciation by either calling them or drop off some goodies and treats! 

Thank you, everyone, much love from everyone at Envirolution!
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is going Virtu Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is going Virtual!

Envirolution and Tesla have partnered together to host this national event dedicated to inspiring young girls to pursue a career in engineering. On Feb 25, young girls will participate in this virtual event which will showcase a variety of engineering careers and the inspiring female faces behind them. Each student will receive all the materials needed to engage in the event including an awesome IGED T-Shirt! If you would like to purchase your own IGED shirt, click the link in our bio!
Through your support of our Feature a Teacher camp Through your support of our Feature a Teacher campaign we are able to continue offering materials and programs that teach students about STEAM concepts like energy transfer. 

You can donate now using the link in our bio to help support students and teachers with educational hands-on STEAM materials and training.
Did you know that Envirolution has engaged 145 tea Did you know that Envirolution has engaged 145 teachers and over 25,000 students in STEAM education and training and has provided them with over $280,000 in classroom materials!? 

Help us continue this momentum by making your year end gift to Envirolution's Feature A Teacher, a campaign dedicated to showing appreciation to amazing teachers and providing them with much needed professional development training and classroom materials for FREE. 

Thank you for your support of us, our programs, our teachers and our students.

You can easily donate via the link in our bio!
#Envirolution #featureateacher #donate #nonprofit
Breaking News! When we reach $20K in our Feature Breaking News! 

When we reach $20K in our Feature A Teacher campaign, our co-executive directors, Mike and Vanessa will jump into Lake Tahoe!  Oh and we'll be there with live footage cause we know you don't want to miss that! 

To donate now please visit https://feature-a-teacher.funraise.org/

#Enviroloution #featureateacher #donate #nonprofit
🍎We are still in the middle of our Feature a Te 🍎We are still in the middle of our Feature a Teacher campaign! A campaign dedicated to showing appreciation to all of the resilient and hardworking teachers out there. Make sure to donate to provide incredible teachers with much needed Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math classroom materials and training. Help us support teachers that inspire incredible moments like these! Link to donate is in bio.
By donating to Envirolution’s Feature a Teacher By donating to Envirolution’s Feature a Teacher campaign, you will help support amazing teachers who are inspiring and empowering the next generation. Your donation will provide them with FREE materials and trainings to continue engaging students in sustainability and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

Let's show our appreciation to all of the incredible teachers out there and let us know what teacher inspired you? 

Link to donate is in bio. 
#featureateacher #envirolution #educators #nonprofit #steam #steameducation #stem #stemeducation
It’s Giving Tuesday! This year has been especial It’s Giving Tuesday! This year has been especially tough and now more than ever, teachers are faced with new challenges and obstacles and are being asked to be more resilient, creative, and dedicated to their students and the role they play in shaping our future generation. It’s time to get the recognition they deserve! 

Envirolution’s Feature A Teacher campaign is all about honoring all of the amazing teachers who have impacted our lives. This #GivingTuesday consider giving to this campaign where all proceeds go towards providing teachers with FREE classroom materials and training! Text the number above to donate or go to the link in our bio!
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