Can you add two generators together to run off OF a bicycle?

Absolutely,  you can add two generators.  

Note:  Spinning the PPG-R300 or PPG-B300  generator in the clockwise (C.W)  direction  will give you a positive DC Voltage.   (This is from the point of view of the generator shaft pointing at your face.)  In this direction the red wire is referred to as the “Positive” wire and the black wire is the “Negative”  wire.  It’s always good to get a cheap Volt meter to confirm your Voltage polarity.      When the generator spins in the counter clockwise (C.C. W.) direction  the black wire of the generator now becomes the positive “+”  wire and the red wire  becomes the negative “-”  .   If you choose to operate in this condition then use tape to label your wires  clearly  so there are no wiring mistakes as you get further into your project.  

You have two options when you combine two generators together.  

OPTION 1 –  SERIES MODE – SAME DIRECTION

  Connect the two generators in end to end A.K.A. “series”. You may have done this already have at one point in your life you put two batteries into a large flashlight end to end. The positive of one battery was touching the negative of another battery. Remember that? This series configuration gives you twice the voltage as normal.  In this configuration with both gen1 and gen2 spinning in the same direction you would connect the red wire from gen2 with the black wire of gen1. The red wire from gen1 becomes the positive for the system, and the black wire from gen2  becomes the negative output for the system.   

OPTION 2 – SERIES MODE –  OPPOSING DIRECTION

If the two generators  are spinning in opposing directions where gen1  spins  C.W. and gen2 spins C.C.W.  then   you would connect the black wire from gen1 with the black wire from gen2.    

(OPTION 3 –  PARALLEL MODE – SAME DIRECTION)

 Putting two DC generators in this configuration  gives you more current carrying capacity  by a factor  of  2x.      The two red (positive) wires from gen1 and gen2  would be connected  and the two black wires from Gen1 and ge2 would be connected.   

OPTION 4 – PARALLEL MODE – OPPOSING DIRECTIONS

In this  scenario of having two generators spinning in opposing directions the wiring connections to be made would be to connect the red wire from the C.W. spinning generator  with the black wire of the C.C.W. and the black wire from the C.W. generator with the red wire of the C.C.W.  generator.     

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions.

Best wishes,  

Bradley Whaley  Electrical Engineer  – Pedal Power Generator