BigFoot - 500 Watt Bicycle Generator + Stand

This generator system is a dual generator with two generators attached to a metal roller.   They are wired to a power meter and output power through a connector to a blocking diode.  Current flows from the blocking diode to the PDB  (Power Distribution Block).     The PDB  allows you to connect a portable battery power pack  using jumper cable clamps.  For example the Duracell or Jackaroo  lead acid portable power pack  is a good powerpack to charge with this pedal power system.   You do not need a charge controller for this system if you watch your Voltage and keep it under 15 Volts. 

This system allows you to charge up to three different batteries at one time using the power distribution block.    For example you may connect a Duracell powerpack,  a Stanley powerpack,  and a Duralast 80 Amp hour battery all at one time using the jumper cable clamps.

THINGS THAT CAN BE POWERED FROM YOUR SYSTEM

• A flat screen display

• Lights for your home

• Chargers  for up to 10 cell phones at one time (5W each) 

• Blenders

• Wheat grinder

• Laptop computer

• Desktop computer

• Water pumps

• Air compressors

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE A BATTERY

The data below is based on an assumption that you are an adult in good shape  able to put out 100 Watts of power  with a heart rate of  102 beats per minute which will result in about  8.3 AMPS.     If your battery is a portable powerpack  with a lead acid battery that has a 20 Amp Hour rating,  then  we can get the approximate charging time be dividing  20 /  8.3 =  2.4 Hours.   If you are trying to charge a 80 Amp Hour Marine Deep Cycle battery then the time to charge it from an empty state would be  80 AH / 8.3A =   9.6 Hours.  <p><p>If you have a battery that is Lithium you must contact us on how to charge it because if it gets too hot there may be an explosion.    In most cases you will have to install a 14V regulator for to charge a lithium  battery powerpack such as the “Jackery” model.   This model charges only at 2 or 3 amps so it takes 3 or 4 times longer to charge then a lead acid battery.   In other words even though this bike generator can put out 8.3 Amps,  the  Lithium  battery would only take what it needs  which is 2 to 3 Amps.   So the charging process can be much longer for Lithium batteries. 

WHAT GEARS TO USE:      Some people think that if they use the highest gear on a bike that they will put out more power.  This is not always the case.   Charging a battery is like climbing a hill on you’re your bicycle.   When you go to climb a hill, you must shift down to lower gears  to be able to pedal.  Charging a battery is the same thing.

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS:    This system takes about 5 minutes to setup.   Here are the steps: 

1. Open up stand and set it on the floor

2. Open up the clamping mechanisms on the stand

3. Lower the metal roller down to allow insertion of your bike

4. Inflate your rear tire to its maximum allowed pressure

5. Set the bike onto the stand with help of a friend if possible. 

6. Adjust the clamps such that the rear tire is centered on the metal roller. 

7.  Tighten the clamps down  with approximately 20 ft-lbs of force  –  or as hard as you can with your hands without causing personal injury or pain in your fingers

8. Plug the yellow power cord into the generator panel

9. Connect your 12V battery  or power pack  to the power distribution block using the jumper cable clamps

10. Get on the bike and pump your legs

11. Have some one watch the power meter in the back  to verify that you are putting out power.  For example, below we see that the meter is reading 13.43 Volts DC, 0.93A, 12.3W