Pedaling and cranking operated power generator for small home appliances

Electrical energy has and will continue to be of concern because of availability, cost and environmental issues. There will always be the need to source and tap energy from numerous sources to supplement these gaps. This research was built on the premise to tap energy from pedal operated bicycle for small appliances at homes especially for rural areas. The design was made such that energy can be tapped while the bicycle was ridden or in a stationary position. The conversion process involved riding or cranking from the pedal to the alternator, which is transmitted to the battery and from the battery to the inverter, where direct current was obtained and served for the loads. The voltage obtained depended on speed, varies from 9.8V to 20 V and was able to power four mobile phones, two laptops for about 4.2 hours from 114 watts. This is a significant saving for those living in rural areas as well as low income earners.