The folks at pedalpowergenerator have added some step by step videos to the free diy section.

This setup takes advantage of an adjustable V-belt, which will cost you 50 bucks. You take the tire off your wheel and replace it with the V-belt to get maximum efficiency from the exerted energy. The Duracell power pack functions as a storage unit with a built in inverter and usually sells for a bit over a hundred dollars. The generator will cost you more depending on which one you choose, and all that's left is the charge controller and blocking diode, which can be had for under 100. I almost forgot the bike stand....which could be made from scrap material or you can just buy the industrial model.

I've been studying different versions of pedal power over the years and would say this configuration is the smartest one I've seen yet. If you add a small solar cell and reduce your use you might just make enough power to get you through the day.

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About us: Anna Hess and Mark Hamilton spent over a decade living self-sufficiently in the mountains of Virginia before moving north to start over from scratch in the foothills of Ohio. They've experimented with permaculture, no-till gardening, trailersteading, home-based microbusinesses and much more, writing about their adventures in both blogs and books.



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