Pedal Power Electricity Generator (Battery Charger)
A large number of users usually meet the shortages in grid-supplied
electricity by kerosene/petrol gensets. However, the gensets are
often expensive
for use by poor households. A Pedal-powered generator provides
a method of
generating electricity by means of a suitably modified bicycle.
Human / mechanical energy
is converted into electricity by means of a Direct Current (DC)
generator that
is connected by a chain to the flywheel. The energy created by
the DC generator can be stored in various types of dry/lead-acid
batteries.
Also, energy
that is stored within the battery can be utilized as DC current
for use in DC
appliances such as those found in automotive mobile homes. If Alternating
Current (AC)
appliances are in place, then an inverter must be used to transfer
the 12 volts of DC current
into the standard 230 volts of AC for usage by these appliances.
The unit can generate 80W power by pedaling for 1hr @40-50rpm,
which is enough
to
light
two lamps (10W) for four hours. Supported by KVIC (Mumbai), a prototype
of this type
of generator has been recently field-tested at Yusuf Meherauli
Centre, Tara Village, Raigad (Maharashtra) and is currently being
used at the
site of
Dapoli Engineering
Works in Konkan area of Maharashtra.
Reciprocating Double Acting Water Pump
This device consists of two reciprocating pumps, a flywheel,
cycle frame, chain and sprocket drive, and connecting rod. A single
person can operate
the pump.
Each pump can produce a discharge of about 24 lit/min. Discharge
of 48 lit/min (2880 lit/hour) can also be obtained at normal
operational (pedaling)
speed.
In the remote rural areas, where neither electricity supply nor
diesel engines are easily available, such pedal driven pumps
can be used as
alternative / standby for electric or diesel pumps for pumping
the water from well
or
tank
or nala (with a maximum suction head of 20 ft.). CTARA at IIT Bombay
has identified several sites in the Konkan area, where although water
is available for
use, electrical
pumps are beyond reach of the consumer. In such instances, pedal-powered
pumps can be put to use. Field performance of these newly designed
pumps will be
assessed at one of these sites soon.
Animal Driven Electricity Generator
This variant of the pedal-powered electricity generator uses
animal motion as the productive source. The prototype unit
has been developed
and tested
within
the framework of a KVIC-Technology Interface unit project at
IIT Bombay. The Proof of Concept (POC) design was installed
at Aarey
Milk Colony
(Mumbai) for
the initial testing. The team working on this project is exploring
joining a partner animal farm nearby to further test the feasibility
of the machine.
The
device requires a pair of bulls or buffalos for providing the
input power. Some of the attractive features of the contraption
are as
follows:
Organization (NGO or individuals or entrepreneurs) desiring
to utilize the prototypes for further testing and dissemination
can contact CTARA.
Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA),
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076