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Old 01-15-2009, 11:00 PM   #9 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,527

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 65.39 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
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oldpecan: a wheelchair motor would be a good choice since it's probably 24v, which means you won't need crazy RPM to get 12v out of it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bikin' Ed View Post
My suggestion would be to get a smoother tire to enhance contact w/ the motor. My guess is that it would make it much more efficient.
A slick would definitely make it easier. The tire-side-contact of the generator hub is far from ideal. But the goal was to make do with stuff I already have, or could easily scrounge, and also to retain the bike's usability - pluck it off the stand and ride it up slippery, snowy hills if desired.

I mounted the motor/generator and did a test pedal tonight ... and blew out a 6v light bulb. Whoopsies.

Also posted details on how I made the stand: Building a pedal power bicycle generator, ghetto style - EcoRenovator

Goal for this weekend is to recharge my camera batteries... WITH! MY! LEGS! Woo.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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