<div dir="ltr">Thx for the info & link. Looks like the NC25A Charge Controller may be better than a voltage regulator if you dump excess to aux battery. Still not clear on cause of alternator being more efficient when half it's cycle is blocked by diode(s). Anyway, I think I'll get an alternator instead of the generator I was planning to get. Thx again. Cheers<br>

</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 1:53 PM, Joseph Brenner <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:doomvox@gmail.com" target="_blank">doomvox@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>

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<br>Typically, a "generator" implies it's DC output, and an "alternator"<br>
implies the output is AC.<br>
To charge a battery, you need to "rectify" the output from an<br>
alternator to fake DC, but<br>
that's more efficient because you get to use the full cycle.<br>
<br>
There's a bunch of other issues... you probably want a "deep discharge<br>
marine/rv" battery--<br>
and the last time I messed with this kind of thing, there was no good<br>
substitute for Sears Die Hards--<br>
and you'll want some sort of voltage regulator to keep from overcharging...<br>
<br>
There's a bunch of web pages like this around that talk about this stuff:<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-charge-a-12v-battery-with-an-exercise-bicycle" target="_blank">http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-charge-a-12v-battery-with-an-exercise-bicycle</a><br>
<br>
On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 10:20 AM, Robert Benson <<a href="mailto:sf99er@gmail.com">sf99er@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> I'm building a 12v bike generator out of a stationary bike exercise stand.<br>
> Does anyone (jake) know if a car generator or alternator is better or what<br>
> the differences are in output? thx<br>
><br>
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><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div>