[Noisebridge-discuss] Bike generator or alternator?

[Joseph Brenner]

Typically, a "generator" implies it's DC output, and an "alternator"
implies the output is AC.
To charge a battery, you need to "rectify" the output from an
alternator to fake DC, but
that's more efficient because you get to use the full cycle.

There's a bunch of other issues... you probably want a "deep discharge
marine/rv" battery--
and the last time I messed with this kind of thing, there was no good
substitute for Sears Die Hards--
and you'll want some sort of voltage regulator to keep from overcharging...

There's a bunch of web pages like this around that talk about this stuff:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-charge-a-12v-battery-with-an-exercise-bicycle

On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 10:20 AM, Robert Benson <sf99er at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm building a 12v bike generator out of a stationary bike exercise stand.
> Does anyone (jake) know if a car generator or alternator is better or what
> the differences are in output? thx
>
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