Steve Bonine wrote:

Have you ever actually *used* one of those WWII generators? grin
[snip]

I've found some links to modern versions.

http://www.designthatmatters.org/new...rvardFinal.pdf
http://courses.ece.uiuc.edu/ece445/p...inal_paper.doc
http://web.media.mit.edu/~nitin/thin...pedalpower.txt
http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/17330
http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen.html
http://www.scienceshareware.com/bicy...erator-faq.htm
http://www.econvergence.net/electro.htm
http://www.alternative-energy-news.i...ews2006-01.php
http://www.bikefriday.com/pipermail/...er/003231.html
http://www.evconvert.com/article/free-ev-energy
http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_links.html

This was from a Google search for '"human powered" alternator pedal'.

Some really good info came up:

1. Alternators are only about 30% efficient (URL 2), so
permanent magnet DC motors would be a better choice for
long-term use. However, alternators are more easily
available and I'd like to keep them as an option.
2. There are a lot of designs for using an unmodified
bicycle to spin a generator. These are good because
any source of torque would work as well.
3. There are two types of info: practical plans, often
made for use in developing countries, and store-bought
gadgets that cost more than my FT-890. I've included both
types, but you'll have to dig a bit to get to the good stuff.

HTH. YMMV (pun intended).

ob.disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with, and don't know any of the
people or companies mentioned in these web pages. Nobody paid me to
reprint these URLs here, and I get no money or commission or anything
else from anything you buy. If you fry your nads trying to build one,
poison the environment for a thousand years, or lose your
fingers/hands/whatever, don't blame me. Use at your own risk. Don't try
this at home. Batteries not included.

--
73,

Bill W1AC

(Remove "73" and change top level domain for direct replies)

Bill Horne, W1AC wrote:
.....
2. There are a lot of designs for using an unmodified
bicycle to spin a generator. These are good because
any source of torque would work as well.

It always amazed me that exercise machines consumed
electriciy instead of producing it. Why not use the treadmill
to charge a ank of batteries for your ham rig?

--
J. Giles