Pedal Power
Today, with the heavy use of automobiles combined with the burning of fossil fuels, increasing problems are affecting human health and climate change as a result of air pollution. Pedal power energy has been in use since the nineteenth century. Aside from transportation, pedal-power energy can be applied to a tremendous variety of jobs that contribute to less pollution and conserve energy in the home. Pedal power uses the most powerful muscles in the body: the quads, hamstrings, and calves, converting ninety-five percent of exertion into energy.
Many tools and appliances can be run directly with mechanical energy. With an old exercise bike, a generator, and a fan belt, human energy can be converted into Direct Current (DC) electricity. Some examples of tools that can be operated by pedal power are the table saw, band saw, meat grinder, wood carver, water pump, thresher and winnower, stone polisher, lathes, and pottery wheels. Appliances such as a juicer, grain mill, butter churn, and washing machine can also be used with pedal power. Here at CCAT, pedal power is used to run a blender, coffee grinder, TV/VCR, drill press, grinding wheel, and a multi-bicycle generator. You can exercise, save energy, and make a smoothie all at the same time!
How To Do It Yourself
By Joseph Russavage
Pedal Powered Innovations | mirror
By Bart Orlando
Pedal Power: Spinning for the Future
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Ben Erickson
Computer
Powering a Laptop Computer at CCAT
By Yvette Garcia, with technical advice from Bart Orlando
Human-Powered Energy Generator
Human Powered Energy Generator
By Ben Erickson
The Human Energy Converter at CCAT
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Ben Erickson
Kitchen
Plans for A Pedal-Power Bike & Blender [PDF 3.8KB]
By CCAT Staff, HSU Engineering Students, and Bart Orlando
CCAT's Pedal-Power Blender
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Ben Erickson
Television
CCAT's Pedal-Power Television
Project by Bart Orlando and HSU Students, written by Ben Erickson
Washing Machine
Setting Up a Pedal-Powered Washing Machine
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Amy Preuit,
Pedal-Powered Washing Machine Schematic [PDF 412.1KB]
By Mathew Rhode (Fall 2000)
Pedal-Powered Washing Machine
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Ben Erickson
Workshop
CCAT's Pedal-Powered Saws
Project by Bart Orlando
CCAT's Pedal-Powered Drill Press
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Ben Erickson
CCAT's Pedal-Powered Grinder
Project by Bart Orlando, written by Ben Erickson
How to Build a Human-Powered Belt Sander [PDF 12.3KB]
By Jeremy Svehla
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