How to Charge a USB Device by Riding a Bike
In this day of awareness of global warming, people are looking for green ways to do everyday tasks. Everyone loves their iPod and their cell phones. Now you can charge your USB device by riding a bike. This eHow can help.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- 140F Ultracapacitor
- Voltage Regulator
- 2200uF Capacitor
- MintyBoost USB charger
- Maxon 90 motor
- 2 hose clamps
- Speaker wire
- Circuit board
- Zip ties
- PVC container (7 inches long and almost 3 inches wide)
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1
Choose a bicycle you wish to use to charge a USB device by riding a bicycle. Any bicycle will do.
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2
Secure the Maxon 90 motor to the bicycle. The motor should be near the brake mounts on the rear of the bicycle. You'll need a spacer, like a wooden ruler or a wooden paint stirrer, to keep the motor from touching the frame. Secure the motor to the frame with two hose clamps. The wheel of the motor should rest on the inner side of the bicycle's rear wheel when trying to charge a USB device with a bicycle.
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3
Run speaker wire from the motor to the circuit and secure it in place with zip ties. Create the circuit by attaching the wires directly to the 5A diode, then to the 2200uF capacitor and LM338 voltage regulator. Next, add the MintyBoost USB charger with the MAX756 and a 5-volt boost converter and couple it with a 22uH inductor. This will help you charge a USB device by riding a bicycle.
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4
Protect your circuit by making a container out of PVC. The container should be 7 inches long and almost 3 inches wide. Put end caps on each and with holes to admit the wires.
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5
Hook up your USB device and test it out. You should be able charge a USB device by riding a bicycle.
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