Anyone seen a stainless exercise bike that would charge batteries at 10-20 amps?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by StuM

TANSTAAFL

I had to Google it, but that it is a nicer way of stating Newton's first law. I'm pretty sure Newton would approve.

Matt

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Draikhyan

All i can think of are the old hand powered 12V generators.

https://www.readymaderesources.com/c.../prod_325.html



Of course they can be powered by foot as well.

But according to the link, they are only good for 30-50% of the output of the cycle discussed earlier,so you are looking at around 2-4 amps

[C.Karo]

You guys always amaze me! Sailors / Rock

[Helia 44]

ALRIGHT, I GIVE UP, ENOUGH ALREADY.. HEH HE...

I had always wondered, and since I have the room now it became a reality. I just thought, hey two birds with one stone... Fitness and on the 250 days a year I do not use heat or air conditioning with the genset that would take care of all charging, the fitness could feed the monster a bit too...

Alright, I have had the other energy supplements, wind and trolling generator combos even, and solar on many yachts since the early 1980's. I just thought this was an idea I had always wanted to try. But at only 8 amps, it is not worth the bulk or hassle..

On the solar side, I am running an experiment on a flat flexible panel on a white fibreglass surface with similar heat sink characteristics as the Helia deck... On the white core FG canopy on my Dodge Ram, powering a Lithium setup running a South African stainless fridge freezer. It is 240 watts, putting out about 11.2 amps, with the zenith of the sun not at its highest declination yet. That and my folding portable panels, 2- 120 amp sets fold up to canvas sized briefcase, those take care of that..

Thanks to all that replied, Helia 44, flushing that idea down the gurgler... !

[roland stockham]

I Think this is a really neat idea! Speaking as a nurse I would say the cardio exercise is way more important than the power output but I can see it as a great extra incentive. I also use to work with a bike team and all of them had static bikes set up for winter training. The way they did it was to use a standard bike on rollers. Internet or a local specialist bike shop will have a range of training rollers and it is a simple job to set the bike on the rollers. That way you can train on board or un-clip the bike and use it for local trips, shopping etc and get even more benefit! The standard rollers use an air brake to provide but it should be very simple to swap this for a small generator designed for a wind geny which should be ideal. You can then use the gears on the bike to find the speed for the workout you want. Absolute max is in the 3-400watt range but this would be for a fit 20yr old. I would look at something around 200 if possible. Does not matter that much as you can use the gears to adjust output which will depend on how fast the back wheel is going not how fast your legs turn.

[AussieWayne]

Originally Posted by Helia 44;
On the solar side, I am running an experiment on a flat flexible panel on a white fibreglass surface with similar heat sink characteristics as the Helia deck... On the white core FG canopy on my Dodge Ram, powering a Lithium setup running a South African stainless fridge freezer. It is[B

240 watts[/B], putting out about 11.2 amps, with the zenith of the sun not at its highest declination yet. That and my folding portable panels, 2- 120 amp sets fold up to canvas sized briefcase, those take care of that..

Helia
That's interesting can you tell us more about who makes a 240 watt FLEXIBLE solar panel, size and cost? Although 11.2 amps seems a little light on output.
AussieWayne

[fozrunner]

If you want to have it for exercise and could set it up that would be great. When I was training for Ironman I would ride 3-5 hrs at just over 200 Watts (about 3 W/kg), but I was super fit compared to now (although still in my early 50's) and I ate a lot! Economically it doesn't make sense, but if you want to keep fit and use it as a training/fitness incentive, well, why not!

[Helia 44]

Originally Posted by AussieWayne

Helia
That's interesting can you tell us more about who makes a 240 watt FLEXIBLE solar panel, size and cost? Although 11.2 amps seems a little light on output.
AussieWayne

Hello AussieWayne, you are down in my choice area. I love Sanctuary Cove, and my choice haul out yard, best I have seen IN THE WORLD is the Boatworks place.. Never imagined a haul out yard with such facilities and Businesses, and even sheltered bays that big, all User Friendly with a restaurant and showers?? Love it!! I am ten hours to the north on the Sunshine Coast, and will go down there for Boat Shows and Haul Outs, and PARTY!!

Now in answer to your question, I do not want to enter into any commercial workings or referrals of any kind... No offence... I mean I am big on all kinds of solar applications on mobile units for Stations, I have solar on a MAN truck in 24 v, I have it on a 15 ton Search and Rescue truck in 12v, I have it on a 16 ton Dog Trailer in 24 volt for a hydraulic Lift Gate, I have it running on my Dodge Ram, I am big on solar applications but I do not want to mix Business and pleasure. I will advise free of charge but sorry nothing else. I do not want to appear to anyone to have a commercial slant on my answers OK...

I mean I have more than 5000 panels on independent installations, I would have a solid 50 self sufficient Lithium battery systems running, with DC to DC chargers, and protective BMS (Battery Management Systems) and LVD (Low Voltage Disconnects) to protect the Lithiums.. And huge experience with the Marine gear and chargers and BMS and Monitors, but I do not want to get into anything but friendly advice. In this case I am only testing that particular panel and I do not want to give out any information on it as it may not be the right panel or application.. That particular one is my own R&D. If it passes my tests without to much heat degradation, my next test might be to see about walking on it...

Two things here: One, this time of year, without a Laminar Air Flow behind it to cool the panel, with the current Declination of the sun, 11.2 amps is about right and what you could expect with those deficits OK? I suggest you Google search what you can find on flat flexible panels and go from there..

Sorry Aussie Wayne, but I need to separate Business from Pleasure. I will advise on Lithium installations for instance, with the protective gear to safe guard the batteries, but not in such a manner that anyone can construe that I have any commercial link that will put a slant on my answers.

Kind regards, Helia 44

[Helia 44]

Originally Posted by fozrunner

If you want to have it for exercise and could set it up that would be great. When I was training for Ironman I would ride 3-5 hrs at just over 200 Watts (about 3 W/kg), but I was super fit compared to now (although still in my early 50's) and I ate a lot! Economically it doesn't make sense, but if you want to keep fit and use it as a training/fitness incentive, well, why not!

Fozrunner, maybe you are right... I am still contemplating. Maybe a Kayak? Fitness is a mild necessity for me... Maybe I will just go ashore and jog the beaches looking for shells and flotsam and jetsam... I have found some wonderful treasures over the years, well not really treasure but treasures to me. Shells from Hawaii to French Polynesia to Rarotonga... fabulous shells.. And fish floats from old glass to aluminium and plastic..in the Caribbean.. To boat parts... I even found a Safety Throw Ring labeled "Godfather" but could not find the boat.. heh he.. Maybe I go ashore and take up sand jogging on the beaches..

Cheers from the happy Owner of a Helia 44.... When I find better, I will trade her in (doubt it)... Regards from Australia

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Helia 44

Fozrunner, maybe you are right... I am still contemplating. Maybe a Kayak? Fitness is a mild necessity for me... Maybe I will just go ashore and jog the beaches looking for shells and flotsam and jetsam... I have found some wonderful treasures over the years, well not really treasure but treasures to me. Shells from Hawaii to French Polynesia to Rarotonga... fabulous shells.. And fish floats from old glass to aluminium and plastic..in the Caribbean.. To boat parts... I even found a Safety Throw Ring labeled "Godfather" but could not find the boat.. heh he.. Maybe I go ashore and take up sand jogging on the beaches..

Cheers from the happy Owner of a Helia 44.... When I find better, I will trade her in (doubt it)... Regards from Australia

Don't forget swimming for exercise. Can be combined with snorkling on the GBR. Fins/mask are great for exercise and aerobic fitness.

cheers

[Helia 44]

Originally Posted by downunder

Don't forget swimming for exercise. Can be combined with snorkling on the GBR. Fins/mask are great for exercise and aerobic fitness.

cheers

Thanks Downunder, I was a Padi level "Advanced Open Water" wreck diver, in another life. Now with a couple of close calls I am a bit phobic in deep or murky water.. So much so that I bought a SAMS suit (Shark Attack Mitigation Suit).. You can google that one.. I will not even dive on my boat unless it is clear water and I can see the bottom... No defence on my part, I know I am goofy about it.. But with their food source drying up it seems like they are getting a bit too friendly for me... heh he

But anyways, gotcha, good daily snorkle up in the shallows of the GBR. I will certainly be doing that.. Kind regards, Helia

[Sailingcouple13]

Where can someone get a ZAMS?

Sent from my SM-G900P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Helia 44]

It is SAMS, Google it, you get them shipped to you...

Mine is a very good wetsuit, in a colour and pattern that is invisible to sharks. Read about it on the internet. There is some good testing. The Sharks are attracted by the impulses in the water, but the final approach is visual and they only close their eyes as they actually bit to protect themselves.

There are three different shades for differing depths, and a different style for surfers that repels sharks.. Go on the Internet and google SAMS not Z like you wrote.. Anyway, it seems like a very good quality suit for Professionals..

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree here. Mankind's evolutionary advantage is that he thinks, not that he is strong. I get enough exercise sailing. If I gain weight while sailing, I start taking the graveyard shift. (nobody around and lots of work to do while on passage)

I like the way you think. If you are gaining weight while you are sailing either you have way too good a cook and too much food around or you aren't pulling your weight. I always lose a few pounds even when the food is good.

[Helia 44]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

I like the way you think. If you are gaining weight while you are sailing either you have way too good a cook and too much food around or you aren't pulling your weight. I always lose a few pounds even when the food is good.

Yea, you are right John... Always in motion, always active doing something.. This Thread was just about the idea I have had for years, now probably put to bed in the gurgler... Get away cruising for three months at a whack and I will probably be in much better condition... Civilization is what kills us, we (at least me) just live to good, as in eat and drink too much and sit around sedentary lifestyles too much.. Helia 44