1

Chapter 1
The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

Almost all of todays tools and technology are made dependent of electric power.

Because of this, the majority of the people became electricity dependent. Problems arise

during brownouts for these tools and gadgets become useless. Chargeable devices in turn

have been proven to be a wise solution to this problem. By being able to function with

stored energy it can still provide comfort and convenience even without constant feeding

of electric energy.

The needs and wants cannot be satisfied with the electronics not charged, due to

several circumstances. As a result, many things that are needed to do are delayed and

people will have a bad day because of lack of activities.

This study aimed to create an alternative source of energy using the mechanical

energy from biking; an activity that people could do every day. By applying bicycle

mechanics to an alternator to convert the energy made by the rotation of the bicycle

wheel, electricity can be stored in a motorcycle battery. This study was conducted to test

the effectiveness of a power generator where people can use for recharging of electronics.

Statement of the Problem

General Objective

This study aimed to test the efficiency of an alternator as improvised power

generator in charging a motorcycle battery.

 2

Specific Objectives

It sought answers to the following questions:

1. How long will it take for the generator to charge 1 V of the motorcycle

battery?

2. How long will the motorcycle battery discharge 1 V using a 5-Watt bulb?

3. Is using the improvised power generator efficient in charging a motorcycle

battery in terms of:

a.) Elapsed time the motorcycle battery to charge 1 V

b.) elapsed time the motorcycle battery discharge 1 V using a 5-watt bulb?

Null Hypothesis

The alternator has no significant effect as an alternative power generator.

Significance of the Study

The study was conducted to provide the society an alternative power source. This

can serve for emergency purposes especially during brownouts. Knowledge of converting

mechanical energy to electrical energy can benefit the people who do not have the

capacity to buy commercial generators.

This study aimed to provide immediate availability of electricity needed to

provide light especially during emergencies and also during brownouts which

occasionally happens during rainy seasons and typhoons. It may also be used as pre-
 3

storm precautions where it can store a power for utility use such as charging of our

phones which is essential for communication and rechargeable flashlights.

Scope and Delimitations

The study focused on the effectiveness of using the alternator as an improvised

power generator. Effectiveness is measured in terms of elapsed time of discharging 1 volt

of the motorcycle battery and elapsed time of discharging 1 volt of the motorcycle battery

using a 5-watt bulb. The study did not seek to compare the efficiency of the improvised

power generator to other generators, commercial or not.

The set-up was done at Mr. Raul Barreras house at Dirita, Iba, Zambales. The

study was conducted at Gladyss Faye Pomantocs house at Dirita, Iba, Zambales from

June 20 to September 28, 2014.

 4

Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature

Based on the series Understanding the Alternator by Professor Kevin R.

Sullivan, there are four wires essential for the system. The alternator output wire that

supplies the current to the battery; the ignition output that turns on the alternator

assembly; and two wires that are used for monitoring and warning systems. Modern

alternators are made as a whole unit meaning even the regulators are inside the alternator

for easy remedy and replacement, older designs have their regulators externally.

Alternator drive pulleys either are bolt on or are pressed on the rotor shaft. It has two

internal cooling systems while many manufacturers make their alternator products with

external fans. The regulator monitors the battery and stator voltages, the regulator

controls the electricity produced by the alternator. The Diode Rectifier Bridge is

responsible for the conversion of AC voltage to DC voltage.

According to Nathan Eagle and Benjamin Olding, unlike a dc motor an alternator

has two concentric wound coils instead of permanent magnets. One of these is the stator

coil which does not rotate and is located outside. The other one is the rotor coil the one

that rotates and is also referred as the alternators field. An electromagnet is created

when current flows through the field coil. Electricity is generated at the stator coil. The

alternating current has a frequency equal to the frequency with which the alternators

pulley is rotating. A battery is needed to be connected at the alternator to supply the

initial current. The field coil draws current from the battery only until the alternator is

capable of producing its own electricity.

 5

Pedal or bicycle generators could have a very high potential for public use. The

little power it generates compared to the amount of electricity we use in our daily

household lives could go a long way. What could help charge up or even run our phones

and laptops and other electronics could help lose up the bill. People and into this because

of its benefits for them because of the exercise and minimizing of money spent on bills

and environment because it proves as a very acceptable alternate energy sound.

As stated by saullopez52, the project will help people improve their engineering

skills and at the same time, be able to generate electricity for powering light bulbs, use of

appliances and low-powered charging gadgets.

The project converts chemical energy of ones body in to mechanical energy in

the bicycle and then into electrical by the motor. The diode allows the current to flow in

one direction only then the dynamo produces current through the leads because of the

spinning of tires and stored in the battery. After the set-up, it can now be used for

charging low-powered gadget.

 6

Chapter 3
Methodology

Gathering of materials

One (1) 12V DC-type alternator, one (1) 12V motorcycle battery, one (1) bicycle,

one (1) 5-watt bulb, a bulb socket, a switch, six (6) pieces of 27 cm steel bar, two (2)

pieces each of 17.5 cm, 16 cm, 7.5 cm, and 31 cm flat bars, one (1) each of 25 cm, 5 cm,

20 cm and 13 cm flat bars, and two (2) pieces each of 35 cm and 10cm wires were

gathered.

Assembling the Power Generator

The interior and exterior rubber of the rear tire of the bicycle was removed to

expose the rim. A stand was constructed (see Fig.1) to elevated the rear tire of the

bicycle which allowed free rotation of the rim without moving the bicycle. The alternator

was positioned in the stand constructed (see Fig. 2). Two (2) 35 cm wires were connected

from the alternator to the battery with respect to the positive and negative ends of both

devices. The battery acted both as the power bank and exciter to create a magnetic field

inside the alternator. To control the flow of electricity, a switch was connected to the

alternator via two (2) 10 cm wire while the receptacle was connected to the battery (see

Fig. 3).

To make the generator work, a rubber was attached to the bicycle rim and the

shaft of the alternator to rotate and produce electricity. Wires were then connected from

the positive and negative ports of the battery to the bulb socket where a 5-watt bulb was

connected.
 7

Fig. 1. The Stand to elevate the bicycle and to hold the alternator
 8

Fig. 2. The Generator Assembly

 9

Fig. 3. Switch to Alternator to Battery to bulb assembly

 10

Discharging one (1) volt of the battery

In discharging one (1) volt of the battery, the initial voltage of the battery was

taken. The 5 watt bulb was switched on and time was recorded after the battery voltage

was one (1) volt less. Three (3) trials were done and results were recorded.

Charging one (1) volt of the battery

Charging the battery by one (1) volt was done by rotating the rim of the bicycle.

The initial voltage reading was also taken. When the reading increased by one (1) volt,

the elapsed time was recorded. Three (3) trials were also done and results were recorded.

Statistical Tool Used

After three trials of discharging and charging the battery, mean of the time

elapsed was determined using the formula:

1 + 2 + 3
=
3

Where x = mean

t1 = time elapsed trial 1

t2 = time elapsed trial 2

t3 = time elapsed trial 3

 11

Chapter 4
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

This chapter presents the data gathered and their analysis and interpretation.

Table 1: Elapsed time (minutes) in discharging 1 volt from the battery

Trial Elapsed time

1 95
2 97
3 94
Average 95.33

This table shows that it took 95 minutes, 97minutes and 94 minutes to discharge

one volt from the battery during the first, second and third trials, respectively. The

average time for the three trials was 95.33 minutes. This suggests that during brownouts,

the fully charged motorcycle battery can supply the needed energy to light a five watt

bulb for twenty four (24) hours.

Table 2: Elapsed time (minutes) in charging 1 volt of the battery

Trial Elapsed time

1 9 minutes
2 10 minutes
3 8.5 minutes
Average 9.17 minutes

Charging the battery was done by rotating the rear tire by pedaling the bicycle.

The rim rotated which allowed the shaft of the alternator to rotate also. During the initial

trial, 9 minutes of pedaling increased the voltage of the battery by one (1) volt. Second
 12

trial consumed 10 minutes to charge while the third trial took 8.5 minutes of charging.

The average time was 9.17 minutes to charge 1 volt to the battery. It can be deduced that

charging the battery 12 volts will take around two (2) hours of pedaling the bicycle.
 13

Chapter
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

This study was conducted to test the efficiency of an alternator in charging a

motorcycle battery. The time required to discharge and charge the battery by one (1) volt

was observed. The device was first assembled and set up before testing the alternator was

done. Discharging the battery was done by using a five (5) watt bulb while charging it

required pedaling the bicycle to make the alternator shaft rotate.

The average time of discharging the battery was 95.33 minutes. Therefore,

assuming the rate of discharging is constant, it will take twenty four (24) hours for the

battery to supply the energy to light a five watt bulb.

The average time to charge 1 volt to the battery was 9.17 minutes. It can be

deduced that charging the battery 12 volts will take around two (2) hours of pedaling the

bicycle.

From the data gathered, it shows that the improvised power generator is efficient

and effective. It was able to produce energy with 1 volt per average of 9 minutes of

charging. The energy stored in the battery was consumed at a longer period of time than

the time to recharge it.

It is recommended that another study be conducted to further explore the

efficiency of the improvised generator. Aside from the 5 watt bulb, more bulbs with

higher wattage be used to discharge the stored energy in the battery. It is also

recommended that other gadgets and devices be used to discharge it.

 14

Bibliography

PROFESSOR KEVIN R. SULLIVAN Understanding the Alternator,

http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodules/alternator/alt101.html

NATHAN EAGLE BENJAMIN OLDING Using Alternators in Renewable Energy

Source, http://alumni.media.mit.edu/~nathan/nepal/ghatta/alternator.html

JOHN GULLAND (2008) Make Electricity While You Exercise,

www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/padal-powered-generators-

zmaz08onzgoeaspx#ax2236tlg25r2
 15

APPENDICES

Fig. 4. Alternator to battery connection

Fig. 5. Bikes rear wheel rim to alternators shaft connection (a)

 16

Bikes rear wheel rim to alternators shaft connection (b)

Fig. 6. Charging the motorcycle battery