So it was probably only about 1.5 amphour trickle charge and then I was watching Netflix via the lithium battery laptop. So it was actually Zero Net Energy Use. haha
https://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-bicycle-generator-new.html
So almost a year ago - I report a 2 amp limit on charging the lithium battery generator.... but for long-term bicycle pedaling it's closer to 1 amp. So I did pretty well.
AFter rereading that - if I limit my amps to 6 and then ramp up my RPMs to the highest bicycle speed - then I should be able to lower the BACK EMF resistance.
https://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-skinny-on-chafon-lithium-battery.html
Actually I should set it up to 4 amps.
https://elixirfield.blogspot.com/2019/01/reverse-engineering-chafon-500-watt.html
Ok I was able to switch over the Amps while pushing the bicycle pedal by hand - and the other hand pushing the button on the DC-DC buck converter. Then I got back on the bicycle seat while keeping the pedal moving so it stayed in amps.
So I was able to get up to 3 amphours by really cranking the pedal but not able to hold it at that. Then at the lowest amble long distance speed I'm charging at 1.2 to 1.5 amphours.
OK so then I tested the 60 watt car bulb at 12 volts - but I could not get it up to 5 amp full charge. So I knew the LOAD should draw that high so I figured there was a different problem. I knew it was slipping a bit on the belt. So I put electrical tape wrapped around to make the hub bigger so the belt was tighter. Then I noticed that the board holding the motor had become very loose and wobbly. So I had big wood screws from the Hermit Hut. So I put three in and it is now very tight.
So then the bulb was easier to light but I couldn't test the amp level but no matter. I could test it with the generator which was the goal anyway. Sure enough when I switched to amps - the LOAD was WAY WAY BETTER!! I could not draw six amps - my LIMIT - on the Generator! This is fantastic news.
Before I was thinking the amp draw was limited to each of the 9 packs of 4 cells each which would be only about 3 amps for 31 amphours total - about 3.3 amp limit. Because that's what I could put out - but after reviewing my blog posts I realized the Amp Draw should be at least six amps as it's measured based on the total amps of the battery.
I'm not even sure how I realized that but I then reset the DC-DC buck converter to 6 amps so I could pedal at maximum RPM without over-charging the generator.
Sure enough - I MAXED OUT the Amp Limit!! But I would have to be in very good shape to hold this for very long. So then I dropped down a gear and was able to hold the charge at around 3 amps which is TWICE the charging rate of before!!
Yeah - the DC-DC buck converter is working.
I finally have it optimized in the setting.
OK so I went out to charge the battery some more. I switched over to amps but now I could only get 1.5 amps maximum!! What happened? It seemed to be slipping again!
So I looked at the electrical tape - the outside edge was still on to "hold" on the belt. The tape under the belt - on the hub was totally GONE and on the floor was just black dust!! I literally burned through all the electrical tape!!!
So I need to try find a real hub thing - I forgot what it's called. My playlist has details.
I tried to buy one before. They're super expensive and you have to make sure the size is precise. OH and you need a special tool to get it on - which I don't have. I think it has to be powered - like a PRESS or something. oops.
Maybe if I get that metal tape for outside duct metal - real metal tape.
I think I'll just try moving the motor farther back.
OK so I noticed the motor was held in my bolts into the wood so they were stripped. So I took a couple long wood screws at an angle through one of the brackets - using washers or nuts on them to hold into the bracket. So now the DC motor is FIXED again. I could get up to six amps but the belt comes off.
That's ok because 6 amps is still a lot of resistance so now I can do a continuous charge at 3 amps which is what my goal was. So that means I can watch a movie and still have a NET charge of 1.5 amps or 2 amps.
So now I'm at 32% and I started this morning at 14% so 18% in a couple hours. Not bad.
I charged up those two lawn batteries - I think I was at 80% when I started charging the batteries? Anyway I'll see what tomorrow brings - pretty excited.
I should be able to put 20% more on tomorrow.
Just break it into two sessions.
I'll upload a video of me charging at 3 amps continuous.
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