generator powered bar stool

[crazzywolfie]

well i am hoping someone here has done something possibly similar. i have a generator that i have been wanting to use for a project for a while. i am planing on using bike tires since i have lots of bike parts kicking around. the big thing i am trying to figure out is how to get the power from the v belt generator to the gears on a hub. any cheap idea's? i have access to a 110v flux core welder, grinders, saws all, drills and most of the basic tool for light metal working.

here is my generator

 

[fowler]

is it a generator or an electric motor

a generator wont work well as an electric motor

 

[ronaldo0020]

i am planing on using bike tires since i have lots of bike parts kicking around.

 

[crazzywolfie]

it is an automotive generator off a old vehicle but they where used on other things such as lawn tractor as the electric start/charging system. if you connect negative to the body and positive to the big post it turns forward with a fair bit of speed but if you run power to the smaller post the it turns in reverse at a much slower speed.
here is what the core looks like on a generator

the casing of another generator

 

[Doc Sprocket]

is it a generator or an electric motor

a generator wont work well as an electric motor

Long before the invention of the Alternating Current-producing AC alternator, there was the direct-current producing generator. They can be "back-fed" with power to produce motion, as opposed to being fed with motion to produce power.

 

[crazzywolfie]

thanks for explaining that so that other may understand it better.

so does anyone have any idea's? i figure if i somehow modify a few bike hubs to hook up to a pulley onto a shaft so that i can get the the rpm down to a more usable level with enough torque to actually drive.

 

[fowler]

it looks as though there is a keyway in the shaft

what dia is it
it may be really easy to get a sprocket on there

 

[crazzywolfie]

there is a keyway in the shafts. i am not sure its exact diameter it is. i have taken it to the farm supply store near me and it is bigger than 1/2" but smaller than 5/8".

 

[fowler]

so 9/16?

 

[crazzywolfie]

that is what i am guessing but unless i can find one to test fit i would not bee 100% sure.

 

[fowler]

get a set of vernier calipers

or try and slide a 9/16 spanner over the shaft

try metric as well

 

[crazzywolfie]

boy does my memory sucks. i went and checked it using my brand new set of wrenches and it was bigger than 5/8" but smaller than 11/16". i also tried my metric wrenches and the it was bigger than 16mm but smaller than than 17mm but the 17mm fit better than the 11/16". i also picked up some cheap tires that i think will be easier to use than a bike tire and they are the proper size for the axles and steering parts that i have. just have to drill a hole through the hub on the one and my axles so that it will not spin free.
http://www.tscstores.com/10-UTILITY-WHEEL-W-34-BEARING-P7360.aspx
http://www.tscstores.com/10-UTILITY-WHEEL-W-58-BEARING-P7359.aspx

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You're going to have to use a caliper to measure it. Even wrench sizes aren't going to be accurate enough.
Orangeveille needs a Princess Auto. You're a pretty good distance from your 3 closest stores...

 

[crazzywolfie]

i will see about borrowing a caliper my dad. ya. Orangeville needs a lot of thing. i wish we would get a princess auto but i don't see it happening. i might see about trying to hit princess auto after i finish work this weekend. apparently princess auto is only about 16km from work. might have to make the trip even though i don't think they will have what i need but i am most likely to find something i don't need. plus i get paid this week so i will have some money to burn.

 

[crazzywolfie]

i went to princess auto and as i figured they did not have a single thing that would bolt onto the generator but i did end up $100 on other tools and supplies i needed and wanted. i think i will keep the pulley i have and use and maybe run it to a bigger pulley on another shaft that may be attached to to a bike hub. i'm not 100% sure how it is all going to work but i will make it work. i got good sized main pulley from a vehicle and i got lots of rear bike hubs and gears so i could run double chains from one to the other. i don't think i am going to make a generator powered bar stool anymore. i picked up a dolly the other day that was in need of some new bearing and i think it may be the beginning of a generator powered go kart.

 

[crazzywolfie]

thanks to toystory posting some pics i think i may have a good idea how make the steering work with the parts i have. i also tossed some of the parts together to give people and ideal what i am thinking/working with.
i am planning on using the same size tires in the back as i got on the front since i plan on using an electric engine but i might keep the big ones for if i ever find a good gas powered engine cheap.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

If there's any other pics or reference material you need, ask away.

 

[crazzywolfie]

thanks. will do. the bushings in the pieces of frame that i have are plastic and were partially melted when cut. plus i don't like the angle they would have to it on. the design you used on that John Deere kart look good and functional.

 

[landuse]

I was just wondering about the section of frame circled in red. Will that not cause a problem with hitting raised objects you ride over?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I'm guessing the hand truck (furniture dolly) shown in the pic is simply to represent the frame, but is not the frame itself. Either that or it's going to be altered...

The front axle beam, knuckles and spindles I used were straight off an old lawn tractor that I molested for parts- bushings included. I installed the beam inclined rearward at 5 or 10* (can't remember now) to get the caster angle I wanted.