Connecting an Alternator to horse drawn buggy

On Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:32:37 -0000, clewis.DeleteThis@nortelnetworks.com (Chris
Lewis) wrote:

>According to <scott21230.DeleteThis@gmail.com>:
>> Actually the solar panels are probably only a reasonable idea if they
>> park the buggy outside, I would think.
>
>Given how long their trips take, and mostly during the day at that
>where lighting isn't necessary, it's probably not an issue.
>
>Someone would have to do some simple calculations with specs
>on candidate components to figure out how much daylight they'd
>need.
>
>Can't be too impractical, otherwise, solar lights wouldn't work -
>usually capable of 8 hours or so using only a square inch or
>two of collector and a single AA battery. Scale it up to a 4x4
>or larger collector, and reasonably well chosen LED lights, I'm
>sure it'd work quite well. Except after long period of truly
>abysmal weather.

Actually, their Sunday church services begin around sunrise and they
generally do not come home until 9 or 10 pm. It's more than "church".
They have a meal or two, the youngers ones play games later in the
day, the older ones socialize and discuss their business and horses.
They can not do any work on Sundays except to care for their horses
and other animals. They work most of the time the other 6 days of the
week, so Sunday is their day to relax. My point is that they often
come home from their Sunday worship after dark, particularly when the
days are shorter. Some travel 10 to 15 miles each way. Those horses
do work hard at times.

On Thu, 8 Nov 2007 08:11:26 -0800, "Bob F" <bobnospam.TakeThisOut@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
><alvinamorey.TakeThisOut@notmail.com> wrote in message
>news:6ch5j356uk99qbhtqt108k8ookr3muu3gb@4ax.com...
>>I live near an Amish community. They are required to use lights on
>> their horse drawn buggies at night. They use 12V marine batteries
>> which last about 7 to 10 hours. Then they have the non-Amish
>> neighbors charge them, or use a gas generator. I was talking to one
>> of them and he said he would like to connect a car alternator to the
>> wheels. I told him that seems doable. That got me thinking. Wiring
>> a delco with built in regulator is easy. There are two problems.
>>
>> 1. Mounting it so a pulley can be connected to the wooden spoke wheel
>> hub. I can sort of see a means to attach a belt pulley, but the belt
>> would have to connect to a shaft or it would be outside too far.
>>
>> 2. Alternators will not charge until they reach a specific RPM. I
>> doubt the buggy wheels would reach that. This means a gear assembly
>> would be needed to increase the rpm. I also heard that some tractor
>> alternators charge at a lower RPM, so I have to check into that.
>>
>> Anyone have any suggestions? What could I steal a simple gear unit
>> from? How do I attach a pulley to a wooden hub, spoke wheel? Has
>> anyone ever done anything like this?
>>
>> I'm having fun with this project....
>
>Remember those bicycle lights that have a generator that rubs on the tire to
>light the light? They might be AC output, so you'd need some diodes to charge
>batteries, but they could be a good starting point. Add a "tire" to the
>generator if the buggy wheels are not rubber. Obviously, the output current is
>limited, so you either need small bulbs or multiple generators.
>
>Bob
>


It looks like LED lights and solar panels WIN in this thread, and I
can surely relate to both as a good alternative. Solar panels are
cheap to run too, once they are paid for. I wish they made some
bicycle generators that were a higher output. I think those common
ones are just 1.5 volts (or less). Too bad they dont make a 12V model
(or do they?).

Anyone know of any sources on the web for higher output 12v bicycle
type generators? What is a good source for both solar panels and
bright headlight type LED lights?

One thing mentioned were lanterns. I ma not sure just why they dont
use them on their buggies. Maybe they do not meet the requirements of
the law. or maybe it's the fire hazzard, or just the cost of kerosene?
I will have to ask. I do see them sold on websites that sell parts
for horsedrawn buggies and wagons, but it seems they are more
decoration that useful.....

Thanks for all the advice.

Alvin