Portable charger for cyclists- Powers and charges small electronic items and is operated simply by p

[Dr Tiernan]

Hi Everyone,

I am a postgraduate student looking at the possibility of producing an electronic device charger for cyclists. As it states in the title the product will be a portable charger that powers and charges small electronic items and is operated simply by pedaling the bike as normal.

I would be very grateful if you would fill out my short questionnaire, and you can email me any feedback at edd_tiernan@hotmail.com.

Thanks very much,

Ed

 

[Maz]

...the product will be a portable charger that powers and charges small electronic items and is operated simply by pedaling the bike as normal.

Sounds a lot like a dynamo. Is it more than this?

 

[Will1985]

Or a PowerMonkey...

 

[Maz]

Or a PowerMonkey...

 

[Steve Austin]

and with the development of li-ion batteries may not have much of a market

 

[PBancroft]

Hm... It would have to have no or next to no detrimental effect upon cycling effort. I'd hate to be climbing that hill and know it was extra hard because of a charger.

 

[thomas]

I'd rather plug my phone and things into the wall than risk breaking it by falling off my bike or something. Can't be bothered reading the questionnaire tbh.

 

[snorri]

I could only read the first two questions, after that the whole thing was garbled.

 

[MajorMantra]

I filled it out, but I hope you'll heed the comment in my email.

Matthew

 

[Black Sheep]

if i save it and e-mail it then you'll not be able to open it, so...

use my bike every day

use it for commuting and leisure

yes, i carry a phone, ipod and laptop

they don't run out of power when biking, but they sometimes run out of power

not really a flaw in the item, i've grown up in a world where batteries run out

yes, the one Mr paul has mentioned that is hand wound

8) will it really be able to charge my laptop?
does this mean i'll be atatched to the bike by a load of wires to charge my various items?

 

[hackbike 666]

I have a hub dynamo fitted which charges up 3x6v battery boxes which power two 6v horns and two front lights oh and also my rear standlicht (German).

 

[Dr Tiernan]

Reply to thread

Thanks for all the comments guys, I can answer some of the questions..

Firstly, one basic method of generating the power already in existence is of course the dynamo. I've had mixed feedback about dynamos, some people have said they hate them and some people have said that modern dynamos are much more efficient than the old ones.

Has anyone had any experience with them, and can therefore leave some opinion?

As well as the humble dynamo, I have also been looking at more technologically advanced solutions which wouldn't have the same detrimental effect on cycling effort.

The main point of the questionnaire is to find out whether cyclists carry mobile phones, iPods, sat navs etc. and if they find that these items often run out of battery during use.

Thanks for your time...

Ed

 

[thomas]

As well as the humble dynamo, I have also been looking at more technologically advanced solutions which wouldn't have the same detrimental effect on cycling effort.

People do cycle with GPSes...I think they last though - maybe useful for trips or something though. I would imagine there's a small market.

 

[hackbike 666]

The main point of the questionnaire is to find out whether cyclists carry mobile phones, iPods, sat navs etc. and if they find that these items often run out of battery during use.

Only once (during the snow when I didn't return home) but I had a spare battery.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Hello

This sort of device would appeal to the long-distance, remote tourist - the sort of person who cycles from London to Australia over a year and a half. There are already devices on the market for them - I saw a Kogo Miyata long-distance tourer with a solar panel on it that could charge up your laptop. The market is going to be a very small one.

Most of the rest of us charge batteries before we leave the house or the office, and bring spare batteries with us. I wouldn't rush out and buy a bicycle-based charger - it's another piece of kit to faff over that doesn't add anything or make life easier.