power reading in novelty generator system
power reading in novelty generator system
(OP)
I have an application where my customer wants to have a "Green" musical event. The idea is that there will be a number of cyclists generating power with some kind of meter reading the power generated and then comparing it to the amount of additional power taken from the grid. I want to know if there is an easy way to measure the power from the grid (off of two power lines, 15A capacity) and then measure the power coming from the bank of cyclists. Ideally I would like something that could plug into a laptop and perhaps display on a program like Excel. My plan is to use three ammeters, two for the grid power (120 VAC, one per line) and then one on the power going into the battery bank from the cyclists (12 VDC). By using some simple equations I could quickly display both of the power rates.
question 1 - is there a commercial system with software that can be used for this? Assuming a normal PC laptop with windows and office.
question 2 - can I wire ammeters with a voltage output in series (to add the readings for both currents from the grid power)?
Thanks
Charlie Harland
question 1 - is there a commercial system with software that can be used for this? Assuming a normal PC laptop with windows and office.
question 2 - can I wire ammeters with a voltage output in series (to add the readings for both currents from the grid power)?
Thanks
Charlie Harland





RE: power reading in novelty generator system
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
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100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
As for the generator, I prefer using an alternator because of the availability and the built in voltage regulator.
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
W = A x 120
For the cyclist you can measuere DC Amps and will need to measure Volts (unless that's regulated) for Watts
There will be some loss in the inverter but you should be able to just factor that into your calculation.
W = (A x V)+ inverter loss
If you want to input into a laptop there are plenty of transducers available that will do that for you.
Regards
Roy
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
No doubt. This will be a statement for the purpose of discussion. Similar to the way that the recent Earth Day "lights off" hour had no real impact on Green House gases but still caused dialogue. We're counting on 50 W per person as we expect out of shape people and eight year olds to play along as well. I just wanted to know of any good instrumentation systems that could be used to monitor the relative power inputs, that could be read by a laptop and then manipulated with a program like Excel.
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
RE: power reading in novelty generator system
Get old bikes
Remove back tires
Replace with belt driving auto alternator
(wire alternator field directly to output, without regulator. As previous poster pointed out you are limited to about 10 Amps / person.
Isolate each alternator with a diode to prevent backfeed into field.
You would need to allow for power going to field.
Use 12 Volt lamps, not 120 this will avoid having to use inverter.
Q) Do you really need a battery, that's just extra expense and complication. Granted it would clamp the maximum Voltage.
Roy