Electricity

The rider turns the generator. The generator transfers some mechanical energy into electrical energy. A small LED needs much less power than a heater. Changing riders, effort, speed and gears changes available electrical power.

The characters are illustrative profiles, not a prediction of what any particular person can do. The generator and its load are treated as an ideal controlled power converter. Its displayed available electrical power is reduced by chain and generator losses. Actual unregulated generators, appliance cut-in requirements and electrical load torque need a more detailed model.

0 W available electrical power.

Gears and movement

A gear changes the trade-off between torque and speed. It cannot create extra energy. Very heavy gears can stall these riders in the model.

Measurements and calculations

Pedal force

— N

Pedal cadence

— rpm

Generator speed

— rpm

Equivalent road speed

— mph

Energy and time

The phone store is approximately 15 Wh, with charging time sped up 60 times. Charge remains when pedalling stops. Full storage is a cap, with further input curtailed in this simplified model.

Rider data