Bike Generator/Backup Battery Charger
Age: 18
Inspiration: Expensive bike powered phone chargers on the market
Purpose: Charge my phone and a backup battery using a bike mounted generator
Significance: Soldered incredibly small pitch SMD IC chips
This project was created as a way to keep my electronics devices charged while biking. Before embarking on a 3 week 900 mile bike ride down the east coast I realized that having a method of keeping my phone charged while riding might be important. Unfortunately, the commercially available products were either expensive or didn't have the features I envisioned. The device I created has two power inputs, a backup battery, and a USB port. The device can take power from both an AC generator, such as the ones you might find powering lights on a bicycle, or a 12V wall wart. The device then uses the power from these inputs to charge a USB device. Additionally, the extra power provided by the power inputs that is not need to charge the USB device is relegated to charging an on board LiPo battery. In turn the LiPo battery, when charged, can charge the USB device.
While this device may not be as sleek or efficient as commercially available bike generator units, it's added features allow it to not only function as a bike generator, but also as a standalone backup battery charger unit.
Inspiration: Expensive bike powered phone chargers on the market
Purpose: Charge my phone and a backup battery using a bike mounted generator
Significance: Soldered incredibly small pitch SMD IC chips
This project was created as a way to keep my electronics devices charged while biking. Before embarking on a 3 week 900 mile bike ride down the east coast I realized that having a method of keeping my phone charged while riding might be important. Unfortunately, the commercially available products were either expensive or didn't have the features I envisioned. The device I created has two power inputs, a backup battery, and a USB port. The device can take power from both an AC generator, such as the ones you might find powering lights on a bicycle, or a 12V wall wart. The device then uses the power from these inputs to charge a USB device. Additionally, the extra power provided by the power inputs that is not need to charge the USB device is relegated to charging an on board LiPo battery. In turn the LiPo battery, when charged, can charge the USB device.
While this device may not be as sleek or efficient as commercially available bike generator units, it's added features allow it to not only function as a bike generator, but also as a standalone backup battery charger unit.