Recharging batteries with a cordless drill...

[Cybrludite]

Wish I'd thought of this... Converting a cordless drill into a hand-cranked generator

[308Mike]

If you're going to do something like that, why not buy a used stationary bike for cheap and find a way to rig a generator to it? It'll work a hell of a lot better and your legs will FAR outlast hand cranking.

[HTRN]

Buy a rebuilt alternator.

Find a exercise bike out at the curb.

Combine.

Job done.


HTRN

[Rich Jordan]

But you'd need a permanent magnet alternator to be at all efficient, wouldn't you? Those aren't megabucks but not as cheap as a car alternator either.

[Cybrludite]

If you're going to do something like that, why not buy a used stationary bike for cheap and find a way to rig a generator to it? It'll work a hell of a lot better and your legs will FAR outlast hand cranking.

Oh, no doubt that'd be better for a permanent set-up. This is more of a nifty Angus MacGuyver type of fix. After all, you're more likely to have a cordless drill handy than an alternator and an exercycle. Easier to fit in a backpack, too.

[HTRN]

But you'd need a permanent magnet alternator to be at all efficient, wouldn't you? Those aren't megabucks but not as cheap as a car alternator either.

Define "efficiency". If you're talking energy in vs. energy out, then probably not.

But considering that what I mentioned from a dollar standpoint - less than a hundred bucks(if you do a bit of junkyard/Ebay scrounging, probably significantly less).. All engineering is a tradeoff.


HTRN