After NYPD Takes Their Gas Generators, OCCUPY WALL STREET Builds BIKE-POWERED Generator

[kpete]

AFTER NYPD TAKES THEIR GAS GENERATORS, OCCUPY WALL STREET BUILDS BIKE-POWERED GENERATOR | Last week, the New York Police Department and Fire Department seized a number of gas-powered generators from the Occupy Wall Street encampment, claiming that they were a fire hazard. Yet as temperatures drop, protesters continue to need generators for their needs. So Time’s Up! — New York City’s Direct Action Environmental group — decided to help out with a bit of ingenuity. The group built its own bicycle-powered generator that generates power simply by pedaling. The group needs more funds to build more generators and is accepting donations online. Watch video of the bike generator:
http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/02/359085/nypd-generators-occupy-wall-street-bike/

AWESOME VIDEO, JUST AWESOME:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPXBgZ1gAPs&feature=player_embedded#!

[Johnson20]

1. I have tried one of those in the physics

department of a school I used to work at. It takes an amazing amount of effort to light just one 60W light bulb.

[Le Taz Hot]

19. Perhaps you're not appreciating

the spirit of the project. :shrug:

[krispos42]

33. Or four CFL bulbs

;-)


Really what they need are several bike-generators (direct current) rigged together in parallel to a voltage regulator (say, 12 volts), then tied into a common heavy-duty automotive inverter to power their alternating-current equipment.

ETA:

For $800 you can get a 3,000 watt inverter with a very clean sine wave (for running electronics).

http://www.theinverterstore.com/the-inverter-store-product.php?model=pwric300012s

[WCGreen]

2. Plucky...

I love that about the 99%... Talk about the American Spirit... Damn, I wish I were young and healthy...

[Ship of Fools]

6. Me too! How exciting it would be ...

[Lindsay]

3. Literally

people power! I love it.

[CanonRay]

4. New NYC ordinace: Outdoor stationary bikes prohibited.

Wait for it....

[rug]

5. This is why states lose guerrilla wars.

[The Doctor.]

7. Just wait. They'll use incendiary attacks soon.

When the people need to keep the heat on, they'll keep trying to confiscate everything. Just to make the point, they'll go in at 3am one day and lob something incendiary into the camp prove themselves right.

[Leopolds Ghost]

8. I'm sorry but I don't think these things work. Looks like deliberate state harassment to me.

If they did, more people would use them. Sadly, this is a gimmick -- you could power a battery charger and that's about it.

[Fumesucker]

13. Hand crank flashlights are available and actually work pretty well if they aren't junk..

I'm sixtysomething and can put out about 120 watts for an hour on a bicycle without flogging myself, figure 50% conversion efficiency and that's 60 watts, enough to power a netbook or several really strong LED lights or charge several cell phones..

Here's a graph showing human power output over time, as you can see, 120 watts for an hour is on the low end of the scale.

[Leopolds Ghost]

15. Perhaps if they got the most energetic members and staggered them in 2-min shifts

To maximize output, but that would require extremely coordinated organization.

[Fumesucker]

17. Energy conservation is also a big part of it..

The more efficient your use the less you need to generate.

The plan is to build 11 bikes I believe, so it's not going to be just one person at a time.

I think they ought to do tandems and triples and so on, it would be cool to watch several people spinning all together.

[RufusTFirefly]

22. Yes. And the exercise has got to be a boon

Imagine spending most of your time in the relatively restrictive confines of Zuccotti Park. The opportunity to get some aerobic exercise and provide a modest amount of usable energy seems like a really good thing. I can't see anything bad about incorporating bicycles into OWS.

[Fumesucker]

23. People pay good money for spinning classes..

http://bicycling.about.com/od/trainingandfitness/gr/spinning.htm

And here you can spin away to you heart's content, help the environment and help get OWS's message out..

Improvise, adapt and overcome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United_States_Marine_Corps

Edited to add link..

[LanternWaste]

28. I would think that battery chargers are essential to the movemen...

I would think that battery chargers are essential to the movement in that they allow power (and hence, access) to mobile phones, cameras, and laptops-- the fundamental means of communication that the movement has been as this successful in the first place.

But, one person's communication device is another person's gimmick I suppose... :shrug:

[coalition_unwilling]

29. Someone needs a lesson in the difference between "letter"

and "spirit," methinks.

Man, if you can't feel the poetry in this gesture and the magnificence in this image, you have surrendered your soul to the darkness.

Not tryin' to snark or criticize, but may be time for you to unlock those 'mind-forged manacles' (to quote William Blake).

[Shagbark Hickory]

9. They should bring in some cattle too.

So they can make use of the poo for fuel.

[formercia]

10. Good way to stay warm...

Like splitting wood. Warms you when you split it, warms you when you burn it.

Anyone complains about being cold, just give them a half-hour on the bike.

[RufusTFirefly]

11. For some reason, bicycles seem to upset some people here

As witnessed in this thread.

Frankly, I don't get it.

:shrug:

[kpete]

12. I LOVE MY BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to ride my bike

I'm going to ride my bicycle

I'd like to ride it where I like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwvWtZl2ICY

[Leopolds Ghost]

14. I'm all for bikes, I'm car free. But let's be realistic

Pedal-powered generators won't sustain the encampment's energy needs. They'll need to burn something or bundle up and freeze.

[RufusTFirefly]

16. No fundamental disagreement, but the takeaway from this story is this

Time and time again, the folks at OWS are developing creative solutions to relentless restrictions imposed upon them by the 1 percent. Some of these solutions will be more successful than others, but the important thing is that they aren't giving up and that they are constantly seeking out new ways of doing almost everything.

[Fumesucker]

18. A stationary bike is a damn good way to warm up..

When I was younger I could stay warm on a bike down to single digits with just a sweatsuit and some light gloves.

[frylock]

31. usually haters that are too lazy to ride anything but a couch

[Liberal_Dog]

20. K & R

OWS totally rocks!!

[bvar22]

21. With a dedicated group of athletes,

...they might be able to recharge a Notebook Computer or operate some LED lights with that setup,
but they will never be able to operate even a small Space Heater on the LOWEST setting unless they can harness the combined output of about 20 bicycles operated by continuous rotating shifts of Sprint Athletes.

The REAL value here is in the PR.
I salute OWS for their resourcefulness and dedication.
:patriot:

Good Arctic Camping Gear is the best option.
How can we help get them some?

Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Fumesucker]

24. Buy something warm and practical and take it to your local OWS..

Socks in particular, take lots and lots of socks, wool, synthetic and cotton, wool are warmest but not everyone can tolerate next to their skin.

Gloves are important also for being outside continuously, as are warm head coverings.

[RufusTFirefly]

26. Here's a promising OWS GA link about How to Help

How to Help

Donate Money to #occupywallstreet (this would seem to be the best bet if you want to provide winter supplies)

Donate yourself

Donate Laundry and Shower

Order Us Food

Here's a recent list of OWS needs:

NYC General Material Needs

insulated gloves, wool hats, scarves
long underwear / smart wool thermal socks
300 hand warmers, 300 foot warmers
waterproof boots in all sizes
disposable shoe covers
winter coats
hot beverages
thermal heaters
all weather sub-thermal sleeping bags
tarps
insulating tents; foam padding for inside of tents
wooden pallets to get tents off the ground
cots to get people off the ground
Emergency Blankets
Dry Socks, Gloves, and Hats
Payless gift certificates for Shoes
Towels
Plastic Bins
3 post tents

[lonestarnot]

25. What will they ever do without us?

:) K & R!

[Fire Walk With Me]

27. I love problem solving, especially when it shames and obsoletes the bad guys :D

[RainbowSuperfund]

30. Generator bikes can be fun!

Generator bikes can be fun!
What a resourceful group of people. I love the way they run things.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2510875977913
Hope you enjoy the video.

[me b zola]

32. Mr Zola is attempting to design

a teeter-totter generator for our local occupy. He says that is would be much more efficient than the bike.

Big thumbs up for the people's movement :)

[malaise]

34. Love it!

K& effing R