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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>I've been thinking about power
solutions for the XO for some time now and I've been following this email thread
with great interest. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>I have always thought that a
spinning wheel type contraction would be interesting to explore and it holds
advantages over hand generation solution because you can work and generate power
at the same time.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>However, when I imagined a
classroom with 30+ of these machines in, with children pedalling away that's
when I because a little suspect.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Should we really expect children to
generate the power for the XO?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Personally, I think the power
requirements for the XO is too high for children to charge them. Yes, I'm sure
something can be created that children could operate - but is this scalable and
long term? Do we think that children are going to want to do this everyday
throughout their entire education?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008></SPAN><SPAN class=827380313-08052008><FONT
face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Regardless of if its realistic or
not here are some approximate costs (educated guesses);</FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond> * Personal
Solar: $20 per XO (Variable effectiveness and difficult for a classroom
environment)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond> * Classroom
Solar: $35 per XO (Assuming peak efficiency - Roof solar with charge controllers
and power distribution)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008> * Classroom Wind: $15 per XO
(Assuming peak efficiency - Wind Turbine tower outside school - variable output
- Wind power generates the cube of velocity)</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond> * Hand Crank:
$15 per XO </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond> * Cow
Power: $13.75 per XO (35A Alternator ($300) + Gearing ($150) + Batt ($100)
= $550 for 40 XO?) (How much does a cow cost to 'fuel'?)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008> * Spinning Wheel: ???</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Feel free to modify these
numbers.</FONT></SPAN></P></FONT></SPAN>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>I think what is most important is
to determine the sources of potential energy in areas that need it, then design
technology to utilise that.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Javier I think you have mentioned
that both water, wind and sun are too variable to design a cost effective system
around. Can you think of energy sources that are readily available in these
areas that could be utilised?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>You don't happen to have an
abundance of zinc ore in Peru do you?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Kind regards,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008></SPAN><SPAN class=827380313-08052008></SPAN><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008></SPAN><SPAN class=827380313-08052008><FONT
face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Josh</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>==</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond>Joshua Seal</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
class=827380313-08052008><FONT face=Garamond><A
href="mailto:josh@laptop.org">josh@laptop.org</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"></SPAN><FONT
face=Garamond></FONT><BR> </P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> peripherals-bounces@lists.laptop.org
[mailto:peripherals-bounces@lists.laptop.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>info@olpc-peru.info<BR><B>Sent:</B> 06 May 2008 18:55<BR><B>To:</B>
arjunsarwal@gmail.com<BR><B>Cc:</B> Carla Gomez Monroy;
peripherals@lists.laptop.org; Holden Bonwit<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Peripherals]
Alternitive Power for Developing Countries<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><PRE wrap="">Hello Arjun et al,
<FONT color=#3333ff>>* Cost of Alternators -- I agree they are expensive. Have you thought
about taking car alternators?
</FONT>
You need to choose those alternators that have low RPM (low Revolutions Per Minute).
<FONT color=#3333ff>>They give 12V and usually have built in
mechanisms for cut-off when the battery is fully charged, and also
would be easily available. </FONT>
Yes, easilty available. In Peru that means that, but it doesnt mean that they have a low cost. The most popular car here is the Korean "Tico". Is everywhere, but... unlike we are... there is such demand that the alternator (new one) cost US$300 each one.
It is not possible to think in a solution based on "second hand" alternators... they work.. but how we will get 250,000 used alternators for the 250,000 XOs that will be deployed in Peru ? We need to develop prototype, pilots that can be "sourced" in a secure, stable, confident way. Wars have been lost due to the failure on the supplies chain.
<FONT color=#3333ff>
>In India I've found car alternators to cost
~$100. They give about 35A output.</FONT>
Maybe we will need to import them. But... who will finance this ? We can do the pilot/experiment/test/initial design. But... what then?
<FONT color=#3333ff>>... I have come to realize
that it is very difficult for a human to provide the mechanical power
needed to charge an XO, whatever they may use - legs/hands etc. This
was one of the reasons why we fundamentally wanted animals to drive
our solution and not be human powered.</FONT>
That is because we are thinking in using ANY alternator. Normal car alternators (like a Toyota) need 3,000 RPM. Then you need to "pedal" (on the bike) very fast and very steady to reach those RPM that the alternator needs to start to generate energy. IF you use a LOW RMP alternator then you don't need so much mechanical movement. There are alternators (here in Peru) that works at very low RPM, just 200 RMP and they are generating huge energy, they are used for some mining equipment and they cost around US$800 each. So, technically is possible to "break" the RMP barrier, but then money is an "impossible" wall to climb.
There are many answers to this dilemma:
a) Modify a car alternator: add more magnets, add more "cooper" coiled parts. Then you will need less RPM. You will need to do this with almost ALL the car alternators that you can find. If you get an alternator that is on the 600 RMP then you are VERY NEAR to what any human been (big or small, child, woman, man) can generate.
b) Build your own alternator: import the magnets from China, very very (and very) cheap. Locally (at least in my country) we can add the cooper coils bobins. We need a good design and some testing. Add some circuits (very cheap too, any medium skilled tech here can build one) for doing the cut off, the rectification, and other electronic gadgets.
More: the bike/leg combination is not usefull because you move THE WHOLE LEG. Too much waste. Then you transfer all that spend energy to a small "flywheel" that transfer (by the chain) the movement to the rotor (that is in the back of the bike). You need to do this because you need BIG torque (initial force). In the case of the "charging batteries" there is not need to move the weight of any person so no such a need torque is needed. So, IF you use a spinning wheel (that is what I have in mind) you move just one foot and that is good enough to move a BIG wheel that will move the "rotor" on the alternator (or the pulley on the alternator). I have done the calculations and that "foot" movement can generate from 500 to 600 RPM with a very low and normal "pedaling" (treadling) rhythm. Since it is in the "border line" I think we would need to add some extra pulley system to add a little bit more RPMs.
<FONT color=#3333ff>>*Rule of thumb -- Whatever you may design, remember, as a simple rule
of thumb, that from the alternator you may use, you'd need to provide
each XO laptop about 1.5A of current at 12V for about 2hours to charge
the battery from empty to full.</FONT>
I am taking note. Question: how long can the XO work with a full charged battery ?
(then we can calculate how many "alternator sets" we need for this or that school)
>It would be my suggestion to plan out the
power solution as much as in detail as possible before implementing
it, it would save you problems that you might face later on!
AMEN!!!! Base line is what we need.
Javier Rodriguez
Lima, Peru
</PRE><BR>Arjun Sarwal wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:dc942fa10805052234h69ffd71ue2b0fa2b078dd3a7@mail.gmail.com
type="cite"><PRE wrap="">Hi Javier, Caryl and others,
A few thoughts.
* Cost of Alternators -- I agree they are expensive. Have you thought
about taking car alternators? They give 12V and usually have built in
mechanisms for cut-off when the battery is fully charged, and also
would be easily available. In India I've found car alternators to cost
~$100. They give about 35A output.
* I would like to see more variations of human power being explored,
like the one Caryl has mentioned. I think it is a very interesting
idea. However, whatever experience I have had, I have come to realize
that it is very difficult for a human to provide the mechanical power
needed to charge an XO, whatever they may use - legs/hands etc. This
was one of the reasons why we fundamentally wanted animals to drive
our solution and not be human powered.
* Bicycle - Holden Bonwit, cced here was recently working on Bicycle
powered solution at a place near Delhi. I will fish for the link he
sent me, but they concluded that it is difficult to get enough output
from a single dynamo to be able charge XOs
* Battery -- In terms of electrical design it'd be much better to
charge, say a 12V car battery or something rather than directly
charging the XOs. This would basically save us hassles of having to
put a current limiting circuit, and also car batteries or other Lead
Acid batteries can be charged with variable current, for example they
can sometimes get charged much faster when higher current is
available, but the range of current the XOs can take for charging is
limited. But we can get to specifics about electrical design etc later
on.
*Rule of thumb -- Whatever you may design, remember, as a simple rule
of thumb, that from the alternator you may use, you'd need to provide
each XO laptop about 1.5A of current at 12V for about 2hours to charge
the battery from empty to full.
I hope these help in some way. Please let me know if I can provide any
other useful information. It would be my suggestion to plan out the
power solution as much as in detail as possible before implementing
it, it would save you problems that you might face later on!
best regards
Arjun
</PRE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><PRE wrap="">Message: 2
Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 14:05:32 -0400
From: <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:info@olpc-peru.info">"info@olpc-peru.info"</A> <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:info@olpc-peru.info"><info@olpc-peru.info></A>
Subject: Re: [Peripherals] [support-gang] Alternitive Power for
Developing Countries
To: Mel Chua <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:mel@melchua.com"><mel@melchua.com></A>
Cc: Yama Ploskonka <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:yama@netoso.com"><yama@netoso.com></A>, <A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:peripherals@lists.laptop.org">peripherals@lists.laptop.org</A>,
"Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond to \"help AT
laptop.org\"" <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:support-gang@lists.laptop.org"><support-gang@lists.laptop.org></A>
Message-ID: <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:481F4C6C.7010604@olpc-peru.info"><481F4C6C.7010604@olpc-peru.info></A>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hello Mel and all the people on the peripherals list,
I have been discussing the issue of energy with other fellow on the OLPC.
I am honest and I speak directly all the time: I think the solar energy
is not a realistic posibilitie in Peru: there is 100% sunny days in the
Andes JUST 6 months in a whole year. The worst moments are the 4 to 5
months were some villages (located over the 3,500 meters altitude) get
100% cloudy time, very cloudy, huge rainfall. According to all the
investigation that I have done (I can send to anyone if you are
interested) the solar devices can provide from 5% to 20% IF there is not
a sunny day. That is a BIG problem.
My best understanding, based on previous experience when I have work for
a mining company is to build a mechanical device: human driven, leg
driven. But not a bycecle. We have built it before but it was without
"cost" restrictions. It is based on a spinning wheel (I have many here
at my sight). But when I have put "cost" as a variable to take in
account then I have got the next ideas:
a) Using alternators, in Peru, is expensive. Each alternator cost
US$300 aprox.
b) We need to import some magnets and assembly the alternator by
ourselves. The kids on the villages can do it as part of the
"experience". We must provide the alternators, the copper wire, the
circuit and components for the rectifier, and... the battery (battery is
other hard issue... short live... expensive). Assembly this "home made"
alternator, connecting to the spinning wheel (that can need a double
wheel or a "pulley" chain) can be an improvement (according to the first
results that we can get).
c) Legs are the ones that will be used. Not in a bycecle but on a
spinning wheel. It is totally possible generate enough energy for a
regular laptor with the legs, it will be easier for the XOs. Providing
energy for the XServers is a totally different issue, I don't agree with
the use of XServers. I suggest that one of the XOs MUST behave as a
Server (or the whole local XO network should behave as a "shared server"
sharing processing power... but that is a bigger task).
d) Need more energy? Put bigger magnets or "more" copper wire. Too
heavy to move? Change design: move the copper wire around the magnets.
Too heavy yet? Use concatenated pulleys.
e) Cost?: import the magnets from Korea or other asian manufacturer.
In this moment I don't have the time to develop this pilots (because I
work independently, earning bread and butter for daily living, as
anyone, and my spare time is not good enough to attack the problem in an
efficient way). So I am passing this info to you (and I can discuss and
help more if there is someone interested in develop this prototypes).
If we don't get an asnwer for the energy problem then we will be
delivering (we ARE delivering) XOs to the towns and villages that "look"
poor in the eyes of the occidental culture but we are forgetting that in
Peru the deep poverty is located in those 80,000 villages (5 million
people) with less than 100 families in each villages, without
electricity, less than FIVE HUNDRED dollars as total ANNUAL income for
the family (with the work of the father, mother and children from 6
years old). The goverment can not reach them (they reach JUST the 5,000
other villages that contains the rest of the peruvian population, 23
million people). So IF we deliver XOs just to the towns that HAVE
electricity then we are keeping a "STATUS QUO" that have kept the same
since 1821 (our "independence day" from the old spaniards conquerors).
We need to be part of the solution and not be part of the problem.
We will develop this "energy" gadget (this or other one!) and then ALL
the responsible people will be more than happy to bring the XOs to those
villages. Then we, all, be very happy. Until then the "One Laptop Per
Children" will not be a dream.
Best regards,
Javier Rodriguez
Lima, Peru
(just for the record: my other two nightmares are: internet connection
without any VSAT (or paying to the telephone company)... building
something like UUCP or a UUCP revival... and content, content, content).
Mel Chua wrote:
</PRE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><PRE wrap="">Moving discussion to "peripherals" list (please reply to
<A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:peripherals@lists.laptop.org">peripherals@lists.laptop.org</A> - subscription info at
<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/peripherals">http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/peripherals</A>)...
Chris Carrick, one of the staff members for the grassroots office in
Chicago this summer (our resident mechanical engineer & green guy), will
be working on getting many "ideas with prototypes built and tested" as
well as "simple instructions for replicating them made available to
empower the folks to generate their own power." (More of a "here's how
to design your *own* power solutions!" in the end, even more than a
"copy ours!" resource.) So your wish will be granted, Caryl. :)
-Mel
Caryl Bigenho wrote:
</PRE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><PRE wrap="">Yes, I thought of that too. But who would ride the bike? Where would
they go? Would it be an exercise bike? Do these folks really need more
exercise? If they, or someone in the family, will be riding around
anyway, it would work. But if they are walking most places (as the
folks in the Andes tend to do), the bicycle is not a luxury they have at
hand. Still in some places it would probably be a great idea.
I would love to see lots of ideas with prototypes built and tested and
simple instructions for replicating them made available to empower the
folks to generate their own power. Call it "Power Empowerment!"
> From: <A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:akonstam@sbcglobal.net">akonstam@sbcglobal.net</A>
> To: <A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:support-gang@lists.laptop.org">support-gang@lists.laptop.org</A>
> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 14:40:55 -0500
> Subject: Re: [support-gang] Alternitive Power for Developing Countries
>
> On Sun, 2008-05-04 at 08:26 -0700, Caryl Bigenho wrote:
> > Hi...
> >
> > Yes, I've seen that weza treadle. The price is way to high for
> > developing countries...it costs more than the XO! I'm looking for a
> > charger that can be made inexpensively from something that may be
> > readily available. It might even be possible to retrofit one of the
> > sewing machines so it could sew and charge at the same time. That way
> > Mom could recharge Junior's XO while she was making clothes or
> > whatever!
> >
> > I wil take a look a the other list and move this idea there later this
> > morning.
> >
> > Caryl
> I am sure someone has thought of this but a bicycle would make an ideal
> charging device.
> --
> =======================================================================
> Romance, like alcohol, should be enjoyed, but should not be allowed to
> become necessary. -- Edgar Friedenberg
> =======================================================================
> Aaron Konstam telephone: (210) 656-0355 e-mail: <A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:akonstam@sbcglobal.net">akonstam@sbcglobal.net</A>
>
> _______________________________________________
> support-gang mailing list
> <A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:support-gang@lists.laptop.org">support-gang@lists.laptop.org</A>
> <A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang">http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang</A>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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<A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:support-gang@lists.laptop.org">support-gang@lists.laptop.org</A>
<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang">http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang</A>
</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE><PRE wrap="">_______________________________________________
Peripherals mailing list
<A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:Peripherals@lists.laptop.org">Peripherals@lists.laptop.org</A>
<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/peripherals">http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/peripherals</A>
</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE><PRE wrap="">
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 14:35:57 -0700
From: Caryl Bigenho <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:cbigenho@hotmail.com"><cbigenho@hotmail.com></A>
Subject: [Peripherals] Alternitive Power for Developing Countries
To: <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:info@olpc-peru.info"><info@olpc-peru.info></A>, <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:peripherals@lists.laptop.org"><peripherals@lists.laptop.org></A>
Message-ID: <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:BLU108-W40798E83494CA5CAB3D780CCD70@phx.gbl"><BLU108-W40798E83494CA5CAB3D780CCD70@phx.gbl></A>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello Javier Rodriguez and, all the other folks on the peripherals list,
After seeing the creative things Arjun Sarwal is doing with cow-power in India, I started thinking of other possibilities. I remembered my grandmother's old treadle sewing machine and how excited she was to have it electrified. Later, I saw many being used 35 years ago in regions in the Yucatan where there was no electricity.
Here is a link to a picture of what they look like. It is the one on the left.
<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade%2DLiterature/Sewing%2DMachines/">http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade%2DLiterature/Sewing%2DMachines/</A>
Many of these machines still exist. i see them at estate auctions every summer in Montana. There must be thousands throughout the world. I have twice tried bidding on just the treadle mechanism of one on ebay. I lost out on the bidding for both, but have hopes of finding one in Montana this summer.
When I get one, I intend to try to set it up as a combination desk/power source to run an XO. If it works and doesn't cost too much to set up, it might be something that could be replicated all over the world where these old machines still exist...some probably still being used without electricity.
Javier, have you seen any of these machines in rural Peru? Are they still being used to sew? Would there be a need to try to design it to continue to be used as a sewing machine but to generate power at the same time?
It might also be possible to manufacture a similar mechanism, at a modest cost. But, the idea of recycling the old ones has a lot of appeal. I was also wondering if an old automobile generator could be adapted to work with it. Perhaps it would require too much torque to work.
It may be just a crazy idea, but if cow-power works, maybe this will too. If and when I do this project, I will probably need some advice from you folks. Any suggestions for starters?
Caryl
BTW, Could AJ's Cow-power generator be adapted to run on Llama power? How about donkey power? Goat power?
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 23:30:06 +0000
From: "Alfonso de la Guarda" <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:alfonsodg@gmail.com"><alfonsodg@gmail.com></A>
Subject: Re: [Peripherals] Alternitive Power for Developing Countries
To: "Caryl Bigenho" <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:cbigenho@hotmail.com"><cbigenho@hotmail.com></A>
Cc: <A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="mailto:peripherals@lists.laptop.org">peripherals@lists.laptop.org</A>
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<A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:ed60564a0805051630t5deb641ap825b2b17c65495c8@mail.gmail.com"><ed60564a0805051630t5deb641ap825b2b17c65495c8@mail.gmail.com></A>
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Hello,
In the COS (<A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="http://www.cos-la.org">www.cos-la.org</A>), we are working some months ago in some options
for that, specially with a portable solar panel trying to reduce their cost
(about 60 dollars each). The device -commercially available as cell
charger- is really small and can charge the XO without any problems. In a
field test in Junin and Arahuay (Per?) the panels works great, in fact, in
the recent event of FLISOL in Huancayo (Junin-Peru) for the OLPC project, we
test the solution (commercial) between 3400 mts and 4500 mts (Ticlio).
Antonio Ramirez, Carlos Reinoso and who writes now are working in our breaks
on this task (reduce the cost for about 25 dollars each).
2008/5/5 Caryl Bigenho <A class=moz-txt-link-rfc2396E href="mailto:cbigenho@hotmail.com"><cbigenho@hotmail.com></A>:
</PRE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><PRE wrap=""> Hello Javier Rodriguez and, all the other folks on the peripherals list,
After seeing the creative things Arjun Sarwal is doing with cow-power in
India, I started thinking of other possibilities. I remembered my
grandmother's old treadle sewing machine and how excited she was to have it
electrified. Later, I saw many being used 35 years ago in regions in the
Yucatan where there was no electricity.
Here is a link to a picture of what they look like. It is the one on the
left.
<A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade%2DLiterature/Sewing%2DMachines/">http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade%2DLiterature/Sewing%2DMachines/</A>
Many of these machines still exist. i see them at estate auctions every
summer in Montana. There must be thousands throughout the world. I have
twice tried bidding on just the treadle mechanism of one on ebay. I lost out
on the bidding for both, but have hopes of finding one in Montana this
summer.
When I get one, I intend to try to set it up as a combination desk/power
source to run an XO. If it works and doesn't cost too much to set up, it
might be something that could be replicated all over the world where these
old machines still exist...some probably still being used without
electricity.
Javier, have you seen any of these machines in rural Peru? Are they still
being used to sew? Would there be a need to try to design it to continue to
be used as a sewing machine but to generate power at the same time?
It might also be possible to manufacture a similar mechanism, at a modest
cost. But, the idea of recycling the old ones has a lot of appeal. I was
also wondering if an old automobile generator could be adapted to work with
it. Perhaps it would require too much torque to work.
It may be just a crazy idea, but if cow-power works, maybe this will too.
If and when I do this project, I will probably need some advice from you
folks. Any suggestions for starters?
Caryl
BTW, Could AJ's Cow-power generator be adapted to run on Llama power? How
about donkey power? Goat power?
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</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE><PRE wrap="">--
--------------------------------
Alfonso de la Guarda
COS
<A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="http://www.cos-la.org">www.cos-la.org</A>
<A class=moz-txt-link-abbreviated href="http://www.delaguarda.info">www.delaguarda.info</A>
Telef. 97550914
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End of Peripherals Digest, Vol 6, Issue 3
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