In our latest Weekend Project powered by RadioShack you’ll build a simple charging circuit housed inside an enclosure box. This circuit will receive electricity from a bicycle generator producing alternating current (AC). The charging circuit will first rectify and then regulate the output voltage to a steady stream of direct current (DC) at 5V. This is a suitable charge for your mobile phone or any other mobile device that requires 5V DC.
The adaptaplug system will allow you to quickly swap out the plug for whatever device you want to charge, while keeping the same circuit mounted to your bike frame. The circuit is able to charge a battery or power a live system, such as a boombox, for portable pedal-powered tunes while you ride.
We call this project the Pedal Power Phone Charger! Ours is attached to a bicycle frame, but the generator could be attached to anything that receives rotational energy. If you build your own version of this project, or find some other application for it, be sure to take pictures of your build along the way and send us a story about your project.
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