Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

[4-ABBA]

See:

http://windupradio.com/FPwesa.htm

~~4-ABBA

[T. Modesto,PhD]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

Overstock.com has Innovage Emergency Wind Up Flashlight & Radio Set for $19.99 with free shipping.
catalog # 10240654

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=1919200&cid=100347&fp=F

this is a 2 item set with a separate hand crank flash light and a radio that is hand crank. It's not solar but will certainly do in an emergency and is at a real good price especially with no shipping. Maybe good for holiday gifts?

They also have a battery-free wind-up FM radio with flashlight all in one that is $19.99 but are currently sold out. That one is solar as well as hand crank.

TM

[MHSC]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

Great idea, here is the info

Product Features

• Step Treadle for power anytime anywhere
• Recharge at home or on the move from AC or DC power sources
• Provides power to products via the 12 V DC cigarette lighter adapter
• Can Jump-start marine and automobile engines
• LED display bar for convenient battery level indication
• LED display bar for input effort level indication
• Contains a sealed, non-spill, 7 amp-hour lead acid battery
• Specifically designed for user serviceability
• Dedicated product support from Freeplay
• 2 year warrant

Accessories

• Jumper Cables - AC Charging Adapter for recharging from a standard wall outlet
• DC Charging Cable for recharging from your vehicle or boat
• Water resistant carry bag with accessory pouches (Reflective material strips, and leash)
• Service tool kit

Typical Performance Characteristics
Results may vary between devices and are guidelines only 5 Minute Step Charge* Fully Charged Cell phone (1 Watt) 2 hrs 10min 70 hrs Satellite phone (6 Watt) 20min 12 hrs Portable DVD Player (12Watt) 10min 6 hrs PDA (1 Watt) 2 hrs 10min 70 hrs Handheld GPS (0.8 Watt) 2 hrs 35min 87 hrs 12V Portable Television 14? (40 Watt) 3min 1 hr 45min 12V GPS (5.5 Watt) 22min 12 hr 40min 12V Search Light (100 Watt) 2min 40min Laptop Computer (65 Watt)** 2min 20 sec 1 hr 60W Light Bulb (60 Watt)** 2min 30 sec 1 hr 10min Jump Start Performance***
Results will vary between engine size and configuration Vehicle (4 Cylinder)
Outboard Engine (85 Hp)
(2 second crank period) 1 Cycle 10 Cycles * Step charge characterized by an average 30 Watt delivery (50 - 60 steps per minute)
** To be powered through an inverter (not supplied), performance may vary from model to model
*** When step charging according to operating instruction recommendation for flat Weza and flat, un-damaged vehicle battery

FREEPLAY FREECHARGE WEZA - PORTABLE ENERGY SOURCE

Freeplay's new Weza is a solid, foot-powered energy source really pumps out the juice at up to a 40-watt rate to charge its own internal battery for direct 12-volt power. To charge it, you simply step down on the pedal and the generator spins. Charging to full power takes modest dedication.

Power outputs include negative and positive posts with a set of jumper cables and a cigarette lighter output. A line of LED's gives you your charge rate while pedaling and battery level with the touch of a button. AC adapter included. Weight: 20.5 lbs. Size: 8.5" W x 11.1" H x 17.25" D, with 66" jumper cables.

• No disposable batteries required
  
• Self-sufficient power - AC/DC, step treadle
  
• Powers products via 12 V DC cigarette lighter adapter
  
• LED display bar for battery level indication
  
• Can jump start automobile motors, boats, ATV's
  
• Recharge from AC or DC power sources
  
• Includes: jumper cables, AC/DC charger, service tool kit, & waterproof carrying bag
  
• Weight: 17.75 lbs. with battery

[4-ABBA]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

Thanks for posting this. :-)

[T. Modesto,PhD]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

sounds interestign, where do you buy it and how much?

Great idea, here is the info

Product Features

• Step Treadle for power anytime anywhere
• Recharge at home or on the move from AC or DC power sources
• Provides power to products via the 12 V DC cigarette lighter adapter
• Can Jump-start marine and automobile engines
• LED display bar for convenient battery level indication
• LED display bar for input effort level indication
• Contains a sealed, non-spill, 7 amp-hour lead acid battery
• Specifically designed for user serviceability
• Dedicated product support from Freeplay
• 2 year warrant

Accessories

• Jumper Cables - AC Charging Adapter for recharging from a standard wall outlet
• DC Charging Cable for recharging from your vehicle or boat
• Water resistant carry bag with accessory pouches (Reflective material strips, and leash)
• Service tool kit

Typical Performance Characteristics
Results may vary between devices and are guidelines only 5 Minute Step Charge* Fully Charged Cell phone (1 Watt) 2 hrs 10min 70 hrs Satellite phone (6 Watt) 20min 12 hrs Portable DVD Player (12Watt) 10min 6 hrs PDA (1 Watt) 2 hrs 10min 70 hrs Handheld GPS (0.8 Watt) 2 hrs 35min 87 hrs 12V Portable Television 14? (40 Watt) 3min 1 hr 45min 12V GPS (5.5 Watt) 22min 12 hr 40min 12V Search Light (100 Watt) 2min 40min Laptop Computer (65 Watt)** 2min 20 sec 1 hr 60W Light Bulb (60 Watt)** 2min 30 sec 1 hr 10min Jump Start Performance***
Results will vary between engine size and configuration Vehicle (4 Cylinder)
Outboard Engine (85 Hp)
(2 second crank period) 1 Cycle 10 Cycles * Step charge characterized by an average 30 Watt delivery (50 - 60 steps per minute)
** To be powered through an inverter (not supplied), performance may vary from model to model
*** When step charging according to operating instruction recommendation for flat Weza and flat, un-damaged vehicle battery

FREEPLAY FREECHARGE WEZA - PORTABLE ENERGY SOURCE

Freeplay's new Weza is a solid, foot-powered energy source really pumps out the juice at up to a 40-watt rate to charge its own internal battery for direct 12-volt power. To charge it, you simply step down on the pedal and the generator spins. Charging to full power takes modest dedication.

Power outputs include negative and positive posts with a set of jumper cables and a cigarette lighter output. A line of LED's gives you your charge rate while pedaling and battery level with the touch of a button. AC adapter included. Weight: 20.5 lbs. Size: 8.5" W x 11.1" H x 17.25" D, with 66" jumper cables.

• No disposable batteries required
  
• Self-sufficient power - AC/DC, step treadle
  
• Powers products via 12 V DC cigarette lighter adapter
  
• LED display bar for battery level indication
  
• Can jump start automobile motors, boats, ATV's
  
• Recharge from AC or DC power sources
  
• Includes: jumper cables, AC/DC charger, service tool kit, & waterproof carrying bag
  
• Weight: 17.75 lbs. with battery

[MHSC]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

When I clicked on 4-Abba's link, this is what popped up, I can't find a price tho...

[Lynda]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

I had one of these, but the first incarnation was defective, and money was returned.

Opinion: A lot of pumping for not much juice. It would be excellent for starting a car, or that type of emergency, or for a brief emergency laptop use, but your leg will fall off before the news is over if you want to watch TV. Or maybe they've drastically improved it.

[4-ABBA]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

Google reports these guys have them for sale online:

http://www.ccrane.com/more-categories/alternative-power/freeplay-freecharge-weza-portable-energy-source.aspx

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

Practicality is a major factor. When I had a nice little hand-crank flashlight, it required constant hand-pumping. Another model with wind-up design can actually store the energy - tis far more practical.

Same for my wind-up radio/light - I paid more, but it stores the power for a longer time.

So the ratio to human energy expended to power output duration is very important.

.

[Lynda]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

The Freeplay Radio is awesome. I would not put this item in that category.

[4-ABBA]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

About one week ago my wife and I got some handcrank flashlight's that after only winding up for 60 seconds have held their charge for over five days.

The brand name on these items is called DuraPro. We purchased them at Costco, and two of them cost less than $24.

Practicality is a major factor. When I had a nice little hand-crank flashlight, it required constant hand-pumping. Another model with wind-up design can actually store the energy - tis far more practical.

Same for my wind-up radio/light - I paid more, but it stores the power for a longer time.

So the ratio to human energy expended to power output duration is very important.

.

[MHSC]

Re: Off grid electricity: YES--and it is low cost!

We have shake flashlights that we bought at either Meijer or Walmart. They were around $15 and 20 seconds of shaking will get you about 30 minutes of light. The hold the charge for months. They are called Lee Tools LED Survival Light.