alt.energy.homepower

In article ,
"(PeteCresswell)" wrote:

> Per Ulysses:
> >You could make a bridge rectifier with four very small diodes and use an
> >adjustable voltage regulator (LM317 Radio Shack). You would only need to
> >add a couple of capacitors and resistors, one being adjustable, and the
> >whole thing would be not much bigger than a book of matches. You could then
> >choose 3 volts or 6 volts (3 would be easier) as long as the bulb does not
> >use more than amps. If necessary you could use the bicycle for a heat
> >sink. The Radio Shack regulator has the circuit diagram on the back of the
> >blister pack.
> >
>
> I wimped on the bridge rectifier and ordered 3 from Radio Shack
> (figuring I'll toast at least one klutzing around... and at three
> bucks each, why not?)
>
> Looks like I'll be getting a voltage regulator too.
>
> Sounds obvious from the name, but just tb sure: this thing will
> lock the voltage at whatever I set it to, right? So the input
> voltage may vary from 3 to 20 volts, but the output will always
> be, say, 3.
>
> As far as using the bike frame for a heat sink goes, I'd expect
> to find some sort of heat-conductive putty and embed the two
> components in that and just stick it to someplace on the frame.
> Sound right?
>
> Where do the capacitors and resistors come in?
>
> Capacitors to even out the flow and/or store a little for a few
> seconds of light when the bike stops?

Or you could get really cute, and get yourself a 3 - 32 Vdc Input
Switching Dc/Dc Converter with a 12 Vdc Output, and use a 12 Vdc
Bulb, or a 12 Vdc Multi-Element LED Light, and put a NiMH 12 Vdc
battery pack in there somewhere, and have lights whenever......
as long as you keep the pack charged.....