Treadle computer
From Makers Local 256
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Creator: |
Contents
Overview
A treadle (foot pedal from an old sewing machine) powered computer. Got the idea from The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi. The idea of a user powered computer seems like a great way to stay on task when one sits down to use it. You'll sit down and type up that e-mail instead of watching youtube videos for a half hour.
Needed
- treadle ✓
- low power computer ✓
- low power display ✓
- small battery or capacitor bank
- circuit to detect the absence of voltage in and send a signal to the computer to hibernate to disk.
- serial connection to computer
Attempt #1
Belt driven
- Flywheel turns a belt that then turns and alternator.
- Alternator is a good choice as it's already setup with a voltage regulator, etc for charging a 12V lead acid/AGM battery.
Power regulation
- Wagan (EL2892) TravelCharge 9.6 Amp Quad Power Hub
- 12V in and 5V 9.6A out
- may get a second one just for the extra ports
Power monitoring
Display
- AOC E1649FWU 16" USB-Powered Portable LED Monitor
- 5V 2A, which may sound high but the screen should be really nice
- USB mini to USB A y-connector
- presumably because of the limited amp output of USB ports on computers
Computer
- Raspberry Pi 2 model B
- 5V 350mA
- there are faster boards out there but this one was easily obtained and can be replaced if necessary
Notes
- I'll be obtaining a donated Singer treadle powered sewing machine on 08/16/2013. Researched low power displays and came up with three possible solutions: pixel qi 10" ($299), mimo 710s 7" displaylink display ($140), or pico projector (~$200 and would require shading on the desk) --strages (talk) 10:17, 13 August 2013 (CDT)
- AOC E2251FWU 22 - Inch Widescreen USB LED Monitor
- latest-ish Ubuntus are fully displaylink compatible
- 5V computer hardware comparison
- another low power ARM computer
- '84 Ford Ranger alternator is the cheapest alternator to be had.
- MarS board
Final design
References
- Jean-Paul Tarit's treadle computer
- direct drive?
- Muckle LLP's treadle computer
- belt driven
