change of current

[chil]

I want to use a push bike on a stand to drive a car alternator which in turn will power something like a scaletrix or other small appliance. I realise that I have to change the current from AC to DC, can I run this through an inverter or do I need to run it through a battery and then an inverter.
I can work out all the other bits but the electrics have me a bit stuck.

[heathfield]

Still looking for an answer? Why don't you just have a search on Google for ''bicycle generator''? There are many links, some with free plans, and some using car alternators.

[Vagrant]

The device you need is a rectifier, not an inverter.

[Electrochem]

A car alternator already has a rectifier built in. Otherwise it would not be able to charge the battery.

[solera]

scalextric cars pull a surprising amount of amps run it off a car battery and keep a charger switched on, our club had a 4 lane circuit and with modded cars would take about 20 amps at full bore, rewind the motors and controllers or they burn out.