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How to Build a Practical Household Bike Generator

We built a pedal-powered generator and controller, which is practical to use as an energy source and exercise machine in a household — and which you can integrate into a solar PV system. We provide detailed plans to build your own, using basic skills and common hand tools.

Bike-generator-living-room

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Posted on March 07, 2022 at 02:20 AM in Bicycles, Cover story, Energy, Energy production, Human powered machines, Low-tech solutions | Permalink | Comments (19)

The Revenge of the Hot Water Bottle

Imagine a personal heating system that works indoors as well as outdoors, can be taken anywhere, requires little energy, and is independent of any infrastructure. It exists – and is hundreds of years old. The hot water bottle could save a great deal of energy and money without sacrificing thermal comfort.

Hot-water-bottles-bar-terrace

Hot water bottles work both indoors and outdoors. Illustration: Marie Verdeil.

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Posted on January 21, 2022 at 10:50 AM in Cooling, Cover story, Heating, History | Permalink | Comments (59)

The Printed Website: Volume III & The Comments

The printed archives of Low-tech Magazine now amount to four volumes with a total of 2,398 pages and 709 images. All books are printed on demand. 

All-four-books

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Posted on December 02, 2021 at 11:17 PM in Access to information, Books & References, Cover story | Permalink | Comments (11)

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Recent Posts

  • How to Build a Practical Household Bike Generator
  • The Revenge of the Hot Water Bottle
  • The Printed Website: Volume III & The Comments
  • Fascine Mattresses: Basketry Gone Wild
  • How to Build a Low-tech Solar Panel?
  • How to design a sailing ship for the 21st century?
  • Urban Fish Ponds: Low-tech Sewage Treatment for Towns and Cities
  • How Sustainable is High-tech Health Care?
  • Vertical Farming Does Not Save Space
  • How and why I stopped buying new laptops

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