[BC] Aluminum and magnetic/electric currents

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 02/01/2006 09:10:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
kzerocx at rapidcity.net writes:

>  I presume that the magnets induce eddy currents in
>  the moving paddle and I squared R losses convert the motion to heat.  Also,
>  isn't the rotating disk in a watt-hour meter made of aluminum?

I don't know about the watt-hour meter, but we bought a gadget to convert a 
standard bicycle into a stationary excercycle, and it uses an aluminum plate 
between magnets to provide a smooth drag. Adjusting the spacing between the 
magnets and the disc adjusts the amount of drag. That thing gets *quite warm* 
after a rigorous workout. It would be cool to harness that energy to charge a 
battery or something. <g>

Willie...