Electrical energy management for manually powered devices

A manually powered apparatus includes a mechanical energy input device that releases mechanical energy. The mechanical energy input device has first and second mechanical energy delivery cycles. A generator is mechanically coupled to the mechanical energy input device. The generator converts released mechanical energy to electrical energy. The electrical energy includes first current levels and second current levels that decrease over time. The generator supplies the first current levels in response to the first mechanical energy delivery cycle. The second current levels are supplied in response to the second mechanical energy delivery cycle. A load is connected to the generator. The load requires a predetermined current for operation. The first current level is greater than the predetermined current, and the second current level is less than the predetermined current. An electrical energy storage device is connected between the generator and the load. The electrical energy storage device is charged during the first mechanical energy delivery cycle, and the electrical energy storage device is discharged during the second mechanical energy delivery cycle. An isolator is connected between the electrical energy storage device and the load. The isolator minimizes reverse current flow from the electrical energy storage device to the generator. A disconnector is electrically connected between the electrical energy storage device and the load. The disconnector decouples the load from the electrical energy storage device to prevent the electrical energy storage device from completely discharging.