How to rotate a generator at high rpm using a slow lever?

Question

This is a project I'm working on. I'm trying to harness wave energy. A lever is moved (rather slowly) by the water and I want to rotate a generator (rather fast). Help me out here with the gearing!

Could you also suggest some motors/generators that I can use?

Answer 1

the lever needs to be fixed to a big gear.

big gear to small gear = high rpm, low torque

small gear to big gear = low rpm, high torque  

Answer 2

put a big gear on the lever.

put a small gear on the generator.

use a chain or shaft to separate the two, if the lever must be submerged.

Answer 3

You have the answer, gearing. More detail depends on a lot of factors that you have to investigate.

Average energy in a wave is very low. So your generator really has to consist of lots of floats and lots of levers and lots of gears and small generators.  Maybe a watt or two per wave.

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Answer 4

Big gear to a small gear