I had an idea for battery source also.. not as complex or deep with generators i think personally that is far to evolved right now..

Just start with simple things like, miner type head lamps, where u scavenge for glass, and make that melted down and reformed into bulbs, using scrap metals turned into fillaments for the bulb.. power the bulbs then with batteries made from fruit acids and wound copper coils etc. Just use containers of whatever seems appropriate to house the battery components..

would be more in line with starting out again and be a nice addition to night time with lighting..