Hello!
I’m in the process of trying to build a non-chemical battery. I sick a bit of guidance as I tend to go down an engineer rabit hole, because of the complexity that the project is aiming.
My goal is to make some kind of object that could store enough energy to charge a smartphone’s battery. The idea is to have a heavy weight attach to some rope. As it would go down with its weight, the rope would drive a motor’s shaft that would then output energy. This idea ain’t new, I don’t want to break any laws of Thermodynamics.
With this simple setup I could complexity by adding reducing gears on the shaft, as well as a pulley system to augment the length of the rope. Obviously the weight would have to be heavier.
I would need this system to charge a smartphone’s battery. If it’s a bldc or stepper I would go by full bridge rectifiers and a buck/boost converter to output steady 5V (aiming 1A). I searched a bit and other than windmills enthousiastes, the subject is not that much documented.
The weight is probably going to hang from 2m high, so I can’t really be aiming for high RPM.
Generator with followed technical needs :
- Low RPM
- Output around 8W (with margins)
I made an experiment inspired by GreatScott’s video about producing energy with motors.
As I’m not as well equipped I did with what I had, a homemade, an oscilloscope and a drill.
I made the experiment with 2 stepper motors, which he stated as being best for low RPM.
The results were really not as good as expected, the power generated was way too low. And I have no clue what to look for.
One of the comment under the video stated that hub motors for bicycle could be better.
Of maybe a stronger stepper motor, with a lower step angle. But again I don’t know what to look for. There are no clear data about energy generation, as there are not design for such thing.
My question is : What do you think about this problem? What would be your recommendation of motor/setup to explore?
As I’m a designer, and not an engineer please be forgiving
Thanks !
I’m in the process of trying to build a non-chemical battery. I sick a bit of guidance as I tend to go down an engineer rabit hole, because of the complexity that the project is aiming.
My goal is to make some kind of object that could store enough energy to charge a smartphone’s battery. The idea is to have a heavy weight attach to some rope. As it would go down with its weight, the rope would drive a motor’s shaft that would then output energy. This idea ain’t new, I don’t want to break any laws of Thermodynamics.
With this simple setup I could complexity by adding reducing gears on the shaft, as well as a pulley system to augment the length of the rope. Obviously the weight would have to be heavier.
I would need this system to charge a smartphone’s battery. If it’s a bldc or stepper I would go by full bridge rectifiers and a buck/boost converter to output steady 5V (aiming 1A). I searched a bit and other than windmills enthousiastes, the subject is not that much documented.
The weight is probably going to hang from 2m high, so I can’t really be aiming for high RPM.
Generator with followed technical needs :
- Low RPM
- Output around 8W (with margins)
I made an experiment inspired by GreatScott’s video about producing energy with motors.
I made the experiment with 2 stepper motors, which he stated as being best for low RPM.
The results were really not as good as expected, the power generated was way too low. And I have no clue what to look for.
One of the comment under the video stated that hub motors for bicycle could be better.
Of maybe a stronger stepper motor, with a lower step angle. But again I don’t know what to look for. There are no clear data about energy generation, as there are not design for such thing.
My question is : What do you think about this problem? What would be your recommendation of motor/setup to explore?
As I’m a designer, and not an engineer please be forgiving
Thanks !