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DIY Science Projects

My little turbines

The construction of wind or water turbines connected to a small generator (alternator) allows you to experiment two different ways of transforming motion into electricity.

Most power plants in the World produce the movement required to opterate the alternator by heating water with coal, natural gas, oil or, as in nuclear power plants, through the fission of uranium atoms. After beeing heated in a closed tank and transformed into steam, the water volume increases dramatically. In the tank a great pressure is created which can be released to spin a turbine linked to an alternator. Unfortunately, this type of power plants produces a lot of pollution or dangerous waste and uses non-renewable energies.


This project shows that it it is also possible to produce the movement needed to operate an alternator with energies that are renewable such as the wind, water, waves or tides. These environementally friendly energies are also renewable. In Switzerland, about 60% of the electricity is already produced with the power of water.


Difficulty
Easy
Duration
2h
Rating
4/5
Price
~ 10 CHF
Testimonials
2

Building
With this DIYs project, the type of turbine connected to the alternator can be change. We propose two different ...

Construction of a wind turbine

Pass on an M3 screw, an M6 nut, an M4 washer, and an M3 nut.   With a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, tighten them all ...With a pair of scissors, cut the end of six plastic teaspoons.   With Migros spoons, cut just behind the round mark on the ...Using hot glue, glue each spoon on each of the sections of the large M6 nut.   The spoons should be glued in a 'diagonal' ... Firts glue 3 spoons (a) leaving a nut section between each of them. Let them dry, and then glue the 3 remaining spoons ...

Construction of a water turbine

Pass on an M3 screw, an M3 nut, an M6 nut and an M3 nut.   With a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, tighten them all together ...With a pair of scissors, cut the end of six plastic teaspoons.   With Migros spoons, cut just before the round mark on the ...Using hot glue, glue each spoon on each of the sections of the large nut M6 making sure to cover them.   Ensure that the cut ...First fix 3 spoons (a), leaving a nut section between each of them. Allow to dry and then glue the 3 remaining spoons (b).

Base and connections

Using three screws, attach the spring clamp on the top of the short wood slat and two metal brackets to create a steady ...Connect the LED bulb to two electric wires (all ends stripped) using a pair of electric connectors.   Connect the other ...Connect the two crocodile clips to the two contacts located at the rear of the electric motor.Clip the motor in the spring clamp.   Screw the metal connector on the motor axis.   Draw, colour and cut in a strong ...Slide a balloon on the end of a plastsic tube to create an 'wind blower tank'.
Date01.11.2013
AuthorMartin
Organizationinfo-energie
TranslatorMartin
Final purposeProduce electricity
FieldEnergy
Substainable development
Mechanics
Languagefrançais english deutsch
Licence