What is it:
This is one of my all time favourites for couples of reasons. Firstly, it’s super easy to build. Secondly, no batteries are required. Thirdly, you don’t have to be Thor to make electricity!!! We have learned from previous projects that we need batteries to run motors. What about doing the opposite? Can you move a motor to make electricity? The answer is certainly YES!
Age:
4+
Difficulty:
Easy
Category:
Maker
Circuits:
Electronics:
Simply replace the power source of your circuit with a high torque motor. In this project, we need to power up a 12V light bulb so we need a low speed high torque motor. Usually a motor with high RPM generates less voltage. A classic Tamiya racing car runs on a motor with super fast speed but has barely any torque. A motor with less RPM, in contrast, provides higher voltage, sacrificing speed.
You might also want to keep in mind that a light bulb is in fact a big LED. You have to make sure power positive goes into the anode of your light bulb. However, in our project, the light bulb has a built-in rectifier so that your light bulb will light up no matter how you connect the wires.
Brushed motors are a simple way to go but they are most likely to get their brushes weared out soon and doest seems to offer a good efficiency. To convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy more efficiently, you may need a permanent magnet motor.
If you’re tired of cranking out power like this, check the video below to get inspired:
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