Hi,
I am working on a renewable energy project to teach kids about energy conversion. The idea is to design an apparatus to include a water turbine connected to a DC motor and from there to a circuit. The kids will be given a short rod (made from pixie glass and will be acting as a shaft) and other raw materials to design the water wheel. Each kid will design a different wheel depending on their creativity. Choosing pixie glass was based on testing wood, aluminum, and PVC rods by trying to glue parts on them using the glue gun. The rod made out of pixie glass allowed for maximum "stickiness". If there is another material that you recommend, I would love to know about it.
Upon completion, the pixie glass shaft will be mechanically connected to another shaft (drilled in the middle to create a female connector for which the pixie glass "male" connector will go in and fixed using a pin) that is connected to the rest of the apparatus. At the end of the female shaft, I will have a DC motor that will act as a generator.
I am wondering if you can help me with the following:
1. Type of DC motor I should go for: I am thinking that the motor might need to be geared DC motor but with very low frictional resistance. The idea that it will turn very smoothly and easily to produce maximum current to power up the circuit.
2. Kids need to see some sort of manifestation of the energy generated, so I am thinking of having a circuit with power meter made out of LEDs where more LEDs turning on means that the water wheel is more efficient at transferring the energy. However, I was also thinking of building some sort of a circuit that I can charge an iPhone or iPad on. It doesn't need to be charged fast, but just having the kids connect the concepts together will be very memorable. Any ideas on this part would be very helpful.
Thanks!
I am working on a renewable energy project to teach kids about energy conversion. The idea is to design an apparatus to include a water turbine connected to a DC motor and from there to a circuit. The kids will be given a short rod (made from pixie glass and will be acting as a shaft) and other raw materials to design the water wheel. Each kid will design a different wheel depending on their creativity. Choosing pixie glass was based on testing wood, aluminum, and PVC rods by trying to glue parts on them using the glue gun. The rod made out of pixie glass allowed for maximum "stickiness". If there is another material that you recommend, I would love to know about it.
Upon completion, the pixie glass shaft will be mechanically connected to another shaft (drilled in the middle to create a female connector for which the pixie glass "male" connector will go in and fixed using a pin) that is connected to the rest of the apparatus. At the end of the female shaft, I will have a DC motor that will act as a generator.
I am wondering if you can help me with the following:
1. Type of DC motor I should go for: I am thinking that the motor might need to be geared DC motor but with very low frictional resistance. The idea that it will turn very smoothly and easily to produce maximum current to power up the circuit.
2. Kids need to see some sort of manifestation of the energy generated, so I am thinking of having a circuit with power meter made out of LEDs where more LEDs turning on means that the water wheel is more efficient at transferring the energy. However, I was also thinking of building some sort of a circuit that I can charge an iPhone or iPad on. It doesn't need to be charged fast, but just having the kids connect the concepts together will be very memorable. Any ideas on this part would be very helpful.
Thanks!