Make a super simple barometer form a beer can and beans tin.
I am a 1st year student at Huddersfield University (studying software development) and being a student I am both skint and up to my elbows in trash (lazy flatmates never clear up after themselves!). So I though I`d combine weather and trash utilisation in one simple project.
There are simpler designs for barometers (though not much simpler it must be said). But this I think is effective, although quite vulnerable to temperature fluctuations, but if you keep it indoors it should be okay.
Here is the result (see image), apologies for the poor quality photo`s, rubbish camera and poor lighting I`m afraid. I will do my best to supplement poor pictures with hand drawn graphics where required.
Although everything featured in this instructable is found around the common household it doesn`t make it safe. Beware of sharp edges from opened tins, never allow minors to work with sharp objects. Keep Away from electrical items! It may spill, water is used in this project after all, and yes, keyboards are electrical items. I accept no responsibility for injuries or damage caused by this instructable, although the probability of any injury/damage is slight, to say the least.
This is my first instructable so please, lots of feed back (if you have any, that it) and don`t hold back on the comments, whatever you do, don`t `go easy` on me, nobody ever learns anything from that, thanks.
Enjoy
I am a 1st year student at Huddersfield University (studying software development) and being a student I am both skint and up to my elbows in trash (lazy flatmates never clear up after themselves!). So I though I`d combine weather and trash utilisation in one simple project.
There are simpler designs for barometers (though not much simpler it must be said). But this I think is effective, although quite vulnerable to temperature fluctuations, but if you keep it indoors it should be okay.
Here is the result (see image), apologies for the poor quality photo`s, rubbish camera and poor lighting I`m afraid. I will do my best to supplement poor pictures with hand drawn graphics where required.
Although everything featured in this instructable is found around the common household it doesn`t make it safe. Beware of sharp edges from opened tins, never allow minors to work with sharp objects. Keep Away from electrical items! It may spill, water is used in this project after all, and yes, keyboards are electrical items. I accept no responsibility for injuries or damage caused by this instructable, although the probability of any injury/damage is slight, to say the least.
This is my first instructable so please, lots of feed back (if you have any, that it) and don`t hold back on the comments, whatever you do, don`t `go easy` on me, nobody ever learns anything from that, thanks.
Enjoy
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If you paint the inside of the bean can with a rustproof paint, it should help prevent rust forming. Beer tins here are aluminum, and won't rust. Or, you could try using a plastic water bottle in place of the beer tin.
Instead of using pure vegetable oil for the working fluid, just add a few drops to form a layer on top of the water to reduce evaporation losses.
Distilled or boiled water might help reduce the growth of micro-organisms in the water. You could also add some water purification tablets to keep the growth in check.
Most of the bean cans I've seen have ridges on the side, so the rubber band idea wouldn't work on them.
As far as being affected by altitude, most barometers are. In fact, most altimeters are just modified barometers.
Nice 'ible, and a great idea.
Oh yeah... CHEERS!
Thanks,
Drew
P.s. does vegetable oil freeze at a higher temperature than water? I'm fairly sure I've had some olive oil freeze up in the winter (kitchen had no heating)... Even so, I'm fairly sure it wouldn't freeze up provided temperatures above 5/10c.
-Also, I used wide rubber bands (on the bottom) too help keep the inner can aligned. The oil acts as a lubricant on the rubber/metal so you can get a nice fit without impeding movement. On the top of the inner can I used electrical tape with a few layers of Teflon for the same reason.
Great Beer-o-meter though, Thanks!
Please feel free to write an Instructable covering your new improved design if you like :) alternatively I can set you as a collaborator on this Instructable if you'd be willing to insert some notes of your own.
Thanks,
Drew