Device Charging With a Multi-turbine (on Faucet, Wind, Bike, While Sporting and Etc.)

I love every green energy gadgets and devices but they are specialized only for one electricity generator like a solar cell or a wind turbine. the wind turbine chargers are big and they can't be used as a hydroturbine. I tried to make a waterproof multiturbine that can be powered by wind or by any flowing material like water. So I designed this very small charger that can be installed on a faucet, on a bike, or in a river (or everywhere you want). Works well under your downspout or on your arm while running. It charges a 3000 mAh Li-Ion battery but can be connected directly to your phone. Before we start you need to know that this instructable completes my solar charger instructable but can be used separately too. The most of the parts that I used are salvaged from somewhere so this was a really cheap project. So I'll describe you where I got my parts in the next step. Oh and I'll make a new design for this gadget because don't like how now is looking. I hurried to complete until the ending date of the Make energy contest. So gather materials!

Step 1: Tools, Parts and Salvaging

Tools that you need:

glue gun
multimeter
cutting tools
rotary tool
electrical tape
solder and soldering

Parts and Salvaging:

for the multi-turbine you'll need a small motor
a 5v step up circuit
a small propeller for the motor
and a 20mm PVC tube from a hardwere store

The motor and the propeller are salvaged from my old RC Helicopter but you can find also in any phones without the propeller. You can make a propeller from a plastic sheet (costs about $1). The 5v voltage step up is bought from the ebay.

for the power bank you'll need a 3.7v battery with a capacity between 3000-2000mAh
a USB lithium charger circuit
a switch
and a 5v step up circuit
Use a box for the power bank, I hurried and I haven't at home!

So the batteries that you can see on the pictures are salvaged from old phones (950mAh, 1000mAh and 1020mAh). The lithium charger is from the same RC Heli. Never charge lithium batteries without a charger circuit they can explode! If your partlist is complete let's go crafting!

Step 2: Soldering-Turbine

This will be very easy. If you have enough space for your full circuit don't cut the USB jack. I needed to cut and soldered back with a wire later you'll see why I made this. Be careful with the polarities! My motor polarity has been revesred. So simply solder the two wires of the DC motor to the 5v step up somehow like on the images.If your circuit is done go craft in a PVC tube.

Step 3: Building the Turbine

First cut 2 small pices from the plastic sheet.
See on the second image.
Than glue to the bottom of the motor.
Cut 4 lines on the PVC for the plastic pieces and insert the motor in.
After this remove this Red LED from the circuit (see on 7th image).
Finally glue the circuit and the USB jack on the PVC.

Step 4: Waterproofing and Testing

Get your glue gun and some electrical tape than make the full device waterproof. Won't happens nothing if some water flows inside, but this is the safest way. If you want test it with your faucet. Fix onder it than plug your phone in and the charging begins. The multi-turbine now is done. Install on your bike or on your arm, and when you move starts charging any device. Even tablets! The output voltage will be 5 volts and the current about 300mA. Charges slower than a wallplug but it works! If you want go build the power bank!

Step 5: Solder and Build the Power Bank

Glue the salvaged batteries together than silder them in paralell. Paralell means that connect every positive to the positive and every negative to the negative output. After this use your USB charger and charge up this battery pack just like on the 3rd image. Use your glue gun agian and make complete the power bank. Test it on your phone than make this waterproof too.

About the circuit:

Don't charge your phone while charging the power bank from a wallplug. You can charge while cycling or while moving, but from the wallplug the current is too high.

When you don't use turn off the circuit.

Be careful with Li-ion batteries never short them. May cause fire!!!

Step 6: Waterproofing

Get your glue gun and electrical tape agian and make ot waterproof. I think no need more explanation. So go test it!

Step 7: The Last Tests

Install the discharged power bank on your faucet and when you use the faucet the multi-turbine will generate electricity. Or put on your arm with a belt (not like me with tape) and when you run the charging begins. But you can charge up your battery pack also from a wallpug or from computer. On the last image is charged upwirh a 5v regulated solar cell.

If you liked it share, write your opinion and vote on me. In my next instructable I'll present you a very especial soldering station so follow me if you want to see! Oh and sorry for my potential grammar errors.