Earth battery.

Earth batteries have been used for centuries, but it more recent times they were used in the 1800's to power telegraph stations. In this instructable we will try to replicate the earth battery in two forms. First as a single cell and then as multiple cells. How successful will we be? Will it be free electricity?

Source:
http://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Earth_battery

Note: This project is not for use during a electrical or thunderstorm. If there is lightning, wait for some other time. Also before any digging is done, please check with authorities to make sure you will not endanger yourself, others, or the utility conduits. I will not be responsible for any issues. Practice common sense. If you are not sure, get an expert to help.

Warning: I will not be responsible for any issues from this project. It is up to you to get an expert if you feel uncomfortable in this project. Since you are stringing out wire and pushing posts in the ground, it will be up to you to protect against any safety issues for humans and or animals..

Note: I will be updating this unstructable so keep tuned. Without any rain, the ground is hard and may not generate as much electricity as we like. probably be watering the yard a lot.  Our goal is to power router and low power servers.

Step 1 What's needed.

Materials:
Backyard, though I suppose several planters could work for part of the experiment.
12 copper spikes (copper tubing was just too expensive and likely to be stolen from the ground. The spikes are easier to disguise and easy to put in the ground.)
12 galvanised nails. (cut up pieces from aluminium oven pans works better. I used the left over edges from our cannoli form making  instructable. (http://www.instructables.com/id/Home-made-cannoli-forms/)
Umpteen feet copper wire
One long roll aluminium foil
High value capacitors.

Tools:
Voltmeter
Wire cutters/stripper
Extra long measuring tape.  (or if you know your footstep stride length (usually about 2.5 feet) will be close enough.
Compass (for finding which way is north(if you know which way the sun rises and sets, you can do a 90 degree angle to that and be pretty close)

Comments

[Computothought]

Well we finally had some rain. The ground should no longer be rock hard. Need to do some maintenance back there, then I will do some more on the project.

[sam D]

What results did you get - volts/amps?

What are the high value caps for - energy smoothing?

[Computothought]

Yes about the capacitors. When I put up the pics, I will also include more details. Hopefully by this weekend.

[wfelix]

That's nice. Better if we have some real phots of the project :D.