Electric Generator Powering LEDs

Introduction

The Electric Generator is designed to help students understand how electricity is generated by actually allowing them to generate their own electricity. This generator is created using mostly household items. Follow the instructions below for optimal power generation. Have fun!
 
Video:

 
Materials List

 

Cardboard		Magnet Wire
Metal Rod		2x Magnet
String		Red LED (1.6v)
Optional Green (2.2v) and Blue (3.8v) LED

 
 
 

Suggested Tools:

• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Sandpaper
• Multi-Meter
• Wire Stripper
• Ruler
• Electrical Tape

Step 1: Building the Housing

Step One

The first thing we need to do is design the housing for the generator. The most important factor in deciding the shape and size of the housing is the size of your magnets. The magnets we are using are Ceramic Block Magnets with a size of 3/8” x 7/8” x 1-7/8”. Because of the magnet size we decided to make our housing 2-1/2” x 1-1/2” x 3”. This leaves enough room for the magnets to spin around inside the housing.
 

Step Two

Grab your cardboard box or piece of cardboard that you will be using. The thicker or stronger the cardboard the longer it will last. We found the easiest way to build the housing is to cut one length of cardboard and fold it. In our case we cut a piece of cardboard 3” x 8”. We then folded at 1-1/2”, 4”, 5-1/2” to form a rectangle. Just like the picture above. We then used hot glue to hold the ends together. Make sure you use enough hot glue that it holds together quite well. Now that your housing is built you can start to add the wire.

Comments

[greatmanhar]

I was thinking something bigger, maybe attach a magnetic toy which rotates without any help and attaching it to this. We can fix up more than 1 LED and make a bulb to light up the house. It would be extremely efficient if it worked! I love this generator thingie!

[Gabse]

A grate Flashlight :-)

[Errfadi]

it is like a baby toy , no use practically .
thank U

[EGRobotics]

It is designed for students in elementary school to learn about electricity. Instead of just explaining to students how it works, this is a cheap, easy, practical way for students to really understand by actually building an electric generator on a small scale.

[Errfadi]

I agree with you, that may give an idea or induce zeal to those who like or enjoy electricity,but i think collecting these things & put them together take time.
this( long time) isn't acceptable by children hence they prefer playing.

really it is a great effort ... thank u again .

[EGRobotics]

We teach 1-5th graders and the students enjoy this project. Our class is two hours long on this specific project and so far students have maintained focus and expressed that they had a fun time.

[Vidar_76]

Seems perfect! I will try this with my 11y students, have a feeling they will enjoy it!

[rimar2000]

Obvious. As a toy, is interesting.

[Wyle_E]

Quibbles: That's not shielded wire, just insulated wire of the sort usually called "magnet wire." "Shielded" has a different meaning in electronics. Also, most LEDs have a reverse breakdown voltage not much higher than their forward voltage, so they should be protected from reverse polarity. Two LEDs in back-to-front parallel will do if both are the same color.

[EGRobotics]

Hi Wyle_E,
Thanks for the note of shielded wire, I'll change it to magnet wire.

We didn't put the back to front LED in the guide, but have tried it out previously and works well. Even with two sets of LEDs it lights up well.

As far as only having one LED on it, we have tested it out quite a bit and have had no problem with them so far. We noticed the students lose them or break the generator before the LED breaks down.

[suicidal.banana]

Thats really cool man, nice job! i just feel like you should call it DIY Dynamo or something, but thats a technicality.
Will be trying this soon, thanks for the nice instructable!

[k2iran]

i like the idea.. gj :)

[joedavid2]

Great...

[Schmidty16]

so cool

[rimar2000]

Very interesting!