Water Powered Calculator (Original)

This Instructable will show you how to make a very simple water powered calculator.
I built this because there was a time that we forget to buy a supply of AAA, AA, C, D and LR44
battery so I built this. It solve my problems so it might do the same for you too. Check out for more projects by: angelo10.

This is the original version by: angelo10

Please give the credits to me not for your selves. I saw people getting my pictures and telling  others that they made it. Please don't get all the credits!

Proud to be Filipino (pinoy) like Manny Pacquiao.

Step 1 Meterials You Will Need

You will need:
- A Calculator
- Carbon Rod/ Copper Rod
- A 1x1 Inch Aluminum Foil
- A Small Cylindrical Container
- Two 3 Inch Wire
- Multi Purpose Pliers
- Glue Gun

Comments

[Dipankar]

How long does the battery work? Good Idea. Keep it up.

[mathman47]

I think we have a good kid here. Now if he'll take after you.

[artworker]

Innovative. Nicely done! It's sad that teachers don't encourage these projects in school! Every student should know these tricks. 5*

[Dipankar]

Yeh! He's a bright kid. Hope he does well in life.

[chaitanyak]

most innovative - yet simple thing i found today! Good job!

[jmcdermott]

silly matrix, inside duh

[aschmois]

Great tutorial, my first try I had water leaking from everywhere and only a mere .3-.5 volts. Vinegar is NOT the best solution. I have tried and what seems to work best is Lemon Juice and Salt. (water and salt is still better than vinegar). The picture has two batteries in series which add up to a good 1.5 volts. However, for some reason I cannot get a light to turn on. My guess is that voltage reading stabilizes with a circuit, but the bulb cannot stabilize. Might also be the amperage not being high enough.

[ASCAS]

Yeah (:D) try adding a joule thief powering a LED bulb. It should work.

[ASCAS]

Nice job. I recommend you to clean each carbon rod carefully, there's a lot of manganese sticked on it. Second both metals should not touch. Third if none of this work make 2 more of this in parallel

[Pranjal Joshi]

this is marvelous project...!!
bt u cn do better with carbon n zinc rod using general acids.. :) wel done

[austinbro217]

Nice job man! I am just starting to explore electronics at 15 years old, and you are an inspiration for me to keep with it!

[ASCAS]

Thanks! But what ever you do, never give up, specially when you fail. Use your failures as your guide and try and try again, later on you will succeed.

[dagob]

What an interesting instructable! Thanks for sharing!
I think you should explaing why it works (scientifically)

[bloodgarm1]

i tried doing this but mine is not working... :( i have one doubt.. is it absolutely necessary that aluminium and carbon shouldnt come in contact?? in my model they are touching.. i just tried it 5 min back..

[ASCAS]

Yup thats the cause why it's not working. It shouldn't touch or else it wont work second you might want to add another water battery in series :)) I sell this in our country for $2

[Mr Sinster]

Do you get a lot of buyers of of this?

[ASCAS]

Yes. I sold about 15 of this in 3 days, I stopped because, I don't need money.

[shalo]

aside from batteries where can you find those cooper rods? pls help im so desperate :( and im from the philippines as well so if you a pls tell me:)

[shalo]

aside from batteries where can you find those cooper rods? pls help im so desperate :(

[Javin007]

Things I have learned since reading this instructable:

1.) Energizer alkaline batteries do not have carbon rods.  The batteries are filled with an inside "sludge" of zinc powder and potassium hydroxide, inside of a paper tube with a black carbon and manganese dioxide "sludge" on the outside.

2.) Said black carbon sludge will stain a white porcelain sink.

3.) Fiance does not find any of this as fascinating as I do. 

[ASCAS]

Its true. Any kind of alkaline batteries have the same components. Just use the cheap regular ones like Energizer.

[Bruno153]

My water battery only generated about 0.5 volt.... the calculator will need about 1.5 volt.... I added salt and then was the same....

[ASCAS]

I had troubles with this thats why I connected another battery in series

[batman96]

If you are putting the "water battery" in place of the solar cell, it will be enough those tiny solar cells only put out .5 volts in bright sun. If you are using a calculator that has a battery also, hook it up to the solar cell connections, because the battery connectors run through a resistor. If you put the battery in parallel with the solar cell you can leave it in and then it will use the battery when there is no sun, and the solar cell when there is light, and use both when it is dim. Just make sure you don't hook it up in series.

[eye881]

im doing this for my science fare in salem arkansas my teachers said i need 5 links that i got this info off of i put down lifehacker.com and instructables.com but i cant think of any other links.

[eye881]

and i have limited time so reply fast anyone'

[kquiambao]

How do you glue the foil? :)

[skysaber89]

What happens to the water? I mean, does it just disintegrate? Or is the salt used up? I dont want to waste the limited amount of water we have on Earth. This really is a big question I have, if anyone could answer this, please, be my guest.

[fjohn]

hey ur not wastin water that water inside is abt 2ml and can last abt 1 month i think so ur not wastin water ur conservin energy...and if u really want u can put waster water

[ASCAS]

Actually the battery only dehydrates the water. It's still water bayt with less minerals. You can still replace those minerals in some ways. Its still renewable.

[skysaber89]

Thank you, i just didn't want to waste water, since, you know, we only have so much water on Earth.

[naresh97]

I think you can use sea water for your water battery (Since sea-water has salt, it should even be better than fresh water)

So, no worries :D

[MadBricoleur]

Hey I have an idea! What if you wired the water battery and the solar panel in parallel so that there are two possible power sources for the battery? Oh, and add a switch for the water battery. When there is light, turn the water battery switch OFF to save energy and the calculator will be fed by the solar panel. Likewise, when it's dark enough to not have the benefit of solar power, let the water battery do its work! Totally green either way! Ah, and you might want to add an LED Joule thief circuit also powered by the water battery to light things up if you want to read the numbers in the dark.

[batman96]

That's what I thought!

[yvarcot]

Is it non the top and take better pic's!! And write MORE information!!

[arifsethi]

i guess you forgot the magic WORD....

[TragicSnowfall]

You might want to try some Borax and see how that works out. I'll have to try this sometime. I expect you would also do well to try recharging it too, although if you're using water obviously that's not in short demand. Just some ideas to play around with.

[juaninse]

The battery is actually not powered by the water. The water and dissolved salts are merely the electrolyte. He's consuming his anode. The title of the post is misleading. It should say, aluminium foil powered battery.

[Matrix-technician]

That's a very astute observation! I realized this too when i started reading this "ible". I would think gatorade or powerade would work very well too, as each are chock full of electrolytes.

[metalman55]

where is the foil glued?