Water Powered Flashlight (v2)

Intro: Water Powered Flashlight (v2)

Batteries are too mainstream, let's make Water Powered ones! This is my newer version of my previous flashlight project, this time we are using pennies (literally)! The flashlight works by using water as its electrolytes.

Getting Some Inspiration From My Vacation:

I spent a third of my summer hopping on the pristine islands of Palawan. We wake-up early everyday (4:30am). We rented a boat for the tour and one thing that I've noticed, the boatman used a flashlight to prepare the boat every morning, same for the fishermen who wakes-up early. I stared at the sea for quite some time and I remembered, these men can power their flashlights using the saltwater around them.

Is It Really Powered By Water?

Th internet currently has beer batteries, lemon batteries, potato batteries and water batteries. All of these batteries are powered by the same thing - the Redox reaction between copper and zinc or aluminum. The fluid (or potato) is just the electrolyte, and any solution with dissolved ions - which is basically any solution in water at all - will serve as an electrolyte. Some chemists will react bad to this title, some aren't bothered at all. Let's just call it the galvanic battery from now on.

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The project is under documentation, probably done by tomorrow. I rushed it for the Green Design contest.

STEP 1: Parts & Materials

Common Household Parts:

- A Sheet Of Aluminum Foil

- Wet Wipes (Tissue Paper)

- 10 American Pennies

- Hook-up Wire

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Electronic Parts (for Joule Thief):

- 2N3904 General Purpose NPN Transistor

- Toroidal Core (from old CFL bulbs)

- 1k Ohm Resistor (¼W)

- Four 5mm White LEDs

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Tools & Equipment:

- Leatherman Multitool

- 30W Soldering Iron

- Digital Multmeter

- Hot Glue Gun

STEP 2: Cut Round Traces of Aluminum Foil

For homemade batteries, aluminum and zinc works as a good cathode. On my last project (the v1), we used a zinc strip, it was a bad idea to use it since not all hobbyists has them. Aluminum is the best alternative, every one has them at home, problem solved! :)

STEP 3: Cut a Bath of Wet Wipes (Tissue Paper)

Ok, first it's time do decide whether I should use regular tissue paper or wet-wipes. What's the difference? Well tissue paper tears easily and becomes mushy when it gets wet. Wet-wipes on the other hand is made to withstand tearing, it's almost like a cloth. I say choose wet-wipes!

Done deciding? Find a sharp pair of shears, the Leatherman's scissor is sharp enough, then cut multiple traces of wet-wipes. Use the coin as your guideline.

STEP 4: Stack Two Plies of Tissue Paper

Please follow the pattern correctly, otherwise the project would not work. I stacked two plies of wet-wipes on top of my penny. Why two? It will hold more water.

STEP 5: Next, Stack a Sheet of Foil

Now, stack the aluminum foil on top of the tissue paper.

STEP 6: Repeat Until You 10 Cells

Repeat this process until you have created 10 of these cells.

STEP 7: Glue the Cells Together

I glued my 10 cell galvanic battery to prevent the cells from separation.

STEP 8: Test It

My readings showed the my 10 cell penny battery produces 5.1 volts. That's a lot of power, coming from a galvanic battery.

STEP 9: Drill the Recycled Enclosure

The electrolyte needs an entrance and exit. Too much fluid inside would lead a short.

STEP 10: Make Plastic Dividers

Like all batteries, your penny battery needs dividers. Luckily my recycled enclosure has ridges, those ridges can hold small credit card cut-outs. I used my expired timezone card :)

STEP 11: Time to Get Salty!

Galvanic batteries love salt! Salt increases the voltage output. Sprinkle salt over the pennies then set aside the excess.

STEP 12: Add a Switch

I used a push button toggle switch. Kindly glue it in series with your penny battery.

STEP 13: Install the LEDs

Cut a fraction of perfboard then solder four LEDs in parallel.

STEP 14: Build a Joule Thief Inverter

It's up to you to build a joule thief. The Penny battery has enough voltage to run the LEDs. Adding a joule thief keeps the voltage uniform even when the penny battery needs replenishment.

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STEP 15: Waterproof the Electronics

The easiest way of waterproofing the electronics is by applying a thick blob of hot glue around it.

STEP 16: Put the Cover Back On

Put the cover back on and you are ready to go!

Thank you for your time! :D

Comments

[NicoleManalili]

Are there any other alternatives rather than American pennies?

[ahmafi]

Hi I think any copper sheet will do .

[manicmonday]

You can use anything that is made of copper, and the right size and shape.

[manicmonday]

When you say single strand wire do you mean magnet wire? Thanks

[SahibS1]

I live in India can I use Indian coin

[manicmonday]

Only if it's made of copper.

[Peregrine05]

I shall definitely try to make this kind of battery.

[AllysonA4]

Hi how much did you spend to create that one?

[Alden LukeR]

Hi, i am planning on building something similar for my gr10 science expo. Is it nescesary for the joule thief?

[Romy HamprayP]

Would a Copper-nickel-zinc alloy work? Thats what a philippine 25 cent is made up of.

[HashamG]

you cheated Angelo i saw the hold button of the multimeter turned on .And without any electrolyte these cells can not work

[Rajesh Barlota]

How can we make a call phone chager by useing water and salt

[SahibS1]

Please help I want to make a bigger project like this . Like a 5W led powered by water or solar energy . I have to help my poor neighbours as they don't have an electric connection. E-mail me at [e-mail]

[Medelis]

I'll Show You - How drinking water can deliver electric power ... Free Geen Energy without poison or toxins http://medelis.se/om.html

This battery generates electric power out of Tap Water (drinking water or any similar liquid).... its small and powerful

battery will work about 3 hours (you can always refill water - make it work again)

[SahibS1]

Is it necessary to use Joule THIEF

[MargarethA1]

IF I try 25 centavos from Philippines ... could it be work?? please reply .. I used this as our project for saving environment in our science fair.. I know that this is not my invention so? I get your idea So thank you :D

[Yonatan24]

Which glue did you use to glue the cells together? It probably doesn't matter but I'm just wondering

[yaasvanthkuhan987]

Can I use more than 10 pennies ?

[jkoi]

Whats the use of water if penny+aluminum+wet wipes could produce electricity already? Do we need to refill water always?

[aangara]

once the ions in the electrolyte are used up I.e battery dead , recharge it by adding water