If you can arrange for something -- the hamster -- to put mechanical energy into the wheel, it's certainly possible to extract (electrical) energy from the wheel.
Not much, of course, unless you have a large army of hamsters. And the energy is actually coming from the food you give them.
Actually, my first car was powered by hamsters being chased by cats, both on treadmills. Or at least, that was about how much power it seemed to have. Eventually, either the hamsters escaped or got caught and it stopped running.
Attach a DC motor to the wheel. It will be harder to spin than before, but will generate voltage. If you rectify it, then regulate the voltage, you could probably use it to (very slowly even for a not-lazy hamster) charge your cellphone.
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Best Answer 11 years ago
If you can arrange for something -- the hamster -- to put mechanical energy into the wheel, it's certainly possible to extract (electrical) energy from the wheel.
Not much, of course, unless you have a large army of hamsters. And the energy is actually coming from the food you give them.
Possible, yes. Practical, not really.
Answer 11 years ago
Yeah, it would probably be more efficient to just burn the hamster food, LOL.
Answer 11 years ago
Or the hamsters.... ;-)
Answer 11 years ago
+1
...beat me to that one....
Answer 11 years ago
I was waiting for someone to say that. ;)
I don't think they burn very well though. I don't recommend trying it.
Answer 11 years ago
Dry them first, like beef jerky.
Answer 11 years ago
Using the hamster food as a fuel source for heat?
Answer 11 years ago
Solar cooker paraboloid! Dries and cooks 'em at the same time, with Free Energy (TM).
Answer 11 years ago
Now I'm getting hungry.
Answer 11 years ago
Not much on a Hamster, now Guinea pigs are fine eating, in Columbia I think.
Answer 11 years ago
Yes, I've heard that.
Answer 11 years ago
Actually, my first car was powered by hamsters being chased by cats, both on treadmills. Or at least, that was about how much power it seemed to have. Eventually, either the hamsters escaped or got caught and it stopped running.
10 years ago
if you have a critter trail revoultion like me you could just hot glue a small dc motor in the rivet
11 years ago
Attach a DC motor to the wheel. It will be harder to spin than before, but will generate voltage. If you rectify it, then regulate the voltage, you could probably use it to (very slowly even for a not-lazy hamster) charge your cellphone.
11 years ago
Use a dog instead.
L