Hello, welcome to my Instructable on how to make your own piezoelectric generator!

A piezoelectric generator is a device that generates electricity from movement! In this Instructable, I will show how you how to make one, and how to save that electricity for later.

Good luck!

-TheArduinist

Step 1: Getting Started

Gathering your parts:

#1 One piezo element - available at Radioshack (US) or Maplin (UK)

#2 One breadboard - available at Radioshack (US) or Maplin (UK)

#3 One bridge rectifier (or four diodes)

#4 One 47uF electrolytic capacitor - available at Radioshack (US) or Maplin (UK)

#5 One SPDT (Single Pole, Double Throw) switch - available at Radioshack (US) or Maplin (UK)

#6 One LED - available at Radioshack (US) or Maplin (UK)

#7 Several jumper wires - available at Radioshack (US) or Maplin (UK)

Step 2: Wiring the Piezo

Insert the positive (red) wire of the piezo into the red bus line on the breadboard.

Insert the negative (black) wire of the piezo into the black/blue bus line on the breadboard.

Step 3: Wiring the Bridge Rectifier

Insert the bridge rectifier into the breadboard.

Attach one of the wave pins to the red bus line.

Attach the other wave pin to the black/blue bus line.

More on the bridge rectifier:

A bridge rectifier converts an AC input to a DC output. Read more about it here.

Step 4: Wiring the Switch

Insert the switch into the breadboard.

Attach the left lead to the positive lead on the rectifier.

Step 5: Wiring the Capacitor

Attach the positive wire on the capacitor to the middle lead of the switch.

Attach the negative lead of the capacitor to the negative lead on the rectifier.

NOTE: Do not insert the capacitor backwards. It could leak or even explode!

Step 6: Wiring the LED

Attach the positive lead on the LED to the right lead on the switch.

Attach the negative lead on the LED to the negative lead on the capacitor.

NOTE: If the LED is inserted backwards it will not work.

Step 7: Testing

To test the circuit, replace the capacitor with the LED, wiring the negative lead on the LED to the rectifier's negative lead, and the positive lead on the LED to the middle switch lead.

Blow on or shake the piezo, and the LED should light up!

When you are done testing, place the capacitor and LED back into their spots, and flip the switch to the left to charge the capacitor.

When you are done charging the capacitor, flip the switch to the right and watch the LED light up!