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Author Topic: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES  (Read 73031 times)

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #45 on: February 28, 2011, 09:13:36 PM »
have to tried not covering the internel electrode with anything if so what happened
Had you asked this question last week I would have replied that I think the separator is absolutly necessary.  Yesterday, for grins and giggles, I tried a different cell type that was not using a separator and it worked, although very poorly.  I will give this cell type a try without a separator when I can get back into the shop.
Thanks, Brad S

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #46 on: February 28, 2011, 11:47:39 PM »
I would love to duplicate your work and have one running 120+ hours too.

Many thanks,

Fausto.
Please share, I would love to see what you are doing.

Bizzy

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #47 on: March 01, 2011, 01:42:52 PM »
Had you asked this question last week I would have replied that I think the separator is absolutly necessary.  Yesterday, for grins and giggles, I tried a different cell type that was not using a separator and it worked, although very poorly.  I will give this cell type a try without a separator when I can get back into the shop.
Thanks, Brad S
Hi Brad
How much voltage did you get without the seperator? I haven't had a chance to work on any projects my parent's house was flooded due to the rain and thaw. But I hope to jump back into it this weekend!!
Bizzy

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #48 on: March 01, 2011, 03:34:52 PM »
Hi Brad
How much voltage did you get without the seperator? I haven't had a chance to work on any projects my parent's house was flooded due to the rain and thaw. But I hope to jump back into it this weekend!!
Bizzy
Sorry to hear that.  Hope everyone is safe and no permanent damage. 
The separator is an absolute must in the type cells I am building.  I tried a quick test last night with conduit and carbon - no separator.  The voltage was 0.09v.
Brad S.

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #49 on: March 01, 2011, 03:44:33 PM »
Observation: @all - please respond with your thoughts.
The magnesium carbon cells powering my little solar lights, Old one sealed using Epsom Salt and the new one uses plain water.  The plain water cell seemed to be dropping current faster than the Epsom Salt cell.  A wind driven rain fell yesterday and rain-water got into the plain water cell.  Last night the cell gained strength and the morning the cell light was brighter than when I made it.  Why would rain-water be better than tap-water?  Any thoughts?
Brad S

Bizzy

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #50 on: March 02, 2011, 06:18:07 PM »
Observation: @all - please respond with your thoughts.
The magnesium carbon cells powering my little solar lights, Old one sealed using Epsom Salt and the new one uses plain water.  The plain water cell seemed to be dropping current faster than the Epsom Salt cell.  A wind driven rain fell yesterday and rain-water got into the plain water cell.  Last night the cell gained strength and the morning the cell light was brighter than when I made it.  Why would rain-water be better than tap-water?  Any thoughts?
Brad S
Hi Brad
It could be one of a couple things, so i thought I would throw out my ideas for others to comment on or to add to:
First it could be simply that the cell needed water and the extra water helped to "recharge it" I know it doesn't actually recharge it  but it gives it the added moisture to operate. If that is the case build a simple cell run it and add water after a few days to see if that helps and has the same results.
The other thing it could be is that the rain water has a slight charge  to it it. Nikola Tesla proved that the atmosphere is charged and that only makes sence that water as it falls would collect some charges on the way down. If that is the case it could be that it added the charges to your cell.


We are still working to clean up my parents house and hope to be back in the tinkering room this weekend.
Bizzy

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #51 on: March 08, 2011, 07:48:27 PM »
For anyone interested, I have placed a step by step guide in the download section for the conduit/carbon/copper battery.
http://www.overunity.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=460
Enjoy,
Brad S

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #52 on: March 11, 2011, 05:51:08 PM »
@all
I fully intended to do research last night but, instead I played with a basic joule thief and the Carbon/Copper/Zinc battery.  What great fun.  I could not light a 5mm LED directly from the two cells.  With a basic joule thief the two cells produced a very intense light.  I could light with as little as 10.7ma and the pot used at full on would consume slightly over 50ma.  I need to find the sweet spot where the cells are not stressed.

The DIY Copper Carbon Zinc document is here:
http://www.overunity.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=460
The Basic Joule Thief 101 document is here:
http://www.overunity.com/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=441

Have fun!
Brad S.

guruji

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #53 on: March 11, 2011, 10:05:56 PM »
Hi B_rad great work nice nice. What is Alum? Aluminium filings?
Thanks

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #54 on: March 11, 2011, 10:53:19 PM »
Hi B_rad great work nice nice. What is Alum? Aluminium filings?
Thanks
@guruji
Alum: food grade found in the spice section of your grocery store.  This is used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain fruit and vegetable crispness.  People have been using alum in the restoration of lead acid batteries as it breaks down the lead sulfate that destroys lead acid batteries.  Many think alum has mysterious properties that preserve the anode in a battery and claim that early lead acid batteries used alum, but was discontinued because the batteries would not wear out.

Brad S

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #55 on: March 14, 2011, 03:48:29 PM »
This weekend’s fun little project.  8)  A voltaic pile battery using magnesium, copper foil, felt, and plain tap water with Alum.  Open circuit shows slightly over 4volts.  Enough under load to power a 5mm red led directly.   :)
Brad S

guruji

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #56 on: March 14, 2011, 09:40:37 PM »
@guruji
Alum: food grade found in the spice section of your grocery store.  This is used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain fruit and vegetable crispness.  People have been using alum in the restoration of lead acid batteries as it breaks down the lead sulfate that destroys lead acid batteries.  Many think alum has mysterious properties that preserve the anode in a battery and claim that early lead acid batteries used alum, but was discontinued because the batteries would not wear out.

Brad S

Thanks for the info b_rads it seems that this chemical preserve batteries but not health for sure :). In food all chemicals are introduced these days.

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #57 on: March 21, 2011, 05:34:51 PM »
Status Update:
   The 4 penny cells connected in series and built on Feb 20th are still lighting 9 led’s non-stop for a month (> 675 hours).  The intensity is not as good, but still puts a nice ring on the ceiling over 5 feet away in the dark.  I will make a DIY for these, I have simplified the construction and should have this available next week.
   The 6 conduit cells quit lighting 9 led’s after 3 weeks.  These were not constructed using copper foil and had Epsom Salt in the electrolyte.  Either the poor construction or Epsom Salt shortened the life of these cells.  I will be building another test group soon.
   The 2 solar magnesium copper cells, first one built on Feb 13th and the second one a week later are still running.  The second one using copper foil, carbon, and magnesium fire starter seems to be the better of the two.  If I let the water completely evaporate and refill, it starts up like a new cell.
   The small voltaic cell made a week ago is still lighting it’s led.

Brad S

b_rads

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #58 on: March 21, 2011, 05:36:00 PM »
This weekend’s project:
   I have been wanting to build a poor mans version of lasersaber’s air battery for some time now.  The two cells constructed are slightly different.   The one on the left is made with 6” x ½” copper pipe, felt, and magnesium ribbon.  In the cell on the right I filled the copper pipe with powdered carbon packed tightly and slightly moistened.  Start up voltage and current were nearly identical on both.  While I do not expect this to change, I will follow both cells to see if any anomalies develop. 

Brad S

Pirate88179

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Re: DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES
« Reply #59 on: March 22, 2011, 02:44:07 PM »
Brad:

Wow, you have been doing some great work over here.  Very impressive stuff.  I will have go back and get caught up but just from what I have read on the last page it appears things are going well.  Excellent progress.

Bill