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Author Topic: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell  (Read 71340 times)

jeanna

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2010, 03:12:21 AM »
@the_big_m_in_ok
Each cell used a 4 1/2” x 1/2” galvanized steel triple coated conduit; 4’ of 14g copper wire and bottled drinking water.
Nice,
I am glad you did this.
They are handsome too.
In the plant battery experiments I learned that I could increase the mA a surprising amount by adding a longer length of copper.
This means the sacrificial metal is kept to a minimum.
At 7 cents this is not a problem as you say. ( ;D)
-----
Quote
  My hope is to use this as a power source to learn and build a good joule thief.  That thread is so huge, so much to learn.
Go to the joule thief 101 thread started by resonanceman.
If you copy/paste my several entries, you will get my suggestions for how to get going on a joule thief etc. (Of course, it is my take on it.)

Great stuff.
Thank you,

jeanna

b_rads

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #16 on: September 22, 2010, 09:28:32 PM »
@the_big_m_in_ok
I certainly understand how space and money constraints can impede participation in the many directions being explored here at overunity.  Never underestimate the value you give to a newbie like me when you exchange ideas, experience, and suggestions as you have.  Kudos to you!
Thanks – Brad S

b_rads

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #17 on: September 22, 2010, 09:29:51 PM »
@jeanna
Thank you for sharing your plant battery experience with me.  This information validates a statement made in reply #7 – “A small anode (zinc) and a large cathode (copper) will result in high current density in the zinc, hence a high rate of corrosion.”  More test cells need to be constructed and monitored.
I will definitely take you advice and start with the joule thief 101 thread.  Since you were one of the pioneers of this technology – I will gladly follow your “take” on this subject.
Thanks – Brad S

b_rads

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #18 on: September 22, 2010, 09:33:03 PM »
@all
Perhaps some of you need a good laugh today at the expense of a newbie.  I humbly offer myself to you.  I want to make certain that any results posted on these galvanic cells have been performed correctly.  Attached is what I think should be the correct measuring method with my multimeter.  Would a kind member please confirm or reject this?
Thanks – Brad S

the_big_m_in_ok

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #19 on: September 22, 2010, 09:42:13 PM »
@the_big_m_in_ok
I certainly understand how space and money constraints can impede participation in the many directions being explored here at overunity.  Never underestimate the value you give to a newbie like me when you exchange ideas, experience, and suggestions as you have.  Kudos to you!
Thanks – Brad S
You betcha, and thanks to you.  Let's all learn something while we're here.

--Lee

the_big_m_in_ok

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #20 on: September 22, 2010, 09:58:33 PM »
@all
Perhaps some of you need a good laugh today at the expense of a newbie.  I humbly offer myself to you.  I want to make certain that any results posted on these galvanic cells have been performed correctly.  Attached is what I think should be the correct measuring method with my multimeter.  Would a kind member please confirm or reject this?
Thanks – Brad S
Your drawings are correct by my electronics training:  Measure parallel for voltage and in series for current.

We all start somewhere as beginners; no need to be embarrassed.

--Lee

Linearfashion

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #21 on: September 22, 2010, 10:00:32 PM »
I believe old water heaters have a sacrificial anode made from magnesium, that woul be a good find. I have an old one at kicking around perhaps I'll give it a try! Forgive my ignorance but aren't pencils made from graphite?

jeanna

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #22 on: September 23, 2010, 03:59:05 AM »
I believe old water heaters have a sacrificial anode made from magnesium, that woul be a good find. I have an old one at kicking around perhaps I'll give it a try! Forgive my ignorance but aren't pencils made from graphite?
Yes, linearfashion, this would be correct.
Bill uses a magnesium water heater anode for the negative electrode for his earth battery.
Pencil leads are graphite. My hardware store gave me a plumber's pencil with a fat and flat carbon lead.

This is a copper zinc thread.

Lasersaber opened a magnesium/carbon thread which he called air battery.
It is getting confusing around here with all of us cross-posting different metals on different threads. (me included  ;) )

So, have a look at the air battery and join in the fun.

thank you,

jeanna

Poit

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #23 on: September 23, 2010, 06:57:40 AM »
Yes, linearfashion, this would be correct.
Bill uses a magnesium water heater anode for the negative electrode for his earth battery.
Pencil leads are graphite. My hardware store gave me a plumber's pencil with a fat and flat carbon lead.

This is a copper zinc thread.

Lasersaber opened a magnesium/carbon thread which he called air battery.
It is getting confusing around here with all of us cross-posting different metals on different threads. (me included  ;) )

So, have a look at the air battery and join in the fun.

thank you,

jeanna

hi all, a little update.... very little (if any) corrosion has occurred on my setup (see very first post)...... i got a little distracted with making a lead battery hehe..... ill post some update pictures of my original copper zinc setup later today.

Hope

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #24 on: September 24, 2010, 09:43:37 AM »
KK NP  waiting,  (kinda like my pix when  found the kids hijacked my camera batteries

wattsup

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    • Spin Conveyance Theory - For a New Perspective...
Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #25 on: September 24, 2010, 02:21:33 PM »
If any of you are interested in zinc/copper powder, we use this in our water treatment systems since many many years to neutralize chlorine and many other elements. It is known as KDF powder.

http://www.kdfft.com

It is available from any local water treatment dealer or wholesaler. I wonder if this powder was used to mold some toroidal cores or plates, if there maybe an advantage for making some coupling devices or used as a non-gaped spark gap where power can transfer between the metals fines in minuscule but multiple sparking while a coil wrapped over it can catch the radiant side.

Anyways just thought I would mention it and sorry if this may be off topic.

b_rads

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #26 on: September 24, 2010, 06:49:09 PM »
Quote
If any of you are interested in zinc/copper powder,
This raises interesting possibilities.  @jeanna has me thinking about ways to increase surface area of the copper cathode.  Zinc powder is very inexpensive, pure copper powder might be harder to come by.  Using a conductive glue to make your own cathode and anode might lead to some very creative builds and greatly increased surface areas to work with.  I will be thinking about this!

b_rads

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #27 on: October 05, 2010, 08:21:51 PM »
@All – Looking for ideas on how to exploit this small power output.  Experience with these cells shows constant output for 3+ months 24/7.  1st thought – possibly capture the energy in a cap for short term power supply (like the little solar accent lights).  Any ideas?

the_big_m_in_ok

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #28 on: October 12, 2010, 10:21:41 PM »
@All – Looking for ideas on how to exploit this small power output. ...
One set in series with the other?  Voltage and current combined.  Several set added gives you proportionally more power to work with.
Quote
...  Experience with these cells shows constant output for 3+ months 24/7.
Are these units functioning continously for all that time?  I have the experience my cells hold a charge for months.
Quote
1st thought – possibly capture the energy in a cap for short term power supply (like the little solar accent lights).  Any ideas?
Other Members implied that a super cap will take forever to charge with one earth battery.  Your cell gives similar power output?  You would need a lot of these cells connected together to shorten the time period.

--Lee

b_rads

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Re: Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell
« Reply #29 on: October 13, 2010, 06:22:25 PM »
@the_big_m_in_ok
1.  I totally agree that by adding cells parallel and in series would increase power.  I am still searching for the best way to recover the energy created from the galvanic interaction.
2.  Once I add water to the cells, I have connected red led’s and leave them on.  This way the cells are under a constant load.
3.  I have just started exploring the mysteries of the joule thief circuit and have found that torroids vary tremendously.  I have built 3 basic circuits and all 3 behave differently.  The one with a small ferrite bead from a cfl outperforms the other two by a significant margin with these cells.
BTW: Have you made the move to your new abode yet? 

Update:  I have discovered 40g copper foil.  Replacing the copper wire cathode with the copper foil has increased the power output over 100% from the galvanic wire and copper wire cells and over 40% from the copper wire and conduit cells.  I think I am making progress here. 
Brad S