Energy harvesting devices generate power from an external source. While they may include solar, kinetic and other energy sources that are also used on a large scale the term is normally reserved for small low-power applications. An example is a wristwatch that uses kinetic energy while the wearer is ...
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47 views
Values in a solar array
My dad had just bought a solar array of 4kW together with an inverter, a kaco powador 4400.
The array is now running and generating electricity. I am trying to understand how it all works, but ...
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1answer
166 views
DIY kinetic energy harvester
I'd like to make a DIY kinetic energy harvester and wish to use the electromagnetic method to generate electricity. So far I know the following materials that I'm going to use:
NdFeB magnet
...
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2answers
2k views
Is it possible to use Kinetic energy to power small devices?
I've tried looking around for as much information as I could gather to build really small wearable electronics that could power themselves by generating energy with movement.
I know that the ...
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2answers
96 views
I need a powersource based on locomotion (3V 20 mA)
Dunno whether this is the right place to ask this but i'll give it a try.
I want my bicycle light to be powered on the sideways motion of my bike. For this i would need a device which is also in ...
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3answers
455 views
Solar Powered Trash Compactor (Chicago Big Belly)
I live in Chicago and I walk past these trash cans every day that have a large solar cell on the top of them. These trash cans are supposed to collect energy which runs a trash compactor inside. This ...
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4answers
171 views
For a vehicle, what is the most efficient way to store energy from various inputs?
Background
For the past few years I have wanted to make some sort of recreational vehicle that runs on multiple-source renewable energy. For example, a kayak with a trolling motor that gets its ...
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1answer
238 views
Simple voltage build-up circuit
I'm planning on buying a Raspberry Pi and I want to power it using solar energy. Since the voltage input needed by the Raspberry Pi is 5 Volt, I need to build up the relative low voltage power input ...
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2answers
135 views
Given a source of mechanical input, can an RC motor charge it's own battery without extra cicuitry involved?
Background
I took my RC quadrotor to a windy field this weekend to fly it around. After the battery died, I retrieved it and while carrying it back home, I noticed that the wind was spinning the ...
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1answer
407 views
Generate power from motion
For a pet project of mine, I like to generate power from a rotational motion. (similar to bicycle tire turn). I want to build the system without a battery where as the tire turns I generate enough ...
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1answer
330 views
Difference between indoor and outdoor PV panels
I am building an energy harvesting sensor for building installation, and I have to choose between two panels:
Indoor, 5V, 47uA Isc @ 200 Lx
Outdoor, 6V, 15.9mA Isc @ 50 kLx (note the different light ...
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5answers
2k views
Stealing energy from radio towers or power lines
From this answer: How much energy can be harvested from nearby radio towers or power lines? What circuits would you use? How much would you have to absorb for it to be noticeable by the producers or ...
