Procedures on "Using a Fan to Generate Electricity.&

[Kyle S.]

When I felt the description of the project I was excited to do it. Unfortunately I'm having trouble comprehending the procedures of this project. Can someone please simplify the following? Do I clip the jumper cables to the LEDs and the prongs of the fan(?) Are those the two things at the end of the plug? This forum is fine and all. Just that. It's trouble for me. If so can someone just paraphrase the whole procedures into understandable text for a techno-tard like me.

[Louise]

When I felt the description of the project I was excited to do it. Unfortunately I'm having trouble comprehending the procedures of this project. Can someone please simplify the following? Do I clip the jumper cables to the LEDs and the prongs of the fan(?) Are those the two things at the end of the plug? If so can you contact me via [snip]. This forum is fine and all. Just that. It's trouble for me. If so can someone just paraphrase the whole procedures into understandable text for a techno-tard like me.

Hopefully I can clarify things... just want to make a few points first.
1) It isn't a good idea to give out your aim username or your email address in a forum like this (or any forum). All correspondance related to science buddies will take place on this forum for your safety... I think this was discussed in the sign up procedure.

2) Your second half of the email is really negative. I don't know if you meant this as a joke or what. I doubt you are a "techno-tard". I imagine you could also figure this out yourself with a little effort, rather than deciding that it is too difficult for you to figure out, and just asking for the whole procedure paraphrased. You need to understand what you are doing in order to have a successful project! If you really feel incapable of understanding this material, then you should pick another project. There are many different ideas for science fair projects out there; why spend the time to do one that you feel so negatively about? Pick bleep you really like and are interested in!

However, assuming that you really do want to do this project...

Basically, you are using the wires (jumpers) to connect the LED to the fan and make a circuit.
"Use one jumper wire for each prong of the plug, and connect each prong to one metal lead on the LED"

So, one end of the LED is connected to one prong (the flat metal blades that fit in the wall socket) of the fan plug with one jumper wire. The other end of the LED is connected to the other blade of the fan plug with the second jumper wire. You now have a circuit. Make sure none of the wires touch each other (other than the ones you have connected on purpose)- this will short out the circuit and your LED won't light up.

Hope this helps and good luck with your project!

Louise

[Kyle S.]

Well... As far as I know. AIM or email doesn't show any personal info unless selected to. Which I haven't. But I'll try to keep that in mind next time.

Pretty much too late to switch a topic either. I like the experiment just that the procedures and the material list can be a little more specific.

Well can you check if this set up is correct?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01686.jpg

And are these the right LEDs?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01687.jpg

I tried clipping on the jumper cable onto the two LEDs except they don't light up. I tried this in a pretty dark room as well no results.

[Louise]

Well... As far as I know. AIM or email doesn't show any personal info unless selected to. Which I haven't. But I'll try to keep that in mind next time.

Pretty much too late to switch a topic either. I like the experiment just that the procedures and the material list can be a little more specific.

Well can you check if this set up is correct?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01686.jpg

And are these the right LEDs?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01687.jpg

I tried clipping on the jumper cable onto the two LEDs except they don't light up. I tried this in a pretty dark room as well no results.

Thanks for the pictures... they help!

Read the instructions again... you need to make a loop (circuit). Follow the instructions using only one LED. The LED has two wires/pins sticking out- connect one pin to one jumper and the other pin to the other jumper.

When you do the experiment with two LEDs you can wire them in different ways, but all the wires will make a big (closed) circuit. (Don't worry about this now- just get the one led experiment working)

What level science are you in? It seems like you haven't covered this material yet... usually this is addressed in a physics class in high school. Maybe you have a section on it in your text book?

As for AIM- yes, it doesn't provide personal info if you don't provide it, but, you also don't want some creep trying to chat with you on aim because they found your id on the web... same for email. And since this site is for all ages, I would rather be over cautious and give out a warning.

Louise
Louise

[Louise]

I think this site is aimed at someone younger than you, but it shows some illustrations of circuits (and broken circuits).

http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/guide.html

This site has information about series and parellel connections which you will use when you try to do the two LEDs together

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/p ... u9l4a.html
(and then click to the next part Two Types of Connections, and so on)

Does this help?

Louise

[Kyle S.]

I am currently taking Biology. I don't think anything in my text book covers any of this. But... Our teacher required us to research this by ourselves.

As for your second post. Thanks for the links. They helped expand my knowledge on circuits. I was able to get the trophy at the end of the first one. The second link looks like it'll take a little more reading for me to understand.

Sorry for the late-ness between posts. I am currently trying to do two labs at once. Tough luck for me. So far this is what I got from trying to follow direction as best as I can.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01688.jpg

Here is a zoom in of the connections:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01689.jpg

From reading the links. I wonder do I need a cell to power this or have it light?

[Kyle S.]

Wait... For that last question. My bad. I am powering it by turning the fan blades correct? That should light it.

[Louise]

I am currently taking Biology. I don't think anything in my text book covers any of this. But... Our teacher required us to research this by ourselves.

As for your second post. Thanks for the links. They helped expand my knowledge on circuits. I was able to get the trophy at the end of the first one. The second link looks like it'll take a little more reading for me to understand.

Sorry for the late-ness between posts. I am currently trying to do two labs at once. Tough luck for me. So far this is what I got from trying to follow direction as best as I can.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01688.jpg

Here is a zoom in of the connections:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01689.jpg

From reading the links. I wonder do I need a cell to power this or have it light?

To light the LED you need a source of electricity. In the simplest circuit, this is a cell (battery) which provides DC power. You could try your circuit with a battery and see if it works. In this experiment, you are trying to create electricity from spinning the fan, instead of using a battery. How fast are you spinning the fan.

I cannot tell from your picture, but at the LED the two jumpers CANNOT touch each other at the metal. If they touch, they will be the circuit (called a short-circuit) and the electricity never gets to the LED. Only the plastic coated parts can touch. You should bend the two LED wires to move them away from each other, so you can connect the jumpers with out the metal clips touching.

Louise

[Louise]

Wait... For that last question. My bad. I am powering it by turning the fan blades correct? That should light it.

Yes... I must have been answering this question the same time you were writing this.

It cannot hurt to try the experiment with a battery. If it lights, well, then you know the problem is with the fan (not fast enough or bleep). If it doesn't light, then you know there is a problem with the LED, or a short circuit with the wires.

Oh, and good job on getting the trophy at the circuit website!

Louise

[Kyle S.]

I tried many things so far.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01690.jpg
This time I tried changing the fan, the LED, the jumper wires... Still no good. Of course I tested these variables one at a time not all together. And I'm pretty sure the rubber insulators are preventing the two from touching. Check my set up again please. Thanks for all your help. Even though all my repititions have failed slowly my knowledge is expanding through this trial and error.

[Louise]

I tried many things so far.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/k ... C01690.jpg
This time I tried changing the fan, the LED, the jumper wires... Still no good. Of course I tested these variables one at a time not all together. And I'm pretty sure the rubber insulators are preventing the two from touching. Check my set up again please. Thanks for all your help. Even though all my repititions have failed slowly my knowledge is expanding through this trial and error.

I would try with the battery... Everything looks okay.


Louise

[Kyle S.]

Hmmm. My jumper cable is too small for it to fit. If so what type of battery do you suggest? Even the AAA hasn't fitted.

[Louise]

Hmmm. My jumper cable is too small for it to fit. If so what type of battery do you suggest? Even the AAA hasn't fitted.

So, for this you will probably have to just touch the two jumpers to the battery and hold them in place.

With DC current you have to line up all the positives and negatives correctly.

See:
http://unclean.org/howto/led_circuit.html

http://white-leds.co.uk/led-wiring-guide.htm

You also need a resistor... do you have one? And does your LED package say anything about the current forwards and backwards...

[Louise]

This site has better instructions for wiring an LED with a battery.

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.co ... 7a777.html

Also, are you sure you are able to turn the fan quickly? In the first pictures, it looks like the case was on, which would make it hard to turn the blades.

[Louise]

This site has better instructions for wiring an LED with a battery.

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.co ... 7a777.html

Also, are you sure you are able to turn the fan quickly? In the first pictures, it looks like the case was on, which would make it hard to turn the blades.

Also, do you have a multimeter?

Here is another website. Sorry to reply so frequently, but I am researching this too... not sure why your project isn't working.

http://www.otherpower.com/toymill.html


Louise

[Louise]

This site has better instructions for wiring an LED with a battery.

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.co ... 7a777.html

Also, are you sure you are able to turn the fan quickly? In the first pictures, it looks like the case was on, which would make it hard to turn the blades.

Also, do you have a multimeter?

Here is another website. Sorry to reply so frequently, but I am researching this too... not sure why your project isn't working.

http://www.otherpower.com/toymill.html


Louise

You do have the fan switched "on" right- even tho it is not plugged in.

[Kyle S.]

Wow thats some complicated stuff... Well turns out I'm in luck. No the project hasn't worked well. But I have other assignments to do due to the joys of highschool (sarcasm.) So I'll have to start up this thing again tommorow. I'll bring it to school tommorow and run it through with my teacher. I'll see how that turns out. I was scanning some of the links you posted they seem pretty good. I doubt I have most of the items there. Except for the ones required in the project. Unfortunately I can't have this done by tonight. Not so sure bout sucess being needed in my lab book. I'll just show her my trials and she could help me troubleshoot this. Thank you for your time. Sorry if I took up your time.

[Louise]

Wow thats some complicated stuff... Well turns out I'm in luck. No the project hasn't worked well. But I have other assignments to do due to the joys of highschool (sarcasm.) So I'll have to start up this thing again tommorow. I'll bring it to school tommorow and run it through with my teacher. I'll see how that turns out. I was scanning some of the links you posted they seem pretty good. I doubt I have most of the items there. Except for the ones required in the project. Unfortunately I can't have this done by tonight. Not so sure bout sucess being needed in my lab book. I'll just show her my trials and she could help me troubleshoot this. Thank you for your time. Sorry if I took up your time.

Don't worry about it... this is science in action. Sorry we couldn't get this working tonight.

Your science teacher or the physics teacher should be able to loan you a resistor and a multimeter.

Here is what I am thinking. The fan may not be providing enough voltage to drive the LED. You should be able to test this with the multimeter. If there is not a reading, then you aren't making any electricity and obviously the LED won't turn on.

Also, do take your teacher the LED package too, as the information on it is needed to calculate what resistance you need for the battery set up.

I will ask around and see if anyone else has any ideas.

Good luck!

Louise

[deleted-71576]

Kyle:

I didn't see that you tested the LED by seeing if it lights with a battery. It is possible that the LED is defective / has burnt out.

Without the proper resistor, it is quite easy to burn out an LED. Some have the resistor built in, many do not.
Also, LEDs, being diodes, have a specific polarity. If it doesn't light in one direction connected to the battery, reverse the leads.


Wikipedia has the correct circuit for using/testing an LED:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_circuit.

When you again get time, please let us know if the LED lights when connected in the appropriate fashion to the battery. Then we can try to determine why it doesn't work connected to the fan

[TAMMI FARNSWORTH]

I am having no luck with this project either, I bought the lowest voltage LED that Radio Shack had.....2.3v and used a drill to spin the fan thinking the drill will spin it much faster than my finger and still couldn't get it to light, I've double checked that the LED is good, and even tried it with a christmas buld to see if that would light no luck. Does this project actuall work? What type of fan did they use? What voltage LED?

[Louise]

I am having no luck with this project either, I bought the lowest voltage LED that Radio Shack had.....2.3v and used a drill to spin the fan thinking the drill will spin it much faster than my finger and still couldn't get it to light, I've double checked that the LED is good, and even tried it with a christmas buld to see if that would light no luck. Does this project actuall work? What type of fan did they use? What voltage LED?

Did you check the wiring diagrams that are provided in some of the links above? Christmas tree bulbs (I think) don't have a polarity, but LEDs do. Also, LEDs require less voltage than the light bulb, so I wouldn't expect that the Christmas tree bulb would be a good test.

[deleted-71588]

If you are using common household fan/motor, then it isn't going to work. Most AC motors used in household products are induction motors that have no permanent magnets so the won't work as generators.

Try a DC fan / motor used in as a computer cooling fan as these are DC motors that have permanent magnets and will act as generators.