There's a kayaking "playspot" on the Delaware river between NY & NJ called "Scudders Falls". A dilapadated wing dam creates a 20' wide chute that water rushes through. Heading there after work, it gets too dark to surf too soon. My idea is to harness the river's energy to light some halogen spots on the area. To this end, I've: - recovered a 55 gallon tight head HDPE drum from the river (http://www.russell-stanley.com/drums/55ActII.html) - purchased a used permanent magnet DC motor on ebay (like the one at http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_experiments_tapedrivemotors.html) - begun mounting (8) 11"x14" plexiglass fins on the drum My idea is to - put a belt (perhaps a bicycle inner tube?) around the end of the drum and the shaft of the motor for a ratio of 37:1. Hoping to get 1500-2000 rpm's at the motor. - skewer the drum with a rebar or with conduit as an axle to turn on - possibly connect that axle to a bicycle pedal to benefit from its ball bearings (rather than have it turn against a saddle). May need to get someone to weld these together. - mount all of this on a piece of floating dock (also recovered from the river), with the drum hanging off one end - connect some DC halogen outdoor lamps (possibly like http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/LandFlSp/50PAR36-WFL), working out how many to put in series after I see how much power we're generating. Possibly also need an electronic component or two to avoid burning out the lights or motor. Any thoughts or suggestions!? Thanks, David ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Has someone you know been affected by illness or disease? Network for Good is THE place to support health awareness efforts! http://us.click.yahoo.com/RzSHvD/UOnJAA/79vVAA/FGYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Does your company feature in the microhydro business directory at http://microhydropower.net/directory ? If not, please register free of charge and be exposed to the microhydro community world wide! NOTE: The advertisements in this email are added by Yahoogroups who provides us with free email group services. The microhydro-group does not endorse products or support the advertisements in any way. More information on micro hydropower at http://microhydropower.net To unsubscribe: send empty message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microhydro/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
