Electronic generator how to make?
Answers
The very simple generator described below is primitive but shows the basic operation. It has been deliberately left as simple as possible so that there is maximum scope for using it in imaginative designs and inventions. It can therefore form the basis for a more complex device as shown a little further on.
The generator is made from a coil of wire (about 1000 turns) wound around the last 3 cm, or so, of a large nail. When a spining magnet is placed near to the device it induces a voltage into the coil and this can then be used to light a bulb (or better still an LED see end for details) - generation of electricity can therefore be simply demonstrated.
Step 1
Make up two cardboard circles about 3cm in diameter (1-2 mm thick). Carefully pierce a hole in the middle of the circles. Find a large (10-15 cm long, 6 mm wide) clean (unrusty) nail having a large head. Thread one of the circles onto the nail and push right up to the head.
Step 2
Cover the last 3-4 cm of the nail with a single layer of insulation tape (leave the nail head uncovered). Push the second circle onto the nail but only so far as the insulation tape. Add more tape onto the other side of the circle to fix the circle in place. You should now have a ready made 'spool' on which to wind the coil.
Step 3
Obtain some thin insulated copper wire (say 25m or so of 30SWG, aprox. 0.3mm diameter) leave about 20-30 cm free and start to wind turns onto the insulated part of the nail between the two circles. Wind 1000-1500 turns (the exact number does not matter much and will depending on how neat you can get them on before they spill over the restraining cardboard circles). Leave another 20-30 cm free at the end and then cut the wire. Tape up the whole assembly so that the wire does not come undone.
Step 4
Take the free ends of the wires and scrape off the insulation. Wire them to a bulb or to an LED. Bring a magnet close to the head of the nail and while holding it about 5mm or so from the head rapidly move the magnet from side to side. The Bulb or LED will light showing generation of electricity !!