Hello,
I work at a nature center and we want to build a working display of a water wheel that produces energy, enough to power a small light bulb. I don't know/understand the components that we would need. attached is a photo of where we where thinking would be the best place to put a water wheel. Any help would be appreciated, even if its a reading on hydropower for dummies haha.
That will be a fun little demonstration. A water wheel is not very efficient design but can produce power. Is in the “low head hydro” category. There are undershot and overshot water wheel designs. I believe overshot are sometimes slightly more efficient. There’s lots of small and inexpensive demonstration generators on eBay. I’ve got a small yellow plastic cupped generator that cost about $7. I’m not sure where it is now but they use them in classrooms to show how to power a LED light or some very small load.
I've seen a car alternator with silver tea spoons soldered to the pulley wheel make plenty of power to light a bulb and more.
Overshot or under whichever is easier to fabricate.
A treadmill motor might do the job.
For all your Montana Masonry Heater parts (also known as) Rocket Mass heater parts.
Visit me at
dragontechrmh.com Once you go brick you will never go back!
Then YOU must do the pig's work! Read this tiny ad. READ IT!
permaculture and gardener gifts (stocking stuffers?)