Self-Powered Lamp Progress
Follow along with the development and updates of this project.
IC + LED
Integrate an LED and a soldered circuit into the final generator design. Officially complete v1.
Optimizations
Some final optimizations for the generator. Aerodynamics, magnetic bearing, larger coil, etc.
Powered an LED
Got the generator connected and powering an LED!
Redesigned generator again (flywheel)
A small redesign of generator to position coil below magnets. Found this orientation to conserve energy better and spin longer.
Started testing magnetic bearings
Had been using thrust bearings to this point and was loosing lots of energy to friction. Started experimenting with magnetic bearings.
Redesigned the generator
Redesigned the generator to work with a single rotor and more magnets. Printed it and got first measurable readings!
Wound the serpentine coil
Printed a coil winder and wound the serpentine coil to use with generator.
Started printing first design
Tried printing parts from the initial design. Realized the 2 rotor design would be complicated to manufacture at the small scale.
Bought a 3D printer
Got a 3D printer so I could quickly iterate on design of generator.
Initial flywheel design
First design of flywheel with magnetic bearings. Heavily influenced by the yt video.
Failed skateboard wheel design
Attempted spinning magnets on a skateboard wheel next to a coil of wire. Failed to generate any measurable voltage.
