Author Topic: Low-RPM Hamster-Powered Alternator (Read 7445 times)

(unknown) · « **on:** November 21, 2003, 11:36:48 AM »

Complete design and construction details here:

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

A WORKIN' Hamster!

Skippy the Hamster is Otherpower.com's newest employee. His job is to run a nightlight so DanF doesn't stumble on the way to the bathroom at midnight. We outfitted his exercise wheel with a custom, low-rpm permanent magnet alternator and a data acquisition system based on a bicycle computer. We will be tracking watt/hours per hamster/mile (wH/hM) and posting the data on the board as it comes in.

We have already noticed that Skippy increases his power output dramatically when DanF's dog and cats are glaring at him through the cage bars. His average speed is about 2-3 mph, but he's hit 4 mph while being watched by hungry dogs and cats.

And of course this project would make a great student science fair alternator, and could work with wind or hydro power. It's designed for the 40-70 rpm range.

Cheers!

DANF

PS -- looking at the large dog herd that mills around the Otherpower.com HQ, we are considering a dog alternator now too!

whiskey · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2003, 12:28:36 PM »

A good project to keep the kid in us happy

One question, what happens when Skippy has too much energy and he goes nuts on the wheel, have you got a furling mechanism in the works too?......a dump load also seems inevitable.

Heh heh

Whiskey

ThomasK · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2003, 01:09:10 PM »

Hello DANF,

This is a highly precise attempt to solve such a Hightech question that have allways been around for long time! LOL, Roflmao.

Myself have a additional improvement which i want to tell you.

Give for Skippy a sort of racetrack cover inside the Wheel. This make the thing much more efficient.

just my 2 cents

Greetings Thomas

Ps greetings also to your rodent ingeneer "Skippy"

Old F · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:06:07 PM »

Uncle Rube Goldberg would be proud : ) LOL

The hamster will handle the dump load on its own .

After all that running he will stop to eat then he will pick a corner an dump a load : )

My sister is sitting on an energy gold mine. She supplies small animals to pet stores.

And sales about a 100 hamsters on a slow week . Then there's the mice , rats, and a wide range

of small furry beasts. That could be put to work.

Old F

BrianK · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:13:33 PM »

Go skippy Go

I used to have one and that little guy would wear me out just watchin him run LOL

)

Demetri · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:54:20 PM »

Wahoo, lots of fun! I wonder how much hp Skippy produces? Let us know when you figure out full output, hehe. Thanks Dans, great work.

Congrats to Analise, too.

Demetri

camp185 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2003, 06:25:34 PM »

That's a great idea...do you have any plans on generating power from a 4 year old daughter or son? Mine seems to have plenty.

Actually that just gave me an idea. You could set up a huge warehouse that is sealed of. Install hundreds of those generators, 100's of rats, and then just throw in your left over table scraps everyday. Finally a device that produces power from table scraps, and it keeps waste from going to landfills.

Actually I can't remember if it was in Scientific America's last issue or the one before, but they had an article about producing power from sugar. They also had another one about inserting a device into the sole of a shoe to provide power for our military men/women on the go.

wooferhound · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:36:39 PM »

Too Cool , How many MilliHamps does it put out ?

You need to use the power to run a motor that feeds the hampster, then you would have perpetual motion . . .

drdongle · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:59:41 PM »

How many hampsters equal one horse power?

Dr.D

Reno · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2003, 08:33:20 AM »

If you want to amplifiy the output

Get a cat

Bach On · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2003, 01:08:36 PM »

Whiskey,

Trust me. Hampsters dump their own loads.

Bach On

ADMIN · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2003, 10:55:13 AM »

Yep, I thinking a strip of corrugated cardboard for traction.

OR -- maybe little tiny track shoes and a possible Nike endorsement? The front of a Wheaties box? Next I might try feeding him on wheaties just to see....

DANF

ADMIN · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2003, 10:57:41 AM »

We will have that data for you soon!

The key thing seems to be getting the drag on the wheel from the coils and magnets just enough for max power output, but not so much that Skippy refuses to run because it's all uphill too steep.

We shall see....

DANF

ThomasK · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2003, 01:38:55 PM »

Hello DANF,

Good idea, but i´m thinking of Material which is used to cover a running circle in a Stadium for Lightathletics - just to make it more convinient for your Powerrunner.

This should be inside of the Wheel. lol

Thomas

Luke Dogwalker · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2004, 01:24:29 PM »

Are you Richard Bach of 'J L Seagull' & just about everything I've ever flown fame?

Buck L · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2006, 11:29:01 PM »

I think the hamster gen and your comments are the greatest, makes me laugh my --- off. I don't know how you guys have the time to do all that you do. But Ill tell you. You all keep my interest. For two years Id rather read your Items and projects then watch TV. I tell all my friends about your (Other Power)sight.Keep up the good work and hummer. Have you ever considered a Hamster poop methane gen? Ha Ha

dinges · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:35:24 AM »

Ehm...

I think Dan is forgetting to tell us something here

AFAIK, Skippy is now longer with us. And the datalogging showed that his output went WAY up one day. That same day, he disappeared. There were several suspects, amongst which 2 cats and one dog (with a guilty look on his face...)

Run skippy RUN!!

vandragon · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:42:42 PM »

Hello Dan.

I have to say, this is the coolest thing I have found on the web yet!

How many RPM's would it take to make 25 watts?

I would love to set this up at my home but I am not to good

at the tech stuff. I can think stuff up but do not have the

talent to put it together so I can see if it works.

I would be willing to buy a Low-RPM Hamster-Powered Alternator

from you if you were willing to make one for me. I would just want the LED lights

as I would have no need for the bike thing or such. It would be such a neat conversation peace. Please let me know, Thanks.

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