Designing Homemade Water Wheel Direct Current Generator

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Renewable energy consists of a reusable source of energy that is naturally replenished. DC generators, also known as a DC motor, that needs mechanical energy to produce direct current electricity. In this study, water wheel converts the falling water from the aquarium which is a rotational force power that will be used to spin the DC motor (Dynamo) to produce direct current electricity. The energy produce can be used to light the bulb needed by the plants on the top of the aquarium.

METHODS

The experimental method design was used in this research. The researchers made 5 times 1-minute observation to measure the flowing electric current by the use of electric current tester.

RESULTS

The homemade water wheel generator lightened a small led bulb that was used as artificial light for the plants on the top of the aquarium. The researcher gathered data in two situations that were used to get the average flowing electric current by the use of 1-minute observation with the electric current tester. The first situation, the LED light was off and in 5 times 1-minute observation to measure the flowing direct current electricity; the researchers got 0.15W, 0.12W, 0.12W, 0.15W, 0.15W with an average of 0.138 Watts. The second situation was the Led light is on and in 5 times 1-minute observation; the researchers got 0.078W, 0.0792W, 0.0801W, 0.0798W, 0.0807W with an average of 0.0796 Watts. The data gathered also showed that the wattages produced depend on the RPM (Revolution per minute).

DISCUSSIONS

The result demonstrated the need of large volume of falling water in order to produce higher electrical current because the wattage produced by the dynamo or DC motor depends on the RPM (Revolution per Minute) of the wheel. Stronger aquarium pumps can be used to make higher RPM to produce also higher direct current electricity.