Upcycled/repurposed projects (MANY)

This guy has made a series of videos showing the DIY of converting a common ceiling-fan motor into a low-cost usable alternator for charging battery banks, etc. Can be used for wind-power applications, etc.
His series (and his Youtube channel) is recommended by numerous people who have done or are doing the conversion.

Wonder how it would work for a small wind turbine

Denim Deb said:

Wonder how it would work for a small wind turbine

Click to expand...

I think that's the aim, Deb. I believe the prop blades have to be changed... don't think you can just re-use fan blades, or it would be inefficient. There ae people working with this idea and I believe more results, discussion, diagrams and plans will show up on the Web.

Okay, here's an interesting one: a garden-swing-powered water pump. You know how there've been a lot of bicycle-powered devices invented for generating electricity, grinding small amounts of grain, and so on? Well, I suppose one reason these are not so common in our everyday lives is that riding a stationary bike is something that only the very dedicated among exercise aficionados will commit to doing.

But what about swinging on a garden swing? Kids will do it, and so will grown ups sometimes.

Here's where I learned about the idea:
http://farmhack.net/tools/garden-swing-powered-water-pump
(Scroll down below the first picture and explanatory text. There are some embedded videos of a prototype pump with bamboo as the material for the frame.)

Here's an article about one of the places where the research has been done and prototypes built:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...er-garden/articleshow/4573424.cms?referral=PM

Here's a picture of one with its frame having been built from metal tubing, instead of bamboo:



I've been trying to locate plans for building one of these, but so far haven't found any plans offered on the web.

Here's a video that does a good job of explaining the steps to making a wood-fired boiler by repurposing a used home water-heating tank and a few other readily available salvaged or common, inexpensive components. Nicely paced wih good commentary and use of the camera.

In regions like India they manage to do things like this. A motorcycle (motor tricycle) based "tractor" for multiple crop-field tasks, such as cultivating and (article says) plowing. Article says it can plow an acre in 30 minutes on two litres (about one half gallon) of fuel... very efficient.

I used an online currency converter, and when translated into U.S. $$ terms, the cost for the project was about $270... pretty cheap. The inventor must have been able to achieve a pretty low forward speed (probably low-rpm, high-torque at the rear axle).

Haven't located plans for this on the internet yet, but the concept and picture are inspiring.

That's cool.

Here's an idea relevant to small farms...



Repurposing a bucket, heating element, toilet-tank water valve, and other parts to make a high-output self-refilling humidifier (useful for crop storage rooms, etc) - pictures, description, and a wiring schematic are provided. The guy has helpfully listed where he obtained the parts from.

From Farm Hack: http://farmhack.net/tools/auto-fill-high-output-temperature-controlled-humidifier

The designer/builder used new parts and the cost is reported as $155 (not bad in itself), but he points out cost could be save by salvaging some or most of the parts.

A DIY "Truckbarrow": a power-assisted way to transport tools, supplies, equipment over modest distances, made basically from a wheelbarrow wooden frame and inflated tire. There's no description, but the picture is somewhat explanatory. The advantage over an ordinary wheelbarrow? Well, there's the tool & supplies cabinet on the front, and the sides being open can accommodate wide loading.

http://www.werkermagazine.org/domesticwork/truckbarrow/

That's cool! But, forgive me because I'm gonna be a girl and ask this question. I know it says it's "fossil fuel free" so is that a battery system that turns the sprocket and chain to help propel it?