Upcycled/repurposed projects (MANY)

[Joel_BC]

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.

 

[Denim Deb]

Wonder how it would work for a small wind turbine

 

[Joel_BC]

Wonder how it would work for a small wind turbine

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.

 

[Joel_BC]

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.

 

[Joel_BC]

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.

 

[Joel_BC]

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.

 

[Denim Deb]

That's cool.

 

[Joel_BC]

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.

 

[Joel_BC]

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/

 

[frustratedearthmother]

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?