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Posts with tag battery

Bristlebot - make a toy robot from the head of a toothbrush



If you've ever had the chance to play with a vibrating robot toy, you'll understand just how fun they can be. Most of the ones I've seen are of the wind-up variety, typically with long metal lets and rubber feet. They tend to be noisy, bouncy, and definitely unpredictable.

While I've played with various different versions of these wind-up toys for hours, I never really considered that I might be able to actually make one of my own. I certainly didn't think I could make one that is not only just as neat, but a significant upgrade.

Imagine my surprise when I happened across this article explaining how to make a battery-powered vibrating robot toy out of the head of a toothbrush! With the right supplies on hand (including an appropriate toothbrush, pager motor, and watch battery) this project can be completed in about five minutes.

It's really worth watching the video to see just what this little critter can do. I imagine it would enthrall my children, but even more fun would be to watch my uncle's cat go crazy trying to figure out just what this thing is!

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Make a solar lantern

Noel Bautista's solar powered lanternWe love solar powered stuff here at DIY Life. Hacking things together ourselves in the interest of reducing our environmental footprint really gets us going. This DIY solar lantern is just the thing to keep the spirit of Earth Day even after it's come and gone.

Noel from unplugged living gives us a full detailed tutorial on making the solar lantern. Covering each step thoroughly, and providing loads of helpful pictures, diagrams and part lists, this is one project that will be easily recreated on your own.

This project is split into a three part tutorial. In the first part, Noel explains the basic theory of operation, then goes on to explain how to calculate the value of the resistor. In the second section, you'll learn about the charging module and solar cell. The assembly instructions are clear and detailed. Finally, in the third part, you'll see close-up pictures of each piece and how they should look together.

Staying green isn't always easy, but it sure is important. Noel brings us inspiration by combining our desire to go green with the love for great DIY projects. Gear up for your next camping trip with a solar powered lantern.

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Homopolar Motor for your Valentine



If you are looking to give your special someone a gift on Valentines Day that is unique and can't be bought in stores, look no further! This project is based on the Homopolar Motor, it can be built in a few minutes and will cost you less than a dollar in parts but the results are quite impressive. Chances are you already have everything needed in a few drawers in your house.

Items you will need:
  • AA Battery
  • 10 Gauge wire (thinner wire will also work fine)
  • Magnet
  • Pliers to cut and form the wire

Continue reading Homopolar Motor for your Valentine

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Make a Polonium detector

Polonium testerPolonium 210 has had a lot of news coverage lately. Unless you're a secret agent or are having trouble with your mob connections, you probably don't need to worry about this stuff. If perhaps you are a super secret agent, or have angered some "associates" then it's always worth being cautious. You can make your own Polonium detector and bring it along to your Christmas parties and pub crawling for the holidays. Here's what you'll need to construct a homemade detector:
  1. 2 darlington transistors
  2. LED
  3. Homemade iron chamber
  4. One or two resistors
  5. Battery
  6. power switch
Once completed, hold the device over your drink. If the drink is tainted the light will go on. The detailed assembly instructions have diagrams and pictures to help you along the way. I don't know how you'd test the accuracy of this homemade device without actually poisoning one of your drinks. If you're one of those paranoid types, or you actually have a reason to hide, then pack this little gadget along and stay safe.
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Catch a liar with a homemade polygraph test


Make A Lie Detector! - The most amazing bloopers are here
A polygraph or lie detector test records a subjects physiological responses while answer a series of questions. Do they tell necessesarily if somebody is lying? No. They do however notify the tester when the person exibits signs associated with the physical changes the occur when somebody is lying. This homemade lie detector isn't nearly as scientific as professional grade machines, nor are you a trained test administrator. Still, if you're looking to have a little fun, build a working polygraph machine and catch a lier then you'll enjoy this project.

The circuitboard assembly looks fairly complicated. You'll need some understanding of electronics, but the video has a helpful diagram and instructions. The video also shows this homemade polygraph in action. It measures the skin resistance which goes down when the subject is lying. If you want to back up your test with some behavioral science, check out M.E. Williams post on How to catch a liar in the act. I wouldn't do anything drastic based on the results of a homemade test, but it does sound like a fun experiment. Maybe you'll find out what people really thought of your Thanksgiving dinner?
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How to make LED eyes for Halloween

LED eyesLED eyes, the perfect accessory for your Halloween costume. You'll look like a demon wearing these frightening lights over your eyes. The best part is, it only cost $1. Here's what you'll need:

Materials
  1. 330 ohm resistor (any 200-500 ohm will work)
  2. 2 Miniature LED - red
  3. Battery adapter
  4. 9 volt battery
  5. Crimp connectors
  6. Velcro strap
Take a look through the full instructions and accompanying pictures. It's really interesting to see the actor wearing the headband in light contrasted with how frightening she looks in the dark.Sit at your front door to terrify trick-or-treaters, or wear them as an original accessory to your Halloween party. It is a quick and cheap Halloween trick that sure to be a popular DIY hack this year.

[via: Hacked Gadgets]
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Get 32 AA batteries from a single 6-volt battery



Okay, we all know how expensive those AA batteries can be. A pack of four Duracells can cost $5 or so, and things like remote controls, digital music players and a billion other household items eat them like candy. In other words, you're probably spending a small inheritance on batteries every year.

What if you could pop open one of those 6-volt, lantern-type batteries and scoop out about 32 AA batteries -- for the same (or close) price of $5? The video below explains this huge money-saving technique that is sure to become an instant classic for the frugal battery shopper in all of us.

Warning, however. Not all 6-volt batteries are busting at the seams with AAs, as there may be different types of batteries sitting in different types of 6-volt battery brands. But for an investment of $5 (maybe a few times), you just might be able to find a treasure trove of AA batteries on the 'extreme' cheap. Check the easy discovery process out below.

[via Lifehacker]
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Mysterious electric bike noisemaker

Vintage cruiser bike with false motor noisemaker, by Flickr's bcostin.Last week, BoingBoing posted a reader's comments about a "DIY bike noisemaker" he'd seen. The apparatus involved a piece of metal, which was wired to a nine-volt battery, which was wired to a small speaker. The metal piece picked up noise from passing chunks of magnet or metal attached to the bike's spokes.

No, I haven't figured out how it's made. I've been scratching my head ever since, with the nagging feeling that both Mr. Wizard (R.I.P.) and my fourth-grade science teacher would be very disappointed in me.

Something electromagnetic is probably going on with this bike noisemaker. I'm not sure exactly what. I suspect that the things wired to the spokes are indeed magnets, and electromagnetic waves, sort of like radio static, are generated as they pass by the needle that's wired to the battery, then sent to the speaker and broadcast... but I don't know for sure. Any other ideas?

This was an impetus to find out more about bike noisemakers, which are actually required in many areas.

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Elec-citrusy: turn lemons into batteries

If there's two things I know kids love, it's fun science experiments and lemons. Well, maybe not so much eating lemons, but I'll bet my bottom dollar they'll enjoy turning one into a battery.

The concept behind this experiment is simple: take two metals that spit electrons at each other (in this case, zinc and copper), shove them into opposite ends of a lemon, and the acidic juice inside the fruit will help create a low-level current. If you're not already familiar with this great little science project, grab a few kids, a couple lemons, and let the LED-lighting madness begin!

Materials
  1. Three or four big juicy lemons
  2. Zinc-coated nails (one for each lemon)
  3. Pennies older than 1982* (one for each lemon)
  4. Common electrical wire
  5. A red LED bulb

Tools
  1. It's not completely necessary, but a multimeter will help you determine if one of your lemons is... well, a lemon (as in, a dud).
Time

About 30 minutes.

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