DIY Gravity Battery: Unexpected Results!

Summary

The video explores a creative DIY project for storing solar energy using a gravity battery. It details the construction of a system where a motor lifts heavy weights during the day with solar power, and the descending weights generate electricity at night. Despite challenges with motor torque, gear ratios, and structural integrity, the project demonstrates an alternative energy storage method. The creator emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and expandability of the gravity battery, while acknowledging its limitations compared to chemical batteries. The video encourages support for further experiments and concludes with a demonstration of the gravity battery in action.

Takeaways

• 🌞 Solar panels are affordable and provide free electricity during the day but cannot generate power at night.
• 🔋 Batteries are necessary to store energy for use when there's no sunlight, but they are expensive and degrade over time.
• 🏠 The narrator considers building a homemade gravity battery to store solar energy using mechanical principles.
• ⚙️ The proposed solution involves a motor lifting heavy weights during the day, which then generate electricity as they descend at night.
• 🔧 The initial idea to use a 775 DC motor was abandoned due to its high RPM, leading to the use of a 620 RPM motor instead.
• 🖨️ 3D printing was used to create parts for the gearbox, which required adjustments to achieve the necessary gear ratio and strength.
• 🪵 The setup included a strong wooden platform and concrete blocks to secure the system and handle the weight of the rocks.
• 🪢 Testing involved adjusting the weight of the rocks and ensuring the pulley and rope system could handle the load without breaking.
• 🛠️ The narrator faced several challenges, including broken parts and overheating motors, requiring multiple adjustments and redesigns.
• 🔋 The final gravity battery system was able to lift weights and generate electricity at night, though it had limitations compared to chemical batteries.

Q & A

What is the main idea proposed in the video?

The main idea proposed is to create a gravity battery to store solar energy by using a motor to lift heavy weights during the day and then allowing the weights to fall at night, generating electricity.

Why does the creator want to use a gravity battery instead of chemical batteries?

The creator wants to use a gravity battery because chemical batteries are expensive and degrade over time, while a gravity battery can be expanded cheaply by adding more weight.

What components are necessary to create the gravity battery?

The components necessary include a solar panel, a motor with a high torque gear ratio, heavy objects like rocks, a pulley system, and a generator.

How does the gravity battery work during the day?

During the day, the solar panel generates electricity, which powers the motor to lift the heavy weights up, storing potential energy.

How does the gravity battery generate electricity at night?

At night, the weights are allowed to fall, turning the motor in reverse, which acts as a generator to produce electricity.

What problems did the creator encounter with the motor and gearbox?

The creator initially faced issues with the motor having a high RPM, requiring a large gear reduction ratio. They also had problems with the gearbox not handling the weight properly and parts breaking during tests.

What solutions were implemented to address the gearbox issues?

The creator used a stackable planetary gearbox to reduce the speed and increase torque. They also printed stronger parts and adjusted the design to handle more weight and prevent parts from breaking.

How did the creator test the strength and functionality of the gravity battery setup?

The creator tested the setup by gradually increasing the weight lifted by the motor, checking for issues with the gearbox, and ensuring the structure could handle the load. They also tested the ability of the system to generate electricity by connecting LEDs.

What safety precautions were taken during the testing of the gravity battery?

Safety precautions included using mattresses to cushion the fall of weights, testing with lower weights initially, and avoiding being directly under the setup during tests.

What were the final results and conclusions of the gravity battery experiment?

The gravity battery was able to generate electricity successfully, but it had limitations in terms of efficiency and practicality for everyday use. The creator concluded that while the concept is interesting, chemical batteries are still preferred for their higher energy density.