The Stirling Engine Project

[1shnitsel]

What did you use to make the power-piston?

[Unasigad]

@StatusProductions

Hi! I really like your engine, but won't the plastic displacer cylinder melt under high temperatures?

Thanks In Advance!

[luiscarlosll]

Great quality project. Really awesome.

I was wondering whats the music in the 1st minute of the vid (before muse)?

[luiscarlosll]

@luiscarlosll Sorry, it's on the end of the video... You really know about adhesives..

[nandakoryaaa]

How did you get the molded piston move without much friction yet being airtight?

[PuppyZwolle]

@railrdr523 It's pretty close to glass. Scratches more easily but a very efficient way to make a hard form.

[PuppyZwolle]

@railrdr523 Two component clear epoxy glue you see him mix just before.

[dedion000]

can i ask something at 2:24 what substance is that ???, and at 1:48 what mixture you are making ???

[piespokladowy]

*****

[pfucit8]

can you tell me where to get this particular version of this song? would be so grateful.

[superbiob1]

@pfucit8 spotify has it, and itunes. or google it.

[lizard5431]

mine looked just like that when i made it! also you people should hear Supermassive Black Hole by Muse!

[lizard5431]

when I saw this vid I wondered 'what song is this' but now I know it's one of the best songs ever!

[deadegg007]

myslím že ta pasta je tekutý kov... I think the paste is fluid metal..

[seriousZmij]

@deadegg007

a já myslím, že je to epoxidová pryskyřice a tvrdidlo...

But I think that's epoxy glue :)

[williamtorotoro]

excelente, uno de los mejores en stirling, voy hacer el mio y les cuento

[franramuzz]

Una de los mejores explicaciones de como hacer un motor stirling.

Desde Sevilla muchas gracias por el video y sigue asi.

Un saludo.

[globeman100]

what music in video?

thank you

sorry my english - i am czech

[yaroukh]

Vypadá to na "Map of The Problematique" od Muse.

[Soboredwtf]

What material did you use for the pistion?

What compound did you use for the power piston?

[cipher0]

The video said Jim designed and constructed the engine. 4:10

Is Jim wearing pink fingernail polish? 1:14

:-)

[fernandesilyt]

What you used to make the piston?

The piston supports the heat?

*sorry my english

[tw3thRZHGTREF4j]

nice

[jbiggs12]

2:27 trippy!

[54spiritedwill54]

Very good idea mate

[bummercucumber]

Pretty awesome.

[revosmasters]

Please, what is the black substance ?

[crsereda]

I think that it is JB Weld

[arg13415]

JB Kwik :)

[Zalo10]

I just finished building this off your instructable and I'm anxious to try it out. I keep thinking that I might've made the displacer to small. Well, if mine works, I'll be sure to post a Video Response. Thanks for the in-depth tutorial!

[andrewbnkjv]

Same concept of the steam engine... but how can I get this to make coffee for me 24/7...lol good video.

[TheTitaniumSpoon]

NO. Steam engines use the kinetic energy of the steam, whereas the sterling engine uses the expansion and contraction of air. Again, no. It generates power from the heat in your coffee. Get your facts straight before you act smart.

[WorldStove]

a work of art! 5/5

[DeathAndMajesty]

You can build an engine block out of JB Weld.

[jclagg]

ha, there's always something we default to, mine is auto body filler.

[VViitard]

What is this song?

[StatusProductions]

Muse - "Map of the Problematique"

[shoemakerleve9]

@StatusProductions are you sure?

[shoemakerleve9]

@StatusProductions are you sure? NVM

[cooly158]

i saw ur instructables guide on the web, so i was wondering where i put the fan weights/how you make it heat operated.

[StatusProductions]

The metal disc (a hard drive from a comp) is the weight. Its purpose is to keep up inertia so that the pistons keep moving inbetween pumps.

The displacer (white hollow paper/tape cylinder inside the engine) serves only to take up space. The candle heats up the air (making it expand, pushing the piston up to allow more space to be obtained by the air in the case, which moves the displacer down. The air quickly cools, sucking the piston down, placing the air back by the candle where it heats.

[StatusProductions]

and as you've probably guessed it starts from the beginning in a repetitive cycle.

[cooly158]

aaaah... thx

[monteburns1286]

hmm.. very interesting. nicely done.

[SWINGREGORY]

SUPERBE

TOP

FORMIDABLE

[impazzitoinvolo]

Congratulations! Good instructions for beginers.

Smart construction of the pisto work, good idea.

Bye

[Plozen]

PS: greetings from instructables :D

[paramorerocker101]

no the piston was made of epoxy, the DISPLACER was made of matte board, paper, and tape.

[Chaplynskypictures]

Thanks

[berrywellpictures]

You do such a great job of making this visually stimulating. Your cinematography is terrific. Nice editing too.

[titaniumlibra]

I ENTIRELY agree!! GREAT vid!

[Nickzwensky]

Very good idea mate, thats what I need for my car, how many horse power can it provide with 1 candle, presumably I might need atleast 3 or 4 to really make my car more powerfull, as the cost of fuel is so high this is the answer for the future of motor cars! any idea how many horsepower does your engine yield?

[StatusProductions]

hardly any, the reason the Stirling engine has not taken off is that is is not very powerful. However it's really fun to make and appreciate.

[Plozen]

Haha... I loved this idea... It would be good if you could get it to produce electricity somehow, then it might be worth something.

[eugeniomarroquin]

¿Why do you think is not powerfull? have you seen the 25kw engines in the USA.

[StatusProductions]

you need a HUGE stirling engine, and a lot of heat, before it has any real thrust whatsoever to power a generator. And even then it cannot make that much power.

I've never heard of one being used for 25kw, that seems to me to be a bit much to expect from a stirling engine.

[celloprof]

I've heard of a sterling engine powering an car alternator at 100% of the alternators ability, HA, but a propane torch was used. Someting like a string of christmas lights could be powered with a candle or 2.OF CORSE I've seen that some sterling engines are MUCH more effecient than others.For what I've seen, the ""Duplex Vacuum" Stirling Cycle Engine" is the most efficent one ever made. I've seen a sterling FAN, like a normal fan you might have in your bed room. Check, boydhouseDOTcom/stirling/

[celloprof]

ALSO CHECK!!! jerry-howellDOTcom/Menu-1.html FOR FANTASTIC examples of really good sterling engines! Do you know what, I always wandered what would happen if you put in a little bit of water in a stirling engine. I mean if the whole point behind that engine is air expanding and contracting, then since water is more powerful BREAKING PLUMBING PIPES when freezing, then you would think adding atleast a tiny bit of water would dramatically increase the power output...HMM?!

[concerned00citizen]

Hope this is pattened. Keep inventing but PATTEN you ideas. Of course corporations will seee that you make NO money on it.

[StatusProductions]

This isn't my invention...

...it was invented back in the 1800's by Dr. Robert Stirling. The patent expired quite some time ago.

[concerned00citizen]

Thank you for your response and information. I see here in VT a lot of "contests" as a way for corps to get free ideas and just wanted you to protect yourself.  The tech exists to reduce our depenence on polluting fuels but until international corp own the rights we will be a world that continues to pollute. I look to young folks to rebell and save the world NOT by the gov taxing us to benefit special companies but real change.... Thank you

[KARTOFFELSALATATATAT]

Succes! I used a lot more of the hardener than recommendend, this seems to be the key to succes. I now have a piston that slides up and down freely, and only lets air through when you hold it in place whilst blowing rather hard. I really hope It'll work this time =]

[StatusProductions]

Great, good to hear it. If you upload a video let me know.

[KARTOFFELSALATATATAT]

Yep! If ( MAJOR "if" here xD ) it's airtight enough ( I do have serious doubts about it... ) I will surely make a video

[gchand7]

How do you drtermin what size bore you need ? I am gonna try a 2" bore on the hot side and a 3/4" on the cold side. Do you know if I'm going in the correct way?

[KARTOFFELSALATATATAT]

Hey, I'm building my own stirling-cycle engine for a school project. I'm also casting my power piston from a resin. Exactly how freely should it be able to move up and down the power cylinder? I've had some troubles with leekage because I sanded the piston down a bit.

[StatusProductions]

It should be almost air tight, and almost frictionless. If either aren't almost perfect it won't work as they are the most important part.

Check out the full instructable linked in the details for thorough info.

[KARTOFFELSALATATATAT]

Thanks! I have had a look through the information, and I tried casting it again. Yet again, it doesn't work. I need a hammer to slam the thing out of the pipe ( which has been tapered at one end ), and I can't get it in again. Only after some considerable sanding the thing wants to get back inside, and isn't remotely airtight. There is still enough friction to leave it in place then though...

[StatusProductions]

Have you considered making an epoxy piston?

[toreyjw1]

damn. you got a damn lot of views!

[StatusProductions]

I got featured ;P

[skimaniac123]

I attempted to create an epoxy piston the way you showed, everything went fine until it was time to take it out, the little bugger would not come out of the cylinder no matter what i did. I think i may not have put enough oil in the cylinder before casting, have you ever run into this problem?

[StatusProductions]

make sure the pipe is bent outward so it'll slide out, otherwise it's locked inside... If done correctly the oil method should work fine.

[colin340]

nice job epox piston great idea

[fixmyhvac]

what song is this?

[StatusProductions]

look at the credits in the end,

The first 60 seconds was "business part 1" by Craig Armstrong, after that I merged it with "map of Problematique" by Muse.

[flameded]

okay, now do something useful with it.

[LeviMan2001]

if they mass manufactured these things and had them hooked up to small electric generators, you could have them all over your house, making electricity, then you could link them together and make probably quite abit of power.

[fixmyhvac]

good job keep up the good work

Great song!

[kirkjamestkirk]

I knew It McGyver exists!

[GaryGarrett]

WoW! that's really cool... thanks for sharing it.

[darkangel2347]

Actually, the "Stirling Engine" method will be used to make better RTG's for space missions. A RTG with s Striling Engine (A SRTG) will convert about 20% of the heat from the decay of Plutonium 238 di-oxide to electricty, compared to 7% for a GPHS RTG (used on Galileo, Cassini, New Horizons, etc).

[StingRider]

GREAT JOB!

[fishcake1235]

Thank You for a fantastic informative video

[rallymadkassam]

was the crank shaft measured or was done free hand??

[vancouverbluz]

Sorry i posted the wrong site, its stirlingenergydotcom Anyway, to get Space Solar Power the only economically fesible way is using a stirling collecter on a flimsy reflective surface. This could be done right now for cheaply to get space solar power!

[vancouverbluz]

Picture an aerocebo dish (google it) in space with the collector being a stirling engine. Generating 100gigwatts right now folks!

[Coliling4km]

sterling energy systems uses same principle with their solar arrays that heat~ionize gas that causes little pistons to go up n down and cranks the generator to create electricity

[cyborgtroy]

I'm feeling an epic win on this one.

[Hausy1300]

now comes the question of how much time, energy, effort, and money was put into this project in order to create this project.

[StatusProductions]

Energy - merely a candle, cup of coffee, or sunlight

Effort - about 24 hours of work, my brother working up the engine and myself the video

Money - all things used were scrapped from cd cases, spare pipe, and metal, making it free.

[pektek300]

The JB Weld and other epoxy are the most expensive in simple Stirling engines (almost $10). I also occasionally make LTD Stirling engines. I am curious how you made the power piston from epoxy. Why didn't it stick to the mold?

[StatusProductions]

we lightly (olive) oiled the copper pipe of the same size as the piston tower, it just popped out and then into the Stirling engine.

[thecheatscalc]

Actually, any sort of oil will do, I'd reccomend mixing the epoxy separate though, then pouring in. like said though, it's just oiled, and the epoxy won't stick to the oil (hence the directions saying to clean the surface)

[as23we12]

Very good....the camera tells an interesting story. Nice cuts...interesting openers....edit to audio....good.

You obviously spent some time getting this right!....You didn't waste your time!

[augufe]

perfect

[overoffstudios]

Your putting brains back into you tube good work...

[VeverMaster]

AWESOME... 5/5... WOW!

[vancouverbluz]

Stirling engines are the future. Check out stirlingsolardotcom

[tabatj]

This is awesome!

[llabros]

Thats a realy nice video with good quality and music...

[cornskid]

no load on motor, very little power

[DougYorkNo1]

Very Nice job!

[m133573333]

if you notice, he also has to cool the top to get the best action, otherwise the piston wouldent cycle or "fire" as fast.

this is an excellent video. very interesting demonstration. i think people take this a little to far, thinking your coffee could charge your phone. the practical uses for this would be geothremic heat sources or perhaps include a solar eliment.

[thecheatscalc]

actually the purpose was to be able to charge a phone with coffee...

never quite worked out, but turned out pretty nicely! The real application is solar I'd say. Being able to turn solar directly into mechanical has its uses.

[UJaks]

effin A'

[universtef]

yes this is real good vid the music a good choise as well

[blahtsk]

I don't know much about it, but I thought the Stirling engine was a concept, and had not been actually created? Is this supposed to be showing a working Stirling engine? Is it just that no Stirling engine has been created that is useful???

Yeah the music was rad but I would have liked some info as to what you were doing, why you were doing it, etc.

[superpunkmuffin]

If yer have a quick search for 'swedish' 'submarine' and 'stirling', you'll find their arguably most successful current application, making very quiet submarines... The can also be used in reverse to create cooling effects :)

[StatusProductions]

check out the details, there's a link to the full description in the instructable. Yes there is a such thing as a stirling engine, and no it isn't free energy.

[AQPlayer92]

Wouldn't it be better if you change that CD into a fan or something? Well you can get some cool air from it. Who knows, Just an idea.

[foslock]

Awesome video, nice use of household stuff to demonstrate an otherwise complicated sounding machine.

The problem is that it needs both sources of hot AND cold air for it to work, which would be hard to implement into a useful machine. I'm sure you already knew that, just saying :)

[thecheatscalc]

yes, it does need two sources, that's true. BUT, that's just the design of the engine. If you're talking about the ice, that's just to make it run much faster... and keep the plastic from melting. :l it runs without it just fine.

[rootboyslim]

Excellent! I gave it five stars'

[XPECTRON]

COOOOOOOOOL

[FlyingCrap01]

Awesome vid! I gave it five stars. Not only was the music good, but the video actually kept me interested throughout the entirety of it.

[StatusProductions]

thanks!

[toreyjw1]

that was a VERY awesome video. the engine it self was AWESOME! the editing as very very good too. how did you get tit to be such good video quality? normally youtubes compression screws things up...

[StatusProductions]

With most of my videos, I used the .mp4 format(as is recommended by YouTube) however this time I tried .mov and it seemed to work much better. I also concentrated on getting good manual focus, which always looks better than auto.

This was taken using the cannon 560 picture camera (the one similar to the 520 we sell at Target)

[motormaker]

you sir are a genious. I have made many engines in the machine shop. But you sir can do so ,so much with so little. That engine seems to be a fine runner. I have heard of the epoxy piston before however I have never seen it. The epoxy rod ends are proof that less is more.

[StatusProductions]

Thanks, if you ever get a video of your engines up, let me know.

[slimwolf22]

You've opened many opportunities...

[BeechSundowner]

Happy New Year!

[16strings]

Thanks for showing your construction in the video. Not many people do that. Great job!

[desiredusername]

Epoxy piston. Pretty clever.