Earth Battery

Something i came across accidentaly while working on a different experement. I believe this is behaving like a lemon or potato battery due to acid in the soil. There is evidence to suggest you can series and parallel them up directly in the ground without shorting them out to each other, but it is difficult to do. And there could be a way to get a nonstop flow of power from that method. Here is a site if you are interested in that information. http://www.icehouse.net/john1/stubblefield.html
This battery i have made here should run dead after a while just like any other battery.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• energy

[maximumgravity]

Isn't this just the galvanic action of the zinc and copper using the moisture in the dirt as the conductive path? Should get the same result with water in the jugs instead of dirt. Similar results can be seen with zinc and copper wrapped in paper. The paper contains enough moisture to create a minute volage. I think this is what albi46 was aluding to with the Bagdhad Battery comment.

[codygillespie]

Yep, thats the effect. I thought it was interesting so i posted it. I like going back to fundamental things and playing with them, it gives me a much better understanding than just reading things from books.

thanks

cody

[bede123]

wow, this is great, i never knew this! do do you know if the size of the copper pipe/zink makes any difference to the ammount of voltage that can be collected?

thanks so much for sharing this info.

[codygillespie]

Im not really sure, I didnt really notice a difference. But i didnt go very far into this experiment. Thanks and good luck with it.

[vegaspilot03]

thank you, i am ready to begin my experimenting, i will be going to radioshack and getting one of those 5 yr old circuits, just so i learn the basics. This type of energy, however, is what i will eventually want to cover.

[codygillespie]

That sounds like a great idea. The best way to learn is to gut get in there and play with the stuff. I still have a lot to learn too. Have fun!

[foggymedia]

@maximumgravity Great observation! I love this grass roots green energy experimenting but actually the earth part of the battery is really inconsequential to the process of the battery but we all get a little carried away by the excitement.

[Myreply59]

There is a zinc copper reaction going on, but also there are elements contained within the soil that aid the transfer of ions between them. If you study simple battery construction you will see that carbon and zinc are used in addition to the cathode and anode. The zinc and carbon are in powder form within a paste. But image, you need a battery soil all you need is a bucket of dirt, a nail, and a penny and "Whalaa ! " there you go, no purchase necessary.

[mobius1r]

Can you use...dare i say...urine as an acid electrolyte which is natural like dirt? I read on the Internet that the Japanese have invented a battery where one can use a fluid other than water...and urine which is the body's acid is a natural process; rather than flushing away the urine; use it as a FREE source for energy to power a battery...what do think???

[Digadogup]

@codygillespie just wondering is the power coming from the zinc and copper electrodes or earth its self, because to me it seems the dirt is acting as an electrolyte , correct me if i'm wrong

[HEYLON96]

It would be useful if you also displayed the amps too, maybe if is about 0.2 amps you could charge a phone battery.

[duki121]

OMG how did you make it ???

[Ivanlamperouge]

Yes we can get results just using tap water but the main reason why we use other things like fruits and earth is for the "voltage". Of course more voltage the more gadgets it can run.

[thejackalhunter01]

did u did this without any solubles or something?

[LiquidChem]

@maximumgravity water would be different because in soil you have many different metals and microbial life also, and other minerals and chemicals.. i imagine acidity of the soil plays a part as well. you definitely get a higher current reading by sticking electrodes in the ground as opposed to sticking same electrodes in water.