Making a handcranked flashlight with a supercapcitor

In summary, "Making a handcranked flashlight with a supercapacitor" involves creating a portable lighting device that harnesses kinetic energy through manual cranking. The process includes assembling components such as a hand crank, a supercapacitor for energy storage, an LED for illumination, and a circuit to manage the energy flow. This project highlights the benefits of renewable energy sources and provides an engaging way to learn about basic electronics and energy conversion.
  • #1
Milo08821
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TL;DR Summary: I want to make a handcranked flashight with a supercapacitor, I need some help and thoughts about what type of capacitor do i need and how many to make suppercapacitor.

the dc motor im going to use is a geared motor wich is;
DC Gear Motor 12V 250RPM- SGM25-370
Specifications:
Operating voltage: between 6 V and 18 V
Nominal voltage: 12 V
Free-run speed at 12 V: 250 RPM
Free-run current at 12 V: 50 mA
Stall current at 12V: 1200 mA
Stall torque at 12V: 38 kg.cm
Gear ratio: 1:35
Reductor size: 21 mm
Weight: 85 g

and the LED light im going to use is aroung 10w, i just ripped it off a bike light

Im also using 4 1N4007 diode for a bridge rectifier
 
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  • #2
You don't "make" supercapacitor from normal capacitors, you buy one.

They are not trivial to use, they have a specific, low voltage (around 2.7 V for fully charged), so they require quite a bit of electronics/regulators for both loading and recovering the charge.
 
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  • #3
Borek said:
You don't "make" supercapacitor from normal capacitors, you buy one.

They are not trivial to use, they have a specific, low voltage (around 2.7 V for fully charged), so they require quite a bit of electronics/regulators for both loading and recovering the charge.
but some videos i saw, they make a supercapacitor with normal capacitors, no? I saw a video making a supercapacitor with 10 2.7v 3.3F capacitors
 
  • #4
Milo08821 said:
3.3F capacitors
Those 3.3F capacitors are super-capacitors.
They were probably being connected for greater voltage.

For energy storage, you may do better using a lithium cell than a super-capacitor.
 
  • #5
Baluncore said:
Those 3.3F capacitors are super-capacitors.
They were probably being connected for greater voltage.

For energy storage, you may do better using a lithium cell than a super-capacitor.
if I could, I would've done it by now, but my teacher doesnt allow us to use batteries, thats why im opting in using supercapacitors for me to handcranked it and let it store power to light up the LEDs for an amount of time
 
  • #6
Milo08821 said:
my teacher doesnt allow us to use batteries
Thread moved to the schoolwork forums. :wink:
 
  • #7
Milo08821 said:
Free-run speed at 12 V: 250 RPM
Free-run current at 12 V: 50 mA
Stall current at 12V: 1200 mA
I would be really surprised if you could get more power from that than 2-5W. For a few seconds, at best. And you have a 10W lamp...

A supercap is a terrible idea. Either a battery or a standard cap would work to some extent with minimal electronics, but supercaps ... nope. You would need multiple DCDC conversions at least: but proper charge/discharge circuitry is recommended.
10W from any cheap(ish) supercap is also quite a hassle as I recall.

So, my suggestion: use a small, standalone white LED with a cheap drive circuit: with a standard big cap: and a less dramatic generator.

Maybe you could look around first that how it is done?
 
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  • #8
@Milo08821 I am wondering how far along in school you are.
 

FAQ: Making a handcranked flashlight with a supercapcitor

What materials do I need to make a hand-cranked flashlight with a supercapacitor?

To make a hand-cranked flashlight with a supercapacitor, you will need the following materials: a supercapacitor, a hand-crank generator, a LED light, a diode (to prevent backflow of current), a resistor (to limit current), wires, a switch, and a suitable housing or casing for the flashlight.

How does a supercapacitor work in a hand-cranked flashlight?

A supercapacitor stores electrical energy and can release it quickly. In a hand-cranked flashlight, when you crank the generator, it produces electricity that charges the supercapacitor. The stored energy can then be used to power the LED light, providing illumination when needed.

How do I connect the components of the flashlight?

Connect the hand-crank generator to the supercapacitor, ensuring that the positive terminal of the generator connects to the positive terminal of the supercapacitor. Use a diode in series to prevent backflow of current. Then, connect the supercapacitor to the LED light through a switch, and include a resistor in series to limit the current flowing to the LED.

What is the advantage of using a supercapacitor instead of a battery?

Supercapacitors have several advantages over batteries, including faster charging and discharging times, longer cycle life, and better performance in extreme temperatures. Additionally, they can withstand many more charge and discharge cycles compared to traditional batteries, making them ideal for applications like hand-cranked flashlights.

How long will the flashlight last on a full charge from the supercapacitor?

The duration of the flashlight's illumination depends on several factors, including the capacity of the supercapacitor, the efficiency of the hand-crank generator, and the power consumption of the LED. Typically, a fully charged supercapacitor can power a bright LED for several minutes, but this can vary widely based on the specific components used.

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