An energy harvesting project

[JulesP]

To aid in acquiring components, I have provided a BOM using Farnell as a reference for item order numbers. For those items that can't be got on there, I have provided links to other sources.

I attach this document but it is also now in the 'PCB Files' folder on the main link.

Julian

[JulesP]

Just a quick note to say that I have corrected a couple of typos and a wrong figure in Table 7 (p37) of the Manual and have replaced the file for downloading as required.

J

[Mundo81]

Congratulations on the release Julian, will be sharing it in my network.

Cheers,
Raymundo

[JulesP]

Hi all,

Contrary to expectations, I have now managed to complete the installation of the replication PCB and checked it against all the diagnostic checks in the manual, about 2 weeks earlier than expected. The extra time I had assigned for potential problems was not needed and so the manual and associated appendices are now complete together with the Gerber files with some minor adjustments to the PCB.

All the files are uploaded to the Mega link given earlier: https://mega.nz/folder/YUM0nLoT#bYpLIazqMM5K2IrEQjghDQ

and also to this Dropbox link at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/td55b8675...cFUT2T07a?dl=0

I’m sure questions and comments will arise but I will address any in batches rather than every few days or so.

There’s still plenty to do besides the power tests due to start in a few weeks, such as preparing a discussion paper for how to prove that the ‘consumption’ of the electrolyte is not involved in the measured energy gains.

Believing it isn’t is a long way from the evidence that it isn’t and this question is pretty much as important as showing an energy gain in the first place, and for which the power tests hopefully will give the much-needed confirmation.

Onwards

Julian

[pearldragon]

Hi Julian,

No worries, I understand. And your clear focus can only by applauded.
I hope there will be a little flood-gate-question-moment between the upcoming manual and your next quest (although it sounds also very worthwhile!).

Best regards,
Rodolphe

[JulesP]

Hi Rodolphe,

I just didn't want to open the floodgates to questions yet when I am still fine-tuning the design and all the text. I appreciate your enthusiasm and I hope in the fullness of time it is realized in good results.

I am also having to plan for what comes after the power tests which will be to show proof that the energy is coming from the 'environment' and not the electrolytes being consumed as a 'fuel' under the effect of the pulses. Quite a challenge that one.

Jules

[pearldragon]

Hi Julian,

Thanks for your answers and feedback.
I don’t think it is a matter of me not being able to wait till the manual is ready, but a misjudgment from my side of sharing my enthusiasm for the project.
You did indicate in our communication that you value planning and efficient use of time, which I could have paid more attention to. Will do so.
Good luck with the manual, looking forward to it.

Best regard,
Rodolphe

[JulesP]

Happy New Year.

I’m rather busy at the moment and can’t be diverted with lots of Qs from your not being able to wait till the Manual is released.

At the moment everything is going well for me to do so on 23rd. If something unexpected happens to change that, like me getting ill, then I will say so, if possible.

I posted plenty of material in the research docs to keep minds occupied

Incidentally, depending on how you plan to mount the coils you might want both in and out leads to be at the same end.

All the edge terminal blocks are 5.0mm pitch (so spanning three holes on the PCB). E.g. H18 is a two pin terminal block inserted over three holes on PCB and missing the middle one. I use just the 2pin type and combine to 4 as required: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234615666086?

The header pins are straight 2 pin, 2.54mm spacing and so for example, H20 will be inserted into both holes as a test point. I strongly suggest you wait for the detail before filling in gaps with some guesswork. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265539912049?

There will be a couple of additional components in the list for the PCB, namely mounts for easy active device switching.

Julian

[pearldragon]

Hi Julian,

Two more questions:
-Could you give me the dimensions (A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H) of the PCB V4 as indicated on the enclosed PDF? So I can start working on the mounting plate for the whole assembly?
-Any updates about the PCB V4, whether it functions as anticipated?

Many thanks in advance,
Best regards,
Rodolphe
SSC-000-PRT-001 - DRAFT.pdf

P.S. PWM module came in as well.

[pearldragon]

Hi Julian,

First of all happy new year to you and all the other forum readers!

Not sure if it is still frowned upon to ask some question about some components (instead of having a bit more patience), but I’ve give it a try anyway

The following questions relate to the schematic / PCB board V4:
-Switches; I assume that a 16A DC rating is sufficient? The only one where I thought it might be important is SW4
(2023-01-04 -> The three UF5408 in parallel handle 3A each, so with a total of 9Amp I guess this question is answered ).
-End/connection terminals: what is the spacing of the pins? 2.54mm, 3.5mm, 5mm? (there are more options, but I guess t is one of these three.)
-Jumpers what is the spacing of the pins? 2mm, 2.54mm?
-Resistors in series with the LEDS (R1/R3/R11/R12/R16): Why are the resistor values so high? With a Vf of 2V, an If of 20mA and a supply Voltage of around 12.5V I come to resistor values of +/-525-Ohm.
-Relays RLY1 & RLY2 indicated on schematic as HFD2/003, but I guess should be HFD2/012-S-L2 (as on pictures)
-Diodes U4/U5/U6 what was the design choice to go for the UF5408 instead of even faster silicon carbide diodes? (indicated on schematic as 1N5408, but I guess should be UF5408 as on parts list).

I enclosed a parts list, still with some personal notes/additions to it of what I’ve ordered/plan to order so far.

Best regards,
Rodolphe
Solid State charger - Parts list V0.1.pdf

[pearldragon]

Installed my coil winder and wound the coils; pretty happy with it. Each coil is about 2000turns, resistance +/-11 Ohm per coil, 21 AWG wire.

-Magnet wire - Temco 21 AWG
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/261085733663...Bk9SR4j0s8WNYQ

-Coil winder YT-99A
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32819...UR%21%E2%82%AC %20140%2C12%21%E2%82%AC%20121%2C91%21%21%21%21%21% 40211b441e16683575460884400ec7d2%2164875108334%21b tf&_t=pvid%3A118b0aba-3905-4908-a5ea-397c87a6531f&afTraceInfo=32819678960__pc__pcBridge PPC__xxxxxx__1668357546&spm=a2g0o.ppclist.product. mainProduct&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld

-Empty bobbins/spools - ?81.5mm wide / 84mm high / ?19mm bobine
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/40011...yAdapt=glo2nld

-Core material (for bobbins/spools) - CEWELD G1 (1m, ?1.6, AWS: A5.2 : R45-G / DIN: 8554: G1 / w.nr 1.0324)
http://ceweld.de/en/product/g1

[JulesP]

The original link seems to no longer work so here is a refreshed one:

https://mega.nz/folder/xF12XBKK#FBieZOk74f3ZeFiAa4g-3A

The ‘replication’ folder specifically for that purpose is:

https://mega.nz/folder/YUM0nLoT#bYpLIazqMM5K2IrEQjghDQ

There will be more material added to theses folders from mid Jan onwards, when the Manual and PCB files will be added, and some files will be common to both sets of folders.

J

[pearldragon]

Hi Julian,

I noticed that your link from post #1 does not work anymore (https://mega.nz/.....). Did you change it, did it expire or did something else happen to it?

Regards,
Rodolphe

[pearldragon]

Hi Julian,

You thought I was just here harassing you and not actually planning to build anything?

The picture with its 10 bobbins might give a bit of the wrong impression; I don’t intend to make 10 coils. They were cheap, ordered them from aliexpress, so ordered double the amount, hoping that half of them would not be too deformed, so planning to use only 5.
I need to make a small jig to support the rod at one end of the small coil winder you see in the picture since it is not intended for such relative big coils, but will do that in the upcoming holidays.

Diodes are in, mosfets should be this week, already have some of the relays, PWM module is on its way.

Once I have everything setup, installed and ready to go in the future, for sure I will start with using the AGM or flooded lead acid batteries on the output, getting familiar with the setup, before buying any Li-Ion batteries.

Thanks for the research/uploaded file of post #39. ‘Keen’ to read it .

Best regards,
Rodolphe

[JulesP]

I have completed some further tests using a bank of capacitors in place of the receiving battery that has shown that the electrochemistry of the battery is fundamental to the apparent energy gain.

However, this does not indicate the source of the energy itself. In other words, it is still not clear if the energy is coming from the dissolution of the chemical bonds in the electrolyte caused by the HV pulses, i.e. that the battery itself is the 'fuel', or if the chemistry is acting as an intermediary in an energetic process from somewhere else e.g. the vacuum.

It will take some innovative and comprehensive tests to clarify that.