Model Engine Maker

The Showcase => Vehicles & Models => Topic started by: AOG on October 21, 2017, 09:15:31 PM

Title: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: AOG on October 21, 2017, 09:15:31 PM: The steam powered iPhone charger is complete. The good news is that it will charge an iPhone. The bad news is that the boiler I picked isn't up to the job. With that engine and load I need to hold a minimum of 47 psi to charge a phone. The boiler is only capable of maintaining about 20 psi under load. I did hook it up to my compressor and it worked like a champ. So I have achieved proof of concept. Pictures and a video below.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171021/e21f0762a25cd7e6fa09ff2c7774b329.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171021/528c1fef790a792578bdc5ba08d91a2f.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171021/625b8f50f56f5217f5879c18a3d2622d.jpg)

Here is a video of it charging a phone while operating on compressed air.

https://vimeo.com/239269893 (https://vimeo.com/239269893)

I'm not done with this concept. Now that I have proof of concept I will eventually make a mark 2 version with a bigger boiler.

Till next time

Tony

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: Gas_mantle on October 21, 2017, 09:22:59 PM: Nice job Tony :)

I'm surprised the engine needs 47psi to charge the phone though, that seems a lot for a small engine.

What is the bore and stroke of the engine ?
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: AOG on October 21, 2017, 09:29:51 PM: Thanks, the bore is .498 and the stroke is .745 inches

Tony
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: Perry on October 21, 2017, 09:32:35 PM: Hello Tony, nice setup! Mentioning 20psi not being sufficient.. Is it due to lack of rpm at dynamo at that pressure? If so, have you tried to change gearing ratio? To drive dynamo directly from flywheel diameter. Just my thoughts as I was able to charge phone with probably less power with my stirling engine.

Nice work anyway :)
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: AOG on October 21, 2017, 09:42:05 PM: Basically it's a torque issue. I played around with multiple pulley sizes before I settled on 2 to 1. If the pulley gets much bigger the engine will stall. If it's much smaller I couldn't get the RPMs I needed at the generator. I even remade the piston because I was afraid the original was blowing by. No real change in the numbers.

Tony
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: Gas_mantle on October 21, 2017, 09:43:56 PM: Is it possible to bore it out a bit and make a larger piston ?
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: AOG on October 21, 2017, 09:50:11 PM: Not really, if I go much bigger I will break unto the piston valve bore.

Tony
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: b.lindsey on October 21, 2017, 10:12:59 PM: Still a nice set-up Tony. Are you getting enough heat to the boiler?

Bill
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: AOG on October 21, 2017, 10:34:43 PM: I'm useing a Bix ceramic burner. I'm not sure what else I could use. Solid fuel isn't really an option.

Tony
Title: Re: AOG's steam powered iPhone charger MK 1 completed
Post by: 10KPete on October 22, 2017, 12:33:11 AM: I think that using 18th century tech to charge a cell phone is really cool. I'll bet that most folks just won't understand.....

Nice work!!

Pete