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Stirling Job, Old Bean!

07/08/12(Tue)13:40

Yay! Just finished making my first Stirling Engine. It even works!!! :O
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine

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09/08/12(Thu)21:18

Comment No.18886

>>0 nice collection!

08/08/12(Wed)13:12

Comment No.18816

>>18806 WOW! Look at that thing go! For a moment, it looked like it was going to shake apart! ;D

08/08/12(Wed)12:49

Comment No.18811

>>18810 Thanks goodgrief, making things is what makes life worth living :)

08/08/12(Wed)12:45

Comment No.18810

Jolly good show, JC. Great sense of accomplishment to build things, isn't it?

08/08/12(Wed)11:01

Comment No.18808

>>18806 so, the solar panel is on the other side?
The solar panel is on the roof of the windmill.
Almost forgot to mention, that table lamp next to the windmill is solar powered too! :D

I can't imagine it makes a very efficient charger, a solar panel would be better. The great thing about stirling engines is that they can run on very low amounts of energy compared to a steam engine. Although a steam engine is more efficient.
Look for LTD (low temperature differential) stirling engines, they can run on a temperature difference of as little a 1C!!! :O

PS. I was gonna work for ESA, but they insisted that that I be paid in Euros, rather than boobs! It was a deal breaker for me!!! ;P

08/08/12(Wed)08:07

Comment No.18806

Too cool! You should work at ESA or NASA!
so, the solar panel is on the other side?

Handy? Great sound though!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9vPdcW_qTg&feature=player_embedded

07/08/12(Tue)21:48

Comment No.18800

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vF4FeqSL4I

07/08/12(Tue)21:46

Comment No.18799

>>18793
A stirling engine powering a few leds (different type to mine)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hot-Air-Stirling-Engine-Electricity-Generator-Power-Generator-Educational-Toy-/120963021365?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item1c29f53a35

A sterling engine similar to mine
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Low-Temperature-Stirling-Engine-Education-Toy-Kit-Free-Shipping-/250910372078?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6b6c70ee

This is the kit to make one like mine. It comes with the cylinders pre made and you have to make the frame from cardboard or plywood.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Walking-beam-Stirling-engine-working-model-unusual-kit-hot-air-/290748124873?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item43b1f04ec9

07/08/12(Tue)21:41

Comment No.18798

>>18793
>btw, is that a Solar windmill without the solar panels? ;)
No, it's a solar windmill with a solar panel! When the sun shines (rarely in the uk) the blades spin :D

And what's in the jars?
I converted a couple of old garden solar lights in to jars so in the evening the jars glow :)

07/08/12(Tue)20:52

Comment No.18796

>>18789 YAY!

07/08/12(Tue)20:37

Comment No.18793

I found a Sterling based device (not a toy!) at Conrad (the UK site didn't have it)
http://www.conrad.nl/ce/nl/product/190638/Kaarsen-sterlingmotor/2420141&ref=list
It's similar to your design with the exception that it has a 150 parts!

You think it could power a light bulb or an led? Maybe attach wires or a magnet somehow..
btw, is that a Solar windmill without the solar panels? ;)

And what's in the jars?

07/08/12(Tue)20:21

Comment No.18789

Video uploading to YouTube... ...gonna take a while...

07/08/12(Tue)20:03

Comment No.18785

You'll find instructions to make your own stirling engines on this site!
http://www.scraptopower.co.uk/pdf-downloads
My engine is the walking beam one but there are several types to make :)

07/08/12(Tue)20:00

Comment No.18781

>>18769
>Cool! So as long as the candle burns it keeps on going, correct?
Almost correct, the displacer cylinder (the coke can) requires to be hot at one end and cold at the other (inside the pie dish at the top is cold water to keep it cool).

>How much power does it give back?
Not a great deal, less than a steam engine of a similar size.

>What can/will you do with it?
Brag to people that I made it! XD
I believe some people have powered boats with large stirling engines.

>Can you make a video of your contraption in action, please?
I'll see what I can do...

>>18772
>Where should I send my order for one?!
eBay! You'll find kits to make ones like this and ready made ones too. Just search 'Stirling Engine'

>How long did this take to build?
I made it over a couple of days, but it could be done in a few hours or less.

>>18774
Are you using a bellows type device to drive the flywheel?
No, the driving force is from the air movement between the hold and cold ends of the displacer cylinder.

>What about cooling?
The top end of the cylinder has cold water around it. Ice can be used for more power!

>Is atmosphere enough cooling?
Yes and no, the water in the top will warm up over time and so the cylinder will lose power. But refreshing the cold water with ice cubes will fix that problem.

07/08/12(Tue)18:28

Comment No.18774

Are you using a bellows type device to drive the flywheel? What about cooling? Is atomsphere enough cooling?

07/08/12(Tue)17:46

Comment No.18772

Fantastic! Where should I send my order for one?! :p
How long did this take to build?!

07/08/12(Tue)17:31

Comment No.18769

Cool! So as long as the candle burns it keeps on going, correct?
How much power does it give back? What can/will you do with it?
Last question: Can you make a video of your contraption in action, please?

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