Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

How to Make Hydropower Power a Lightbulb

Renewable sources of energy reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Hydroelectric power is one of these renewable sources. Hydroelectric power uses the power of a current of water forcing turbines to spin to create electricity. Creating a homemade hydroelectric generator which produces enough electricity to light a light bulb requires just a few items that can be found at a local hobby store.

Things You'll Need

2 pieces of wood
Nails
Wood glue
3-volt motor
Propeller
Multlimeter
LED light bulb

Instructions

- 1
  Connect the small motor to a piece of wood. Small craft motors of 1 to 3 volts can be purchased at craft stores. Many of these motors have mounting brackets which either come with the motor or are purchased for a few dollars more.
- 2
  Create a handle by connecting the piece of wood with the motor on it to a longer piece of wood. Use nails and wood glue to hold the two pieces together.
- 3
  Connect a propeller to the motor. For small motors, propellers from remote control airplanes work well.
- 4
  Connect the positive and negative wires from the motor to a multimeter to test that the device is creating power when the propeller is spun.
- 5
  Connect the wires to an LED lightbulb. Use the LED bulb instead of a standard lightbulb because it requires less electricity to light.
- 6
  Run a stream of water, such as from a faucet, and hold the propellers in the path of the water to light the bulb.

Science