Solar Bottle Bulb

You may have previously heard or read this before. Due to its practicality, its cost, materials availability, the effect that is impacting our daily lives, I am delighted to spread this idea.

As those wise men keep saying, necessity is the mother of inventions. The electrical shortage and increasing cost of electricity, the solar bottle bulb technology was born in Brazil invented by Alfredo Poser in 2002, a mechanic worker looking for a way for a substitute to electricity light using bottles of water.

This simple idea, a solution to energy crisis took many years before it was realized, implemented and spread to the world and at last, it's here in the Philippines. A Liter of Light (Isang Litrong Liwanag), proposes an alternative solution for household electricity dependence and open flame fire hazards using the natural source of light - The Sun.

The lightning project will use the solar bottle bulbs made from recyclables 1.5 Liter PET bottles, filtered water, chlorine and salt. This will cost approximately P50 to make 1 piece and will save at least P500 monthly electric bill. It will also save our planet earth from global warming, preventing climate change. 1 solar bulb would save 17 kg of carbon dioxide in a year. Imagine a millions solar bottles installed in household throughout our country and the whole world.

A Liter of Light is the latest project venture by MyShelter Foundation established by Illac Diaz to create a system of sustainability and reliability through its capability building and employment generating projects. The project aims to light a millions homes in dispriveledge communities nationwide in 2012.


Philippines Guinness World Record for Most Solar Bulbs installed in a day

Last Nov 30,  11,300 solar bulbs was installed by Rotary Club District 3380 and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in low income communities in Metro Manila to break world record for the the most installed solar bulb in 1 day set by Brazil which is 3000. Continuing for the project, 100,000 will be installed in Cebu this December and another 107, 000 solar bulbs early next year which marks 107th anniversary of Rotary Club District.


How to Make a Solar Bottle Bulb

To make a Solar Bottle Bulb, you need a 1.5 Liter PET bottles, flat or corrugated metal roof, filtered water, chlorine, salt and sealant. This simple lighting technology is very easy to make. Just follow the simple steps below.

Cut a circular Hole in the metal roof, approximately less than the diameter of your 1.5 Liter Soda bottle. Make a small strips perpendicular to the hole for a better grip of sealant and the container.

Insert the 1.5L soda bottle to the metal roof up to 1/3 of  its body and apply sealant around the metal strips. Let it dry.

Filled with filtered water. Water should be free from contamination to be able to reflect light perfectly. Put chlorine to resist the growth of algae, moss or any microorganisms.

Installed in your roof. Apply sealant for waterproofing.

Solar Bottle Bulb works by refraction of light rays because of different medium, air and water. By refracting light from the sun, it produces light 360 degrees around the room with equivalent light power of 60 watts bulb. It will last for 5 years without maintenance and before the water has to be changed. The chlorine prevent the growth of microorganism and maintain the clarity of the water.

Sources:

Isang Litrong Liwanag

How to make aSolar Bulb

Homebuilt Arc Welder Mod

What a luck to have salvaged these batteries, Panasonic 28 amps sealed lead acid batteries. A lot more current than what I currently use.

Secured on a luggage dolly

Cement Mixers of Different Breed

Cement mixer construction comes in different design and build. This is true due to each builder tries to keep the cost to a minimum, one builder suggests his design is better than the other, most of the time, parts availability in the area is one factor to consider, too. Below are photos of different built, different brand, with varying prices that gives me the ideas on how I conceived mine:

Kobalt brand from Lowes Store.

This was built from a discarded washing machine.

Made from a metal drum.

This looks like a big hand mixer to me.

Hand driven swinging metal drum.

Cement Mixer Mod1

After learning some basic arc welding, I decided to up the ante on my cement mixer. One of the problems I encountered is the mixer bucket is low to ground. If I have to transfer mix cement to a wheelbarrow I will have to raise the whole machine. Also, carrying the mixer itself is a bit awkward, although the mixer feels more rigid when in placed, with its outward facing legs there will always a chance that it will hit your knees as it happened to me one time. Transporting the whole machine takes some space, have to allow at least 3 sqft of space.

Welding results

Welded pieces of left over bed frame brackets.

After a continuous two hours of welding lessons, the batteries voltages dropped. A call for a break time and an opportunity to charge charge the batteries.

Getting More Things Done

   God created the world in six days, and then he took a day off. Well, good for the Almighty, but that’s a luxury most of us don’t have. There’s just so much to do - and so many supposedly time-and labor-saving devices to complicate the process. We can’t necessarily change our to-do list, but according to time management expert Julie Morgenstern, we can do something about the sometimes cockeyed way we try to get it all done.

Make A Plan. Don’t just jump into the fray of your day; in fact, try to avoid the fray entirely. Morgenstern suggests that you sit down for five to ten minutes before the start of the workday (better yet, the night before) to plan what needs to be done and when. Draft a to-do list and assign times to various tasks throughout the day to keep yourself moving forward.

Beat The Clock. Set an oven or computer timer for 10, 15, or 30 minutes and challenge yourself to get as much done on a given tasks as possible. A deadline is a great motivator and a mighty aid in avoiding the mother of all distractions: the internet.

Stay Focused. Turn off the phone and shut down e-mail when dealing with tasks that require focus. When someone comes to you with a matter that can wait, let them wait. Don’t be afraid to say, “I’ll have to get back to you later.

Become a Taskmaster. Don’t avoid delegating around the house because “it’s easier to do it myself.” That attitude is both martyr like and exhausting. Assign age-and time-appropriate tasks to everyone in the family, and you’ll marvel at how much gets done. Outside the home, organize volunteer activities so you can trade off with others.

Chunk It. Instead of writing, clean the attic on you to-do list, break down the task into bite-size jobs. You’ll make progress faster and feel as if you’ve accomplish more.

Plan for Unpleasant Surprises. Is your doctor or airline running behind? Always carry a book, a small organization or planning project, a list of phone calls to make, letters to write (or read), or a knitting project. You’ll have something to work on while you’re waiting.

Be Flexible. If something in the day’s schedule doesn’t work out, don’t fret and don’t miss a beat. Just move on to the next task. And don’t be a slave to your to-do list. You don’t work for your list; your list work for you. If someone invites you out for ice cream on a beautiful afternoon, go says Morgenstern. Rest assured, the list will be there when you go back.

Readers Digest Sept 2011 issue

Homebuilt Arc Welder

   This time I am going to try the art of arc welding using the batteries available. Most dc welding work at around 40 volts, and a general purpose electrode of 1/8” will need about 120 amps for good penetration of weld. Thirty six(36) volts is available from three automotive batteries connected in series. This simple diagram shows how to hook it up:

   to metal plate <--- +battery- +battery- +battery- ---> to welding rod

An optional arc stabilizer inductor in series with the rod, made from scavenged microwave oven. Chop out the secondary and wind 20 turns of 10-guage wire. Leave the primary intact, it doesn't affect the function here. An inductor gives the current a momentum to blast through bits of flux and rust that get in the way. This makes the arc sputters a lot less, welding is easier, and the welds are better.

Photos of the project:

 First I built a safe box to hold the batteries. Then, I created a set of series-parallel batteries wired for 36 volts. Noticed I used 12 gauge wires to wired the batteries and soldered them to the posts. These are just the available parts I had at that time.

 These are cheap, sla batteries I salvaged from old uninterriptible power supplies from work. You can also find these in electric scooters,  7 amp hour, 12 volts.

Due to small amperage capacity, I intended to use this 1/16 inch electrode, one of the smallest electrodes available on the market..

My complete kit with set of gloves, electrode holder made from pvc pipe, an old goggle purchased from the nearby thrift shop, alligator clips. ready for a test.

Cement Mixer 3/3

   So far I've been enjoying this new addition to my equipment. I thought about adding more feature to it and so I did. I had this geared motor from which I bought for a buck from the previous garage sale. It's labeled 12 volt geared motor, though no amps specified, 128 rpm. This was probably pulled out from a car, it could be a wiper but I have no idea. This should be enough to rotate the drum.

I went one step ahead by making it a battery operated mixer. Just hooked it up to your car's cigarette lighter.

   In conclusion, there is so much to do with the recycled materials lying around and ready to be put to used. I found it enjoyable and worth building things from scratch. Everyday that I see things around, I knew I have something to put it to used. It's just a matter of time or if I can pass it around. Going over with the expense of my project. I would say I spent a lot, too.
Expenses rundown:
Metal drum - free
Bike crank set - free
Steel bracket - free from bed frame
Set of rubber wheels - free from discarded travel suitcase
Nuts and Bolts - a couple of bucks
Geared motor- a buck
Labor - priceless

Cement Mixer 2/3

   Below after some modification, comes the stable manual crank cement mixer. Made from recycled metal drum, bed frames, and set of wheels from discarded suitcase.

Cement Mixer 1/3

   I have been slowly finishing up my weekend project. A 14 feet x 14 feet front patio project and because of my tight budget and busy schedule on weekends, I decided to do it one phase at a time. I mean do when whenever I have the time. This month, I will be leveling up the ground, a month after will be laying out hollow blocks around it, and so forth. I am doing it myself and if lucky enough, my daughter will lend her hand out. I have purchased all the materials needed awhile back and the only things needed are the equipment.  Lately I thought about buying a cement mixer. I thought about buying a used one from craigslist or just rent one from so called Home Depot.
   Well wait, they said necessity is the mother of innovation.  I have this small metal drum that has been lying around in my backyard and at one time was trying to get rid of it. There goes my idea. Why not build one from scratch from these common materials rusting in my backyard. I have this metal drum, a broken bike, some bed metal frames that has been collecting rust, and there you go...

Building cement mixer from a discarded metal drum using a kid's bike

   After completing this 6 hour project I decided for a trial. Not quite successful as expected. Unstable, it wobbles by just looking at it. More changes next week, it's getting dark now.

Welcome

Thank you for the time dopping by. My name is Botche, I am a Retiree trying to keep myself occupied in this digital world. I am in the process of gathering and posting projects that I built mostly from trash of which I hope I could share with you. Most of the projects I build are from used, recycled, garbage materials waiting to be toasted in the dumpster, common materials lying around the house so costs are minimal. It's only the time which probably will get you trying to figure out how best and efficient building such projects are. I know coming up with an idea is easy but putting it into reality is another chapter. I'd like to used such materials because it is readily available and simply put it to use and help out clean the environment and save our planet. So please bear with me and... I will be back soon.
Questions, please email me and I will do my best response at once.
Maraming Salamat Po.