This gravity powered light was designed to provide a cheap power source for Third World nations. I assume it could also have camping and caravan applications. Interesting in either case
If SuperCheap can sell 3 solar powered rechargeable LED lights (battery, solar panel, case and led) for $5 on special, which sell at other times for $4.95 ea, then what hope has a 'gravity' lamp at $10 got! - I'd guess at $10 there is no profit as it is a charity(?) The solar one will run for about 4 hours and has no moving parts. A problem I see with the gravity light is dust will be it's enemy. It's good to see people thinking of things like this so good luck to them.
Boothie said
04:54 AM Jan 31, 2013
Looks good, but realistically, how much is it going to cost given the "plastics" involved. Hydrocarbons to produce the plastics will probably be more than the kerosenes and other organic fuels used for light. Given that diesel and kerosene are low order distilates that come off well before petrol, makes me wonder what price is often paid for higher order polymers such as plastics. I would love to find out what the cost, in hydrocarbons, is the typical 2.5 kW home solar systems actually costs, I have one and paid very little for it compared to todays costs.
Not looking for an argument, just wondering if the cost of something like this will be off set by incentives that will make people look to make so called cheap alternatives.
Okay, the big question is, does a tonne of plastic with an estimated 100 kg of copper wire and some other stuff cost more than an estimated one tonne of kerosene that will probably be burnt in lamps that have already been around for twenty years, used in a place where the carbon dioxide produced by the hydrocarbons burnt are most likely going to be absorbed by the immediate plants in the neighbourhood really going to cause a problem?
I am stuffed if I know, but if I don't ask the question who will? Like I said, I don't want an argument, I just want to know if people have considered the same arguments! Even for on the road.
Roving-Dutchy said
05:48 AM Jan 31, 2013
What a wonderful invention and a great saving in cost to the users as it stated in the presentation that the cost of the unit would be recovered in 3 months of by the savings, by not having to buy kerosene. it can also be used to power other devices, can also be used at any time, not dependant on the sun. Cheers David
Boothie said
06:15 AM Jan 31, 2013
Happiness is relative, I suppose.
Big Gorilla said
08:07 AM Jan 31, 2013
Here is a very cheap light used in Philippine slums and costs nothing !!
-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Thursday 31st of January 2013 08:08:30 AM
Onedodger said
05:31 PM Jan 31, 2013
Having used the old hurricane lamp myself I do think that this idea has a lot of merit. If they can ramp it up a bit with some cheap solar then it is a great way to go.
When I went camping with the grandchildren we had a toilet tent placed nearby so I simply used three garden solar lights placed to get all day sun then put one outside door at dusk and the other 2 inside. Every person who used the makeshift dunny loved the idea including the kids as they were not afraid to go to the loo after dark.
-- Edited by Onedodger on Thursday 31st of January 2013 05:32:43 PM
Santa said
08:07 PM Jan 31, 2013
Invention? nope, simply the same principal used in grandfather clocks of old, just a new way of applying the stored energy.
This gravity powered light was designed to provide a cheap power source for Third World nations. I assume it could also have camping and caravan applications. Interesting in either case
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7aCvf2MQmM
The solar one will run for about 4 hours and has no moving parts.
A problem I see with the gravity light is dust will be it's enemy.
It's good to see people thinking of things like this so good luck to them.
Looks good, but realistically, how much is it going to cost given the "plastics" involved. Hydrocarbons to produce the plastics will probably be more than the kerosenes and other organic fuels used for light. Given that diesel and kerosene are low order distilates that come off well before petrol, makes me wonder what price is often paid for higher order polymers such as plastics. I would love to find out what the cost, in hydrocarbons, is the typical 2.5 kW home solar systems actually costs, I have one and paid very little for it compared to todays costs.
Not looking for an argument, just wondering if the cost of something like this will be off set by incentives that will make people look to make so called cheap alternatives.
Okay, the big question is, does a tonne of plastic with an estimated 100 kg of copper wire and some other stuff cost more than an estimated one tonne of kerosene that will probably be burnt in lamps that have already been around for twenty years, used in a place where the carbon dioxide produced by the hydrocarbons burnt are most likely going to be absorbed by the immediate plants in the neighbourhood really going to cause a problem?
I am stuffed if I know, but if I don't ask the question who will? Like I said, I don't want an argument, I just want to know if people have considered the same arguments! Even for on the road.
Cheers
David
Happiness is relative, I suppose.
Here is a very cheap light used in Philippine slums and costs nothing !!
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/28/144385288/in-philippine-slums-capturing-light-in-a-bottle?sc=emaf
-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Thursday 31st of January 2013 08:08:30 AM
Having used the old hurricane lamp myself I do think that this idea has a lot of merit.
If they can ramp it up a bit with some cheap solar then it is a great way to go.
When I went camping with the grandchildren we had a toilet tent placed nearby so I simply used three garden solar lights placed to get all day sun then put one outside door at dusk and the other 2 inside. Every person who used the makeshift dunny loved the idea including the kids as they were not afraid to go to the loo after dark.
-- Edited by Onedodger on Thursday 31st of January 2013 05:32:43 PM
Invention? nope, simply the same principal used in grandfather clocks of old, just a new way of applying the stored energy.