Posted by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 03-04-2009
Tags: build a water turbine generator, build turbine generator, build turbine generator wind, diy, energy, howto, power, turbine, wind
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how much water pressure do i need to power a lightbulb?
we're trying to build a water turbine generator, and was wondering how much water pressure is needed to adeuqately propel the turbine and power a lightbulb, and if not an LED light.
The formula for an average system with approx.
50% efficiency is:
(Net head (feet) x Flow (US gpm) )/ 10 = Watts
For an average tap water supply with a head of
8 feet and flow of 2 gpm, you will generate
16/10, or approx 1.6 watts.
This is probably only enough to power an LED
or flashlight bulb.
Assuming you are working with a fixed pressure,
the key to getting more output wattage is to
increase the flow, if possible.
If you can get the flow up to about 5 gpm, this
will generate 4 watts, which will power a small
decorative type filament bulb. Best starting point
is to measure the head pressure and maximum
flow available from your water supply, then you
will know your output maximum.