Working Air Battery

[jeanna]

So now i have redone the Batteries only this time i decided to add a bit of baking soda to the mixture instead of just salt, and it got me a good jump in current. I was able to light some LEDs off humidity this time around, and by wiring two together and adding about a ML of water to each I was able to light a fluorescent using a Jeanna's Light JT circuit. So I thought that was pretty neat and i will leave you guys with a picture to go with this, and keep up the good work everyone.

-Pete

Nice work, Pete!

I have one like that and I was also struggling to make it do much.
So far 2 leds in series but not fully bright is the best I have done.
I can get them fully bright, but then they are only on half the time about 15 seconds on then 15 seconds off, so that won't do.
I guess it is time to add some magnesium sulphate to the cotton to see if that ups the amps as well as salt or baking soda.

thank you!
=====
@billmehess,
The studies are still incomplete, but, with a plant battery, it seems that you will use up around 1.2gr -1.6 gr of magnesium in 8 days with constantly wet soil.
There is a lot more to test, but when it takes a week at a time, the tests go on for a while. But that should give you a place to start.

[1.2gr is around 20 inches and 1.6 is around 30 inches of magnesium ribbon.
And the batteries offered about 1.5mA to 3mA to the circuit.]

thank you,

jeanna

[lasersaber]

Jeanna,

Is there something in your soil that is acidic?  I cannot imagine what would A your ribbon go so fast.  I have run test batteries at much higher mA currents for weeks on end and not noticed this kind of rapid break down.  Maybe there are fertilizers in you plants soil?  I will have to get a digital scale so that I can do some tests over time.  Maybe the breakdown is so uniform that I just can't detect it by sight.  I am doing a long term test now with the batteries used in my last YouTube video.  I have had them running the flashlight non stop since I made the video.  I have not had to wet them down since I made them and the light is still very bright.

[markdansie]

@lasersaber
is it the magnesium ribbon that breaks down or do you get a chemical buildup between the graphite and the ribbon?
With your first ones you built how are they holding up?
I have ordered the components now and hope to add to this conversation with some results soon. It takes a while to get parts to me in Australia
Kind Regards
Mark

[lasersaber]

is it the magnesium ribbon that breaks down or do you get a chemical buildup between the graphite and the ribbon?

I think I have experienced the chemical build up you speak of on a different design.  Back when I first tried making these I used a copper pipe instead of a carbon rod.  They always worked great right at first but dropped in power rapidly in a very short time.  The power dropped but the mag ribbon seemed to be in fine condition.  It was because of these early experiments that I switched to a carbon core.  Since using the carbon core I have never had this problem.  I have not had any issues with the new design yet.  My original air batteries are still working fine.

[jeanna]

Jeanna,

Is there something in your soil that is acidic?  I cannot imagine what would A your ribbon go so fast.  I have run test batteries at much higher mA currents for weeks on end and not noticed this kind of rapid break down.  Maybe there are fertilizers in you plants soil?  I will have to get a digital scale so that I can do some tests over time.

That is a good plan to get a scale. It helps to have the weight.

Um,
I added dolomite limestone to all but one of mine, so they should not be acidic.
I use something that the mushroom growers use, so there is a lot of organic material in the soil.
I thought it was good.
I mean 1.6gr is a 30 inch piece and it lasted for close to 200 hours running solidly on?

Maybe the breakdown is so uniform that I just can't detect it by sight.

Yes, in fact most of the time mine are failing in only one spot. If they went uniformly they should last longer and better.
I tried the tape to see if it would hold the mag ribbon together, but it is keeping it too dry, as there is very little output.

I am doing a long term test now with the batteries used in my last YouTube video.  I have had them running the flashlight non stop since I made the video.  I have not had to wet them down since I made them and the light is still very bright.

This is good to know.
I appreciate knowing how long these are lasting.

Also,
Please tell us if the outside ones are still going?
Or, how long they lasted?

thank you,

jeanna