While this light may provide cheap light through mechanical effort, it is a misrepresentation to say that it is "gravity powered." Gravity provides a means to convert potential energy into mechanical energy, but it doesnt' "generate" energy. All of the energy was already in this system.
In this case, the energy is provided by pulling on the rope. Assuming that gravity is actually involved, pulling the rope will lift some weight against gravity, converting mechanical energy (the pull) into potential energy. This is released over time as the weight returns to its starting point, but gravitational potential is acting as a storage for energy, not its source.
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Cuckoo clock light!
Edited by stepinit
Updated - 13th Dec
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LED Picture Lights
Posted by picturelights1
5 days ago
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+4
Votes
Ummmm... Not gravity powered
Posted by danson@...
12th Dec
+2
Votes
True. Would gravity storage device powered be more accurate?
I think it's a very elegant solution. Imagine an entire village lighted like this. If you can remember from history classes, or classic literature, there used to be lamp lighters that walked the cities turning on and lighting the gas street lamps each night, and turning them off each morning. Give a guy the job of pulling all the village lamps on each evening. Make 8 circuits each night from 6 to 9:30 PM and let them all shut down by 10 PM. No need to get up early in the morning to turn them off. And if early morning vendors need one, they can pull the rope themselves for whereever they set up.
Posted by Dr_Zinj
13th Dec
0
Votes
not all that new?
My wife has a "pig light" flashlight, you pump the handle a few times to get light. We have a storm radio on which you turn the crank to power it. Technology that is many decades old, this doesn't seem that different.
Posted by frylock
12th Dec
+3
Votes
I have to disagree -
you lift this bag of rocks a few feet, once, and get half an hour of light. No storage like batteries or supercaps to replace. I too have an LED flashlight. It drains and goes out after a couple of minutes now that the battery is a little older, and it takes a considerable effort (100-200 turns of the crank) to fully charge it. If as promised, this is much better. (on rereading, quite an endorsement - I wish to assure you I have no connection to the inventors)
Posted by RHambeau
13th Dec
+3
Votes
The difference
The difference is that your crank radio and light (I have the same) utilize a battery. Otherwise you'd need to constantly crank it to run. With no battery to deteriorate it could run for years.
Simple and brilliant.
Simple and brilliant.
Posted by harrim47
13th Dec
+4
Votes
Cuckoo clock light!
This could scale up with heavier weighs and a more rugged housing to provide light for a longer time. Reminds me of the old German Cuckoo!
Posted by stepinit
Updated - 13th Dec
+3
Votes
Great Idea
This light definitely has a place in the eco friendly lighting arena. Does anyone know who the distributor is?
This light would be great for low light areas like the Arctic and not having to purchase fuel means that people can put their money to better use. Love it.
This light would be great for low light areas like the Arctic and not having to purchase fuel means that people can put their money to better use. Love it.
Posted by Lisa1234567
13th Dec
+3
Votes
led lamp
Please, please make this available in the US. This is a great device for people who want renewable lighting, the underemployed, and those who simply want off the grid, one piece at a time.
Posted by littlepitcher
13th Dec
0
Votes
It Would Never Happen in the US
Because sleeze-bag lib lawyers would prevent innovative solutions like this light because the rocks/sand could injure someone.
Posted by ajrmd
13th Dec
0
Votes
Happening
Well the teabag lawyer would not even use science except when science benefited him or his client.
Posted by gbsk
13th Dec
-1
Votes
ajrmd's rabid paranoia
What an ignorant and completely inappropriate comment.
Posted by gouldbj
14th Dec
0
Votes
heh
While I found the comment funny - lib or cons - the lawyers and government would likely kill this project with paperwork. See the recent article about US vs DE solar in the NYT.
There's far too much fear mongering in the US.
There's far too much fear mongering in the US.
Posted by Havokmon
18th Dec
-1
Votes
Wow
An electric generator. How novel. What will they think of next.
Now where is that smiley for sarcasm?
Posted by Dukhalion
13th Dec
+1
Vote
Where to get this LED light
You can support the project here and get one sent to you too next year.
This is a self-created design project to help the needy and the 3rd World primarily but one which has created something that all could use.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/282006
This is a self-created design project to help the needy and the 3rd World primarily but one which has created something that all could use.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/282006
Posted by peter.bessey@...
13th Dec
0
Votes
"Gravity Powered"
Good day.
This LED is not gravity powered, but it generates its own electricity with the assistance of gravity.
It is hand-powered, but you don't have to constantly crank it. You only have to lift the weight once every thirty minutes, which is a great idea!
This made me revisit my hand-powered light project. It is inspiring.
This LED is not gravity powered, but it generates its own electricity with the assistance of gravity.
It is hand-powered, but you don't have to constantly crank it. You only have to lift the weight once every thirty minutes, which is a great idea!
This made me revisit my hand-powered light project. It is inspiring.
Posted by Kompulsa - GE
14th Dec
0
Votes
Using a tiny bit of elbow grease
Very cool. Literally. The best camping light ever for industrialized nations and a real boon to undeveloped ones. Eliminating batteries is HUGE for resource reduction. No fuel, other than the less than one calorie it takes to lift and/or pull it. Can't burn down your tent or hut or whatever.
Posted by gouldbj
14th Dec
0
Votes
Dynamic Energy is Everywere
We give rewards for solar, wind, and other "renewables." I'm waiting for our policymakers to figure out a way to incentivize people willing to create energy from their own direct work. It's all about capturing the EXISTING stored energy from our activities. Hydro power does it, elevators do it, hybrid car brakes do it, cyclists do it, even cuckoo clocks from the dark ages do it. So let's fall in love with dynamic energy.
Posted by globalbing
2nd Mar
0
Votes
LED Picture Lights
Perfectly lit pictures are being lit in multiple ways these days. Innovations and improvements in energy efficiency are constantly evolving and affecting lamp styles - creating new possibilities for accent lighting for artwork. LED lighting is here - eventually all our lighting products will be available in LED versions.
A fine way to bring contemporary LED frame lighting into your life is the Slim LED style #SLED20. Like our other model Slim-Line lamps the elegant and slender one inch diameter tube that is its shade seems to float over the picture frame and cast a warm white light. The 20" shade requires a 2-watt LED bulb strip (supplied with lamp). There is a 10-foot white cord with a transformer on the plug and an in-line switch. The SLED line comes in a variety of fine finishes including antique brass, polished brass, satin nickel, or polished chrome.
http://www.perfectpicturelighting.com/led-picture-lights.php
A fine way to bring contemporary LED frame lighting into your life is the Slim LED style #SLED20. Like our other model Slim-Line lamps the elegant and slender one inch diameter tube that is its shade seems to float over the picture frame and cast a warm white light. The 20" shade requires a 2-watt LED bulb strip (supplied with lamp). There is a 10-foot white cord with a transformer on the plug and an in-line switch. The SLED line comes in a variety of fine finishes including antique brass, polished brass, satin nickel, or polished chrome.
http://www.perfectpicturelighting.com/led-picture-lights.php
Posted by picturelights1
5 days ago