Fruity Clocks and Torches.
TEP is publishing a range of booklets for the new engineering diploma. The first of these ‘Corrosion: the
virus of engineering’ is coming soon. This booklet includes how to make a range of batteries, however, as
they are home made they tend to have a low power output and so normally they cannot be used to power
anything. MUTR has two products that fit this bill, the LED boost and the LCD clock with leads.
Here is an example of an activity where they can be used.
What you need to make a fruity clock or torch:
Connecting leads and crocodile clips
LED boost or LCD clock with leads
4 Lemon quarters (or any other fruit)
4 Iron nails
4 Shiny copper coins (2p or 1p)
How to make a fruity clock or torch:
1. Insert the iron nail and the copper coin into one of the lemon segments
ensuring that they do not come into contact with one another.
2. Connect this to the object to be powered, does it work? This is a
single cell.
3. Try connecting several cells together in series or in parallel to produce
a battery.
After each cell is added to the battery see if you have
enough power.
It might be that lemon cells in both series and parallel
are needed.