Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
(OP)
Hi Guys,
I am an Agicultural Engineer (Irrigation & Water Mngt).. and I'll highly appreciate any help/advice you can share on...
I operate on a farm (in the Philippines) several gasoline (anywhere from 6 to 10HP) "pull start" (rather than battery start) engines that drive water pumps. These pumps/engines are operated during the night (it is pitch black!). While the engines/pump are in line of sight, they are located far (100-400 yards) from where we can view them. At present, we do not know wether the engines are ON or OFF unless we inspect them regularly and individually.
Since combustion in the engines is done thru "spark plugs" and a magneto, is it feasible and practical to tap some current from the ignition system to power an LED ?
If so, will it significantly degrade the engine's efficiency?
Thank you,
Paskee
PS. I can get the engines wiring diagram from the manufacturer.
I am an Agicultural Engineer (Irrigation & Water Mngt).. and I'll highly appreciate any help/advice you can share on...
I operate on a farm (in the Philippines) several gasoline (anywhere from 6 to 10HP) "pull start" (rather than battery start) engines that drive water pumps. These pumps/engines are operated during the night (it is pitch black!). While the engines/pump are in line of sight, they are located far (100-400 yards) from where we can view them. At present, we do not know wether the engines are ON or OFF unless we inspect them regularly and individually.
Since combustion in the engines is done thru "spark plugs" and a magneto, is it feasible and practical to tap some current from the ignition system to power an LED ?
If so, will it significantly degrade the engine's efficiency?
Thank you,
Paskee
PS. I can get the engines wiring diagram from the manufacturer.





RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
What about the oil pressure switch? Most engines of this type would have an oil pressure switch to kill the engine if it runs low on oil. Tap into that signal, determine its characteristics, and take it from there.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
I will try your idea.. in fac .. the engine is coupled to the pump by a pulley/ belt configuration and I can place a smalll bicycle type generator to interface w/ the belt ... my reservation however is that a 2nd magneto is a mechanical solution, another thing that can break ... which we try to avoid as much as possible in the field... good thing is that its not a critical component of the engine/pump function.. I will inform you of the results in a month or so.. Thanks again..Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
I like your suggested solutions.."wire and bulbs":
a.the spark plug tap - the blinking effect is wonderful (easier to see and possibly extends the bulb life).. my thought is however to tap before the spark plug capacitor (on the main magneto) rathar than after (where it could possibly degrade the electrical inout to the spark plug and effect its function)
why NEON ... I did a cursory search, I did not find any advantage over LED?
b. the oil switch ... you are correct, a few of the engines have thie feature ..
I will ask the manufacturer ( Briggs and Stratton ) about both these solutions, snd what maximum power I can draw w/o affecting the engine.
Tahnks again VE1BLL...Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
For low voltage applications, it's gotta be LEDs all the way.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
The bicycle generator is somewhat inexpencive, which make it a good solution.
Most neon bulbs have a 90V conduction voltage, which is why they work well for high voltage. The current demand is also small, so a resistor is placed in series to drop the voltage. Most LED's have a turn on voltage in the 1 to 2 volt range, which makes them a little more problematic.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
The bicycle dynamo (runs by friction )probably will not work. I just called a mechanic at a bysycle shop..he said the bicycle dynamos were built tor maximum of 200 rpm.. an engine running at 2000-3000 rpm will smoke the dynamo. It means placing a reducing wheel to accomodate the speed.. that is another part/complication.
Also, they are expensive.. $100 for a dynamo(hub based) LED combination ! the engines they are running cost brand new about $300.. it seems a mismatch.
Thanks.. Paskee
PS.. The electrical solution ( I hopw it turnss out to be inexpensive). My thinking was small LED flashlights are so inexpensive ($5).. that I can get away with some wires and an pre-mounted LED light .. we have about 17 engines nad my farmer neighbors can benefit too from a solution.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
If I were doing this, my thought would be to have an alarm to alert me when an engine was off, instead of constantly having to go monitor for lights at each one. Maybe even set it up so that you are monitoring what the engine is doing(water pressure/flow I presume?), and that way you can catch issues aside from engine running.
Seems like a simpler solution would be to go on a walk around the field every so often :)
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
If we have 17 engines, and view (via binoculars) that a light that is supposed to be on on say location #6 is OFF..we will know that that engine is not working and then go out and fix it. The farm is about 20 acres. It takes anout 1.25 hrs to walk the periphery during the day, about 2.5 hrs in the night ( there are no roads or walkways.. just small paddy embankments..about 1 ft wide, earthen (snake risk, too!) .. and it is pitch black. It is third world situation, no electricity, etc.) Pressure, water flow is not a big concern.. just if it is running or not.
BTW... you presented a GREAT idea.. why not produce a signal when it is off (not when it is ON).. since the engines are running 95% of the time.. we save money by turning on an LED/or NEon bulbs only 5 %.. then batteries might work!
Thanks you... Paul
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Your spotlight / reflector idea ... kinda far (400 yards) and electricity is not available.. I got to power the spotlight w/ batteries
Thanks..Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
1) A generator. It can be any really small dc motor recharging a battery.
2) Thermal harvesting using the rejection heat of the exhaust.
3) Vibrational energy harvesting using the engines vibration.
4) Lastly would be solar. You could use the typical junker solar lights and use a vibration or pressure (water) switch to turn them on and off.
In all cases you'd want a simple blink of a high brightness LED pointed in your direction.
Now if we can just find an applicable product ready made.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Thank you.. but, I am looking for a $10 solution! .. Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
I hadn't thought about exhaust heat. If you buy some TC extension wire you may construct some thermo-piles that will generate enough power and voltage to light an LED when the exhaust is hot.
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
I'd start with about five turns of #24 solid insulated wire wrapped around the engine's spark plug lead and just soldered to the terminals of an LED. If the LED burns out quickly, insert a resistor.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Plese tell me your what happened to the device on your lawnmower.. maybe the solution I am looking for
Thanks
Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
which the normal power board had beenremoved because of damage. That 6X6 array in series normally starts
conducting at about 90 some volts if I remember. My power circuit was a .1uF 400V capacitor from the points
connected to the center of two 1N4005 diodes in series. The minus side of the diode string connected to ground.
The + side of the string connected to another .1uF cap filtering the output and a 300 ohm resistor going to the
+ side of the LED string. Engine was run at a fast idle and I estimate this was maybe 0.1 to 0.25W of power going
to the lamp. Not bright but clearly visable in daylight. I tried another 120V LED lamp directly across the
points but that didn't work at all. This is likely because these lamps normally contain an anti ghosting
resistor that places about a quarter watt resistive load on the lamp. This prevents household wiring capacitance
from causing the lamp to ghost on when not actually powered. It is likely a commercial 120V lamp would work
if this ghosting resistor is removed. Typically the resistor value is between 47,000 and 100,000 ohms. I
measured the AC voltage at the points and it was about 100V making these LED lamps a good match. Is the
normal line voltage there 220V?. My LED was white. If a 36 LED string could be found that might be more
efficient.
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
1. The normal line voltage in the Phils is 220Volts... but there is no elctric service in the farm ... we have a small generator.. but thta's it.
2. I am gald your lawnmower worked ! And if you can see the LEd during the day.. it surely will work during the pitch black of the night ! Hooray!
3. Where did you connect the LED wire? ( you mentioned points?)
Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
1. I am US base, living in California.. so I can buy the components here.
2. Yes, I can buy at ebay, Amazon, or wherever in the het.
3. Sorry, but I still do not what connection to the points is/are..please elaborate.
4. What also is an RE project... "real experience" ?
thanks a lot..
Paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
http://www.fieldlines.com/index.php/topic,147267.0...
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
I went to www. fieldlines... your description was of the schematics was good... the pictures were truncated (incomplete).. can you please send the pictures directly to me...appreciate it greatly... thanks paskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Or right click on them and "save picture to" a file on your desktop and look at them without a browser.
You're not allowed to put your email address in these forums so I don't see how opera is going to "email you".
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
Got the pix/circuit... thanks ... I will try it as soon as I get an engine
PAskee
RE: Tapping power from a gas engine to light an LED
I haven't been able to find other suitable lamps with a single LED die. I did purchase
from China a lamp identical to this ebay #170942327062. The case did snap apart.