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Valerie,

I don't know about the kit you have but I know some things about motors and
LEDs.  So, this is a guess on my part.

First both LED and DC motors (used as generators) have polarity.  When the
shaft on a DC motor is spun one way it will generate Direct Current flowing
in one direction.  When spun the other direction the flow of the current
goes in the other direction.  An LED will only light when the current is
flowing in the correct direction.  If you spin the motor by hand and the LED
is connected properly, the LED should light when spun in one direction and
not the other.  If the propeller is spinning the motor shaft in "the other"
(wrong direction for the way the LED is connected) it will not light the LED
when wind blows on the prop.  It should be a simple matter of reversing the
wires on the LED.

You may also have a resistor connected in series with the LED.  This is to
prevent excessive current through the LED (which will burn out the LED).
This resistor can be on either side of the LED.

Just a guess.  Good luck,

-Mark-

 * Mark Fowle, Partner
 * SIGNAL-INNOVA
 * 2841 East 19th Street
 * Signal Hill, CA 90755
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Valerie Johnston" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 1:16 PM
Subject: Help - Wind Powered Generator Kit


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

Hello!

I purchased a wind powered generator student kit. The kit includes a balsa
wood platform, a propeller, an LED, and motor. Once the propeller spins it
is supposed to light the LED. No such luck. I've been talking to customer
service at the supplier for a week. They even sent a lower-power LED, but
still nothing works. The only time the LED lights (less than a second) is
when I spin the motor with my fingers.

Has anyone had a similar experience and can give me the secret? I have tried
all of the hints in the manual. The customer service rep said no one has
ever had a problem with this kit before.

Also if you know of another classroom-sized wind powered generator that
isn't expensive (I saw two on the web for $200 and $400) I would appreciate
the information.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Valerie Johnston
Educator
Outreach Coordinator
Adventure Science Center
615-401-5079
[log in to unmask]

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