A DIY battery that lasts forever? This may seem like a stretch but some people have attested to making one. Preppers, homesteaders and off-gridders all agree that it’s important to have some form of energy source to help them survive any emergency situation, disaster, or the end of the world. Some people believe generators can do the job but there are a few reservations with it. Many think solar power is the answer and they may be right. However, there are still limitations with this power source, particularly if there’s no sun shining.
Fortunately, you can increase your chances of having a continuous energy supply if you know how to make a DIY battery that will last for a long time.
The Dickens Magnesium-Water-Copper Battery, or simply Dickens Magnesium Battery, is one such long-lasting source of power. The relatively simple device is named after its inventor, Stephen Dickens.
Also known as Galvanic Cell, the concept behind this DIY battery is nothing new. It has been around as early as the late 1700’s, though some believe it could be earlier. Dickens simply made it into something so simple and affordable that anyone could make one.
To make your own battery that lasts forever or at least for a really, really long time, you will need a few items that are pretty easy to get your hands on.
What you need for your DIY battery:
- Magnesium rod
- Metal electrode
- Hose clamp
- Foam insulation
- Copper wire
- Glass jar with lid
- Water
Instruction:
First on the list is a magnesium rod. While it may sound complicated, magnesium rods are actually easy to procure and relatively cheap at $3 each, give or take. You can order some from the internet. Find one that measures around 3.5 inches long and half inch in diameter.
The magnesium rod is the key to your DIY battery. If you have a little background on prepping, you most likely know by now that magnesium is used to start fires. Your long-lasting DIY battery will utilize the magnesium rod as its source of electricity.
You’ll also need a metal electrode and a hose clamp. Simply attach the metal to the magnesium rod using the hose clamp. You can use any kind of metal. It’s up to you to determine which one works best.
Wrap the rod with half inch thick foam insulation. Make sure it’s not too tight.
Follow that up with the copper wire. Coil the wire around the foam about ten times.
Grab your small glass jar and make holes on its lid. Place the contraption in the jar. Pour water into the jar up to the top of the foam then close the lid making sure the positive and negative contacts pass through the holes. Seal the holes with caulk. This will prevent the water from evaporating.
The loose porous foam will allow water to pass through while also preventing the copper wire from coming in contact with the metal electrode. If this happens, your DIY battery will not work.
How it works:
As the metal corrodes, it produces energy. Attaching a device to the positive and negative ends of the DIY battery will allow it to harness the power produced, which is around 1.5 volts and 20mAh to 100mAh. You may be tempted to add electrolyte to increase the amperage. Doing so will increase power but also hasten the life expectancy of your DIY battery.
If you make eight of these contraptions, you will get a total of 12 volts of direct current. Attach this to a deep cycle battery and you get around 1.2 watts of energy for one whole day. After nine months, disassemble and clean the DIY battery by scraping or sanding off the corrosion build-up on the copper wire and magnesium rod. Simply put it back together and enjoy your free energy.
This DIY battery is expected to last for around a year. Some believe it can still produce energy well above that figure. This invention is fairly new so the actual length of time it will keep producing energy is yet to be fully determined. If you have tried making this DIY battery before or plan to build one, tell us about your experience so others can learn more.
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