View source for Energy Harvester (Buck-Boost)

== Energy Harvester ==
The Energy Harvester is a kit designed to allow you to use harvest power from any power sources including lemons and thermal energy to power useful things, cell phones, USB chargers, etc.

== The Design ==
The design originally started as a lab to teach engineering freshmen about DC-DC converters. Eventually the requirements lead it to be a full buck boost regulator.

Requirements:

Simulations:

Schematic and PCB Layout:

Ordering Parts:

Testing:

== Assembling the Circuit ==
The circuit assembles easily. For those without soldering equipment it can also be purchased fully assembled.

== Using it ==

'''Acceptable Power Sources:'''

'''Boost:'''

-dead batteries

-under voltage batteries (AA)

-chemistry cell

-thermal electric

-solar cell (single cell or multiple cells in parallel)

-organic mold

'''Buck:'''

-6V lantern battery

-12V SLA (motorcycle, car battery)

-solar cell (3+ cells in series)

-18V cordless tool battery

'''Buck Boost:'''

-dynamo Lego hand crank

-Wind turbine, 9v dc motor, and propeller

-steam generator

== Teaching using the Energy Harvester ==
'''Quiz (15min)'''

'''Intro:'''

Gunter MacGyver Video (5 min)

*video of georgi stranded and opening his truck to find multiple power sources and the energy harvester

Energy Harvester Explained (that inside is a boost and a buck)

Gunter MacGyver using the device calling for help

'''Concept/Overview:'''

Boost concept explain in detail

Buck concept explained in detail

Buck-boost concept explained in detail

'''Part 1 of lab:'''

Students use AA to power plasma ball – fail

Students use Elvis to characterize AAs and plasma ball

Students pick a topology (boost)

Ta gives them a boost

Students use AA and boost to successfully power plasma ball

Students return material

'''Part 2 of lab:'''

Students use car Battery to power LED – controlled destructive fail

Students use elvis to characterize car battery and led

Students pick a topology (buck)

Ta gives them a buck

Students us car battery and boost successfully to power led

Students return material

'''Part 3 of Lab:'''

After that destructive failure students skip just trying it and use science first

Students use Elvis to characterize hand crank dynamo.

Students notice the wide input range and pick a topology (buck-boost)

Students must also add D+/D- line modifications.

Students use buck boost and hand crank to charge a dead mp3 player to life

'''Part 4 of Lab:'''

Students test that all these devices work

Students get the tools to modify this to be a generic USB charger

*Boost get AA battery holder

*Bucks get a 12V car outlet plug

Test and Enjoy

'''Part 4 (Alt) of Lab:'''

Students are given an unknown device and must modify it in order to save their grade. This will be a competition 
where cunning, speed and diligence will win.

== References ==

http://www.maxim-ic.com/app-notes/index.mvp/id/660