Water-Powered Clock
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 01.11.06
Okay so a year after our post about the water-powered calculator we still don’t know how these things actually work, but that’s why we’re writing about them instead of inventing them. This water-powered clock displays the date and time by simply filling the back with liquid and apparently it doesn’t need to be refilled for weeks at a time. The liquid reservoir is even large enough to hold a couple of flowers to brighten up your room. We have to say we’re pretty excited to try it out ourselves. A great gift at $12.99 and batteries, of course, aren’t included. Ha ha. Via ::Hippy Shopper
Very cool, I like that! But does it need fair-trade water to run properly? ;-)
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
The water isn't the energy source and it does, indeed, have a battery. The difference in electrode potentials of the anode and the cathode which are inserted into the water produce the electricity. Since the calculator and clock draw so little current, you don't have to worry about ever replacing the battery though, just refilling the water.
Here's an image of the battery, btw:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/additional/large/water_powered_calculator_batteru.jpg
My girlfriend just bought me one of these over the holidays, I'm excited to see that it got some attention on your blog. It really works :) And making it do double duty as a vase is not a bad idea...
It turns out that these are not as efficient or sustainable as the name would imply. Eventually you'll be left with a fancy vase (says Rzrseg)
Not like one of these water powered clocks:
alt="[Early water clock]">
love it. does it have an alarm?
My son had a potty that worked on the same principal years ago. Pee (or poop) in the receptacle, the liquid (or semi-solid) forms a connection across two little metal points, and music plays! It worked to get him potty-trained! :)