Generator Hacked to Power iPod with Steam (Video)

This is a pretty cool hack. A gadgeteer figured out a way to power his iPod with steam. It's a whole lot of effort, rather than just grabbing one of the gazillion solar chargers out there, but makes for a neat project. Check out a video of the generator in action after the jump.

Thomas writes:I coupled a Lego Technic Motor to a Jensen #75 steam engine to make a crude generator. From there I built a 5V regulator circuit and soldered in a female USB connection to power any USB device. Since I wanted to use it to charge my iPod, I put in a diode and a .5 amp fuse to provide some circuit protection...Unfortunately you can't see the charge light on the ipod, But as you can hear, the iPod really loads the engine. I was somewhat surprise it could hack it.

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