Pinwheel and old VCR used to make wind-powered LED

Now that Blu-ray has emerged as the lone HDM victor, that aging VCR is likely looking for a new home (if it wasn't already). Thankfully, we've found the perfect excuse to rip it wide open versus hauling it off to the local thrift store. In one of the more elaborate how-to guides that we've seen, Charles Palen explains how to create a wind-powered LED by using scrap parts within a VCR, one your youngster's pinwheels and a varied array of power tools, wiring and calm nerves. Notably, an unwanted CD-ROM drive can be used if you're dead set on watching those Disney classics on VHS one last time, but regardless of which apparatus you destroy, be sure and hit the read link for the step-by-step.

[Via instructables]

[PhilxBefore @ Mar 25th 2008 6:58PM]

I have nothing to say.

[DeathRider @ Mar 25th 2008 7:02PM]

The irony is staggering.

[PhilxBefore @ Mar 25th 2008 7:07PM]

As is your sarcasm. ;)

[CraigJ @ Mar 25th 2008 9:00PM]

Are you 12?

[Bob @ Mar 25th 2008 9:19PM]

I am! (plus 13...)

[nh @ Mar 27th 2008 10:04AM]

Are you one of the people who call in to TV shows to make sure your 'No opinion' vote is correctly logged?

[James @ Mar 25th 2008 7:25PM]

What a great day and age it is to be living in.

[Yor1001 @ Mar 25th 2008 7:27PM]

This thing called the vcr intrigues me, where could I find such a device.

[Abuzar @ Mar 25th 2008 8:01PM]

There is his strange realm outside our house. I think that's where the pizza man is from. Legend has it, that they have these things called garage sales, where they sell magical items such as VCRs.

[andres @ Mar 26th 2008 12:52AM]

do they also sell hd-dvd players?

[Abuzar @ Mar 26th 2008 1:58PM]

Those aren't magical anymore. Just like Betamax players...

[Fed @ Mar 25th 2008 7:32PM]

Imagine if people put this much effort into something ...you know useful.

[bi0hazard @ Mar 25th 2008 7:53PM]

are you implying that this is useless? if he had enough pinwheels and VCRs, he might be able to make a wind powered lightbulb or even better, a wind powered Blu-ray player!

[Adam @ Mar 25th 2008 7:55PM]

With this much effort, they could have built an LED Flashlight with a button...

It's not like his 'amount' of effort could have changed the world!

[ayan4m1 @ Mar 25th 2008 8:01PM]

Slow news day?

[Brassen @ Mar 25th 2008 8:20PM]

what?

[For2itous @ Mar 25th 2008 8:36PM]

This will be perfect to power my new LG FleshPhone (see article below)... It gets goosebumps just thinking of it--

[Truegod @ Mar 25th 2008 8:57PM]

Great idea but I have a couple of suggestions. I'm no electrician, but putting a resistor between the motor and LED will keep the LED from burning out prematurely. Like a 180 - 270 Ohm 1/8 watt resistor. Also WD-40 is a bad lubricant. Lubrication is not it's intended purpose (it's a rust remover) and it will actually destroy any lube already on the gears and motor. Just go and pick up any spay lubricant...

[nh @ Mar 27th 2008 10:10AM]

What are you talking about? It's a great lubricant in lightweight applications.

http://wd40.com/Uses lists hundreds of lubrication uses. Rust removal crops up far less frequently...

[Rob @ Mar 25th 2008 9:00PM]

Why people must make silly comments about a technology that may not be in high demand, but still being used in millions of households world wide? I haven't used a VCR to watch movies in almost 5 years. But, I still keep one for when I need to transfer to a stand alone DVD recorder, or my PC for editing. I would not buy anything on VHS anymore. Unless, of course, is something that will never see the light of the digital age if it was up to the content owners. But, there's no need to make nasty comments about the VCR. Same goes for HD-DVD. I actually decided to buy HD-DVD titles, and player, after Toshiba threw in the towel. Why not? The players and movies are cheap. So, if I can transfer a VHS movie onto a DVD disc, why wouldn't I be able to transfer that HD-DVD movie onto another medium in the years to come.

I think people should enjoy what they have and stop being petty.

[Justin @ Mar 25th 2008 11:50PM]

QQ

[fuhreralmighty @ Mar 26th 2008 6:25AM]

Meh

[Ty @ Mar 26th 2008 9:10AM]

Wow, I'm getting old. I remember when a vcr cost hundreds.

[Eric @ Mar 26th 2008 9:26AM]

What is a VCR?

[mossface @ Mar 26th 2008 9:28AM]

ruff

[michael @ Mar 27th 2008 5:37AM]

Interesting