Furst, John-Nicholas

Experimental Study on the Efficiency of Harvesting Power

from Rain Gutter Downspouts.

Purpose / Justification

The goal of this study is to determine if producing energy

from rain gutter downspouts is a viable alternative renewable
energy source. Since rain water has been used for years as a
power source in hydroelectric dams, it is anticipated that
harvesting power from rain in household gutters will be a
viable smaller scale power source.

Methods

• Cut the Styrofoam cylinder to a depth of 2.7in. This will

be the water wheel, which will be turned as water runs
through the downspout.

• Install the screen to limit the flow of the water 5 inches

from the top of the gutter downspout apparatus. To do
this drill 4 ¼ in. holes 5 inches from the top of the gutter
and bolt on an L bracket in each hole to support the
screen with the ¼ inch bolts and nuts. Use the ¼ in.
wrench’s to secure the bolts and nuts.

• Shave 8 equidistant dents into the cylinder with scissors

and an exacto knife, each being 45 degrees.

• Drill a ¼ inch hole through the center of the cylinder for

the shaft of the dynamo.

• Drill a ¼ inch hole through the side of the downspout 5

inches from the bottom of the downspout.
 • Place the cylinder into the downspout so that the center
hole is aligned with the hole drilled in the side of the
downspout and the groves for the water to hit are facing
up towards the sky.

• Place shaft of the dynamo through center of cylinder.

• Hot glue dynamo shaft to cylinder.

• Allow the hot glue to cool and set for 10 minutes

• Attach volt meter to leads of 12v. dynamo

• Place collection bucket at the bottom of the downspout

• Perform the first test by pouring 1 gallon of drinking

water down the downspout.

• Record output voltages from the voltmeter.

• Reuse the water from the collection bucket to conserve

resources.

• Perform and record the first test again 9 times to check

for consistent results.

• Perform the second test of 2 gallons of drinking water

again ten times while recording output voltages.

• Perform the third test of 3 gallons of drinking water

again ten times while recording output voltages.

• Perform the fourth test of 4 gallons of drinking water

again ten times while recording output voltages.

List of Materials

Materials I am providing:
 • Rain gutter 10 ft. downspout apparatus

• 12v. Dynamo

• 2, ¼ in. wrench’s.

• 4, ¼ in. regular bolts and nuts.

• 3 in. x 5 in. Fine metal screen covered with construction

paper with a 1.5 in. diameter hole cut through the center
of the screen.

• Hot glue gun & glue

• Scissors

• 4, 1.5 inch aluminum L shaped brackets

• Exacto Knife

• Tin snips

• Drill

• 4 Gallon bucket

• Ruler

• Wiring

• Water Measuring Instruments

• 2.4 in. radius Styrofoam cylinder for water wheel

• Voltmeter

• 10 Gallons of Drinking Water

Timeline
 • Build downspout apparatus –Nov 3.

• Build water wheel – Nov 10.

• Attach dynamo to water wheel – Nov 17.

• Test – Nov 24

Data Sheet

1 Gallon of Drinking Water

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Volt
s

2 Gallons of Drinking Water

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Volt
s

3 Gallons of Drinking Water

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Volt
s

4 Gallons of Drinking Water

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Volt
s