Design and construction of a galvanic water battery as a low cost power alternative for rural lighting.

Abstract

A reliable light energy system is a basic need for every man’s welfare in the rural areas. Available energy sources are unaffordable and unreliable for the people in rural areas for instance hydropower electricity and the solar lighting systems. Hence making rural people resort to local harmful means. The purpose of the study was to develop a low power cost galvanic water powered battery to enhance lighting and charging of phones in the rural areas to enhance a good life in the rural areas. The study objectives were to design the components of the galvanic water battery, construct a prototype, test for the performance of the prototype and carry out an economic evaluation of the lighting system. These were done and achieved by using the knowledge of engineering drawing to come up with the sketches of the drawings for the design. Measurements were done using ruler and tape measure to come up with the required material sizes and dimensions from which the construction was done and they included joining through gluing and tightening of the wires The study was limited to designing, constructing, testing for the performance, and economic evaluation of galvanic water battery. The tests carried out were voltage test, current test and the on load test for the lighting and charging system. Results for testing were tabulated for different times interval in minutes to evaluate the performance of the galvanic battery. Discussion, conclusion and recommendations were derived from the testing results and finally an economic analysis of the system. This technology has implication on the recovery of the power crisis in rural and remote areas where the national electricity supply is inaccessible. This approach is also convenient for portable use of electricity in household purposes.