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We're fans of self-built technology with a retro-Victorian twist. See, for example, the Steampunk keyboard we highlighted a few months ago.
But this "Steam-powered" iPod charger takes the Garabaldi biscuit. At the heart of the system is a Lego Technic motor, apparently driven in turn by a system based on the Jensen #75 steam engine.
The inventor 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. Attached are some pictures of it and here are some links to videos of it in action. 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.Thanks to BoingBoing for this one, which is featured on Jake von Slatt's Steampunk Workshop, where you can see more photos.
Wikipedia's definition of Steampunk
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