By Kim Sarah | Updated Mar 24, 2022
A generator converts mechanical energy into electricity by inducing a magnetic change in a coil of wire. With just a few household items, you can build a simple generator that powers small devices during outages or for DIY projects.
Insert a felt‑tip pen into the pen holder of a compass. Tighten the screw clockwise to secure the pen.
Using the compass, draw a 2‑inch diameter circle on a sheet of cardboard. Cut out the circle with scissors. Repeat to make a second circle.
Place a pencil in the center of one circle and slide the cardboard down until it stops about 1 inch above the eraser.
Wrap three to four layers of insulated tape around the pencil between the cardboard and the eraser to hold the circle in place.
Wrap another 3–4 inches of tape around the pencil approximately 2 inches from the tip.
Thread the pencil through the second cardboard circle and slide it until the circle rests on the tape 2 inches from the tip.
Secure the second circle with tape. Wrap an additional 3–4 layers of tape over the pencil above this circle, ensuring the tape touches the cardboard.
Insert the pencil through the center hole of a spool of enamel‑coated #28‑gauge copper wire.
Place the pencil and spool between your knees so the spool can spin freely.
Pull about 6 inches of wire from the spool and bend it at the midpoint toward the pencil.
Secure the bent portion to the pencil using the cardboard circles and insulated tape, positioning it just above the lower circle.
Wrap the wire around the pencil, starting at the lower circle and winding upward toward the upper circle. Each coil should rest directly on the previous one. Leave the free end of the wire exposed.
Continue winding another 6 inches of wire, then cut the spool at the 6‑inch mark with scissors or wire cutters.
