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 Forward by our Managing Director Jonathan Evelight |
Welcome
to Rainbow Trading Posts DIY Plans & Guides Publications We are constantly looking out for new "how to..." solutions. If you've tried something that works, saves energy or resources - we will publish with you and turn it into a useful "How to..."! |
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About Rainbow Trading ... We are a co-operative, not-for-profit business based on the Isle of Wight, Southern England and at our European Centre in Portugal. We aim to promote resources for people that benefits the planet. It's a lifestyle for us, and it's about sharing skills not so much "ownership" as taking care of the planet whilst living creatively. Please find listed below a complete listing and description of each of the DIY Plans and Guides we currently publish via Atlantean-Arts.co.uk, originally published by Jemmett Engineering. |
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All
orders and enquires for Plans & Guides to be directed to "RTPlans"
Email:-info@DIY PLANS & GUIDES Please note:- Due to a company restructuring Rainbow Trading Post have now licenced Atlantean-Arts.co.uk to produce all their Plan/Guides and associated C.D's, Publications and promotional material on their behalf. Due to this company departmental restructuring please make your cheques out to Atlantean-Arts.co.uk and send your Publcations orders, with payment to:- Atlantean-Arts.co.uk 35 Grenville Drive, Haylands, Ryde Isle of Wight, PO33 3JW Please also ensure that you make your cheques out to "atlantean-arts.co.uk" and please be sure to add 41pence to the total of each publication you want, to cover postage and packing costs. If you are ordering from other countries Please refer to the information on our orderform page for post etc. We will need a sterling cheque, if this is difficult paper currency will suffice as we have problems in UK bank with foreign cheques. To order, please click here to be taken to our Publications Orderform Page, print it out and fill in the details and post it, together with your remittance to the address above, and we will process your orders as soon as possible. |
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JEPH1.
PORTABLE MAINS GENERATOR Very successful low cost design using a lawn mower engine and specially modified car dynamo which is converted into a 240V alternator in a most ingenious way. The very detailed construction manual gives all the information required to build this useful portable generator which can produce 300-600 watts. Construction details for two generators are given. A battery excited version which is low cost but requires a 12V battery to supply the alternator field current, and an electronic control version using a simple transistor control unit to supply the alternator field current and stabilise the output voltage Price: £3.70p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.11p |
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JEPH2.
PORTABLE 240V GENERATOR Car alternators are unsuitable for AC generators, but can be used to construct very useful 240V DC generators suitable for running lighting and power tools. This detailed manual gives full details of how to build a low cost portable generator using a small engine and modified car alternator. For greater power, two+alternators can be run in parallel. Price: £3.10p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.51p |
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JEPH3.
PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGING Using a small engine and a car alternator, an excellent low cost 12V/24V battery charging generator can be built. Charging current is up to 40 amps or more depending upon the size of engine and alternator used. Three versions are detailed for construction. The first is for a voltage regulated 12V charger suitable for supplying a 12V electrical system such as those found in boats and caravans that are supplied from 12V batteries. The charger will also trickle charge the battery. Secondly a non regulated 12V charger suitable for fast/medium 12V charging and thirdly a non regulated 12/24V charger capable of charging 12V and 24V batteries. Price: £2.70p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.11p |
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JEPH4. PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGING GENERATOR 12V OUTPUT This manual gives details of how to construct a 12V battery charging generator using a lawn mower engine and a car dynamo. The generator is very simple to build and will charge at up to 20 amps. This plan is similar to plan number 3 but uses a dynamo instead of an alternator. Two designs are given a voltage regulated 12V charger and a non-regulated 12V charger. Price: £2.50p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.91p |
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JEPH5. LOW COST DC WELDING GENERATOR USING CAR DYNAMOS Car dynamos make excellent low cost DC welding generators which are suitable for car body repairs and general welding. This manual gives full details of how to select dynamos, wire them up for welding and the welding current to be expected from different models. Constructional details included are for a 70 amp portable petrol generator welder and a 140 amp version using two dynamos. Price: £2.70p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.11p |
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JEPH6. BOOST BATTERY CHARGER AND WELDING GENERATOR USING CAR ALTERNATORS With simple wiring alternations a car alternator can be converted into a versatile generator, which when driven by a suitable engine will give a wide range of voltages. Uses include battery charging at 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V, boost charging at 12V or 24V, welding and even running 110V lighting and power tools. Price: £2.80p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.21p |
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JEPH7. SMALL WIND GENERATOR - SAVONIUS TYPE 5 WATT 12V DC This easy to construct vertical axis design provides a good introduction to the subject. Power output is sufficient to trickle charge a 12V car battery up to 0.4A and should be of interest to boat and caravan owners. This plan uses a Sturmy Archer Dynohub, which is no longer available new. However, it should still be possible to find them second hand from a scrap merchant or bicycle repair shop. Price: £3.20p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.61p |
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JEPH8.
PORTABLE WIND GENERATOR 5W 12V DC This excellent detailed design has a fully professional appearance and performs similar to wind chargers costing £120 or more. It uses a bicycle generator which is driven by a six bladed aluminium propeller with a 22 inch diameter. It is easily dismantled for storage and should be suitable for use with caravans and boats. This plan uses a Sturmy Archer Dynohub, which is no longer available new. However, it should still be possible to find them second hand from a scrap merchant or a bicycle repair shop. Price: £3.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.71p |
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JEPH9. WIND GENERATOR 12 WATT 12V DC This unique design has an excellent performance. It uses a Lucas alternator which is modified to run at low speeds and is directly driven by a two bladed wood propeller with a diameter of 5 feet. The very detailed manual gives full details of construction. Maximum charging current is 10 amps into a 12V battery. Construction details include rewinding the alternator, building the wind generator frame, making the propeller, building the tower and building the control box. Price: £3.80p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.21p |
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JEPH10. WIND GENERATOR - SAVONIUS TYPE 200 WATT 12V DC The Savonius vertical axis windmill although less efficient than a conventional design does not require to be headed into the wind. This manual gives basic details of how to construct a wind generator using oil drums and a car alternator or dynamo which will give up to 200 watts battery charging. The plan includes details of gearing that can be used, together with regulated and unregulated versions using dynamos and alternators. Price: £3.60p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.01p |
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JEPH11. WIND GENERATOR - CONVENTIONAL GEARED TYPE 300 WATT 12V DC With suitable efficient gearing, ordinary car alternators can be used for wind generators. These plans give the basic design of a 300 watt 12V wind generator using a Lucas alternator and a two bladed wood propeller of 7ft diameter. Although the performance will not be as good as a commercially available wind generator using a low speed alternator it should be possible to construct this design for less than half the price of the commercial one. Price: £4.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.71p |
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ALT1WGD. DARRIEUS WIND GENERATOR The Darius Wind Turbine was invented by the French Engineer G Darrieus in 1931. With a vertical shaft it does not require heading into the wind. This plan shows you how to construct a machine from commonly available parts to produce a generator capable of producing 3000 watts. The plan is easy to understand and well illustrated and includes a full parts listing. This generator is particularly suitable for moderately windy sites. A really excellent design. Price: £4.00p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.41p |
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JEELEK4. LOW COST WIND GENERATOR BATTERY CHARGER Small wind powered generators are useful devices for people dependent on battery power, such as caravanners and yachtsmen. Commercial products are expensive. The smallest models cost over £250. A generator giving up to 30 watts output can be made using a permanent magnet radiator fan motor, DC converter, described here, costing less than £25, and an 800mm diameter wooden propeller. Price: £4.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.71p |
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JEPH12. CAR ALTERNATOR PERMANENT MAGNETIC CONVERSION To get good low speed wind performance with a wind generator, it is essential to use a permanent magnet alternator. These are not readily available and so these plans give details of how to convert a small Lucas 17ACR alternator into 40W alternator. This conversion requires lathe and welding equipment. Price: £2.80p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.21p |
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JEPH13. RUN 3 PHASE MOTORS ON SINGLE PHASE MAINS Three phase induction motors up to about 2 hp can be run from single phase mains by means of a simple capacitor phase shifting circuit. Approximately 90% normal power is produced. Price: £2.40p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.81p |
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JEPH14. ELECTRIC BICYCLE CONVERSION An ordinary bicycle can be converted to to electric propulsion using a suitable 12V DC motor such as a C5 motor (available from several sources) or a battery lawn mower motor. Typical range will be 15 to 20 miles on one charge. This simple plan lists all parts required, assembly procedure and operating procedure with diagrams. Price: £1.70p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.11p |
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NEW - ELECTRIC BIKE CONVERSION Supplement. RT1. HOW TO BUILD A CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE CYCLE GENERATOR 50-100W FOR UNDER £50 An additional
source of excellent instructions for adapting a standard car alternator
for use as a generator. Price: £1.50p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £1.91p |
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ALTEVC2 - ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONVERSION PLANS This plan gives details of the pros and cons of electric vehicles with information on converting such cars as a Mini, Fiat, 128, Toyota 1200, Honda Civic 1300 and VW Beetle. The plan covers motor selection, gearbox ratios, battery selection, installation, control systems and charging. Price: £3.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.71p |
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JEPH15. TRANSISTOR FLOURESCENT LIGHT INVERTER 40W TO 85W This compact high frequency transistor inverter will run standard flourescent strip lights from 4fft (40W) to 8ft (85W) from a 12V car battery. This unit is ideal for boat, caravan, lock-up garage and emergency lighting applications. Price: £2.40p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.81p |
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JEPH16. TRANSISTOR POWER INVERTER 12V OR 24V INPUT, 240V 50HZ OUTPUT This square wave transistor inverter design will produce 240V 50HZ AC power from a 12V car battery, or 24V (two batteries). The power depends upon the size of transformer and transistors used, but is typically 150-500W from 12V DC and 300-1000W from 24V DC. The unit runs at about 80% efficiency which is excellent and better than many commercially available inverters. The comprehensive manual gives details on building 5 sizes from 150-1000W power output which should be particularly suitable for installation in boats, caravans and vehicles. Price: £4.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.71p |
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JEELEK1. 12V DC-TO-240V AC TRAPEZOIDAL INVERTER This detailed plan shows you how to construct a professional 600VA inverter. The output voltage has a trapezoidal waveform. This is near enough to a sine wave to enable standard domestic appliances to operate from the inverter and, moreover, it does not appreciably add to the cost or size of the unit. Efficiency and control action from no load to full load are excellent. Very well illustrated with parts list and PCB layout. Price: £4.50p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.91p |
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JEPH17. ELECTRONIC BATTERY CHARGER - 12V 5-10 AMPS Simple car
battery chargers have the disadvantage that they carry on charging
even after the battery is fully charged which can reduce the life
of the battery. One solution is to use an electronic battery charger
with thyristor control which can give a stabilised DC voltage to
ensure correct charging. This plan gives the design for a fully
automatic battery charger capable of charging up to 10 amps that
can be left charging the battery without risk of over charging. Price: £1.60p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.01p |
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JEELEK2. UPGRADE YOUR CAR BATTERY CHARGER Many car battery chargers costing no more than £12-£15 are pretty spartan devices. Car owners should beware of using such chargers which offer no protection whatsoever. This plan describes a simple upgrade circuit that adds voltage and current limiting, and polarity reversing protection, to such inexpensive chargers. Well illustrated with component list and PCB layout. Price: £2.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.71p |
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JEPH18. 200 WATT SINE WAVE INVERTER Sine wave transistor
inverters are both more expensive and more difficult to build than
square wave units. These plans give circuit details of a sine wave
inverter with 12V or 24V versions. An oscilloscope is required for
setting up the inverter. This plan should only be attempted by the
experienced constructor. |
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JEPH19. 1000/24V SINE WAVE INVERTER An advanced sine wave transistor design using a pulse width modification technique for maximum efficiency . Specific component values are given for a 1000W/24V model, but other sizes can be constructed. This design should only be attempted by the experienced constructor with an oscilloscope. Price: £2.70p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.11p |
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JEPH20. 5 CWT HYDRAULIC ENGINE CRANE A small but useful hydraulic crane can be built using a suitable hydraulic jack. The crane is able to fold for storage and can be constructed for a fraction of the cost of a ready built engine crane. Construction requires welding. Price: £2.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.71p |
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JEREB22. ARC-STOP When using electric arc welding the welding rod often "sticks" to the metal. It can be removed by moving from side to side and pulling. However there is a chance that as the rod is removed away it will strike nearby metal. This is a particular problem when working under a car. The Arc-stop unit cuts of the power to the rod using a small low voltage switch attached to either the rod or face mask and therefore stops the rod from arcing. It can be used with most electric arc welding units. Price: £1.50p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £1.91p |
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ALT2SEG. RECIPROCATING STEAM ENGINE PLANS This plan shows you how to build a stram engine capable of powering a 1KW alternator. It includes a full description of the construction of all the sections of the plant. The engine has a flash type boiler which is best suited to wood burning. The single cylinder, double acting engine is able to be made by the average handyman with reasonable skills. A good plan for producing power if you have a readily available source of wood. Price: £3.95p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.36p |
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ALTMPS1. METHANE PRODUCTION SYSTEM This plan covers both the simple Batch Type Digester and the larger Continuous Output Digester. Construction of both digesters as well as the theory is covered is covered in the plan. Few special parts are required ... The digesters are fuelled by some raw organic material. Price: £3.90p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £4.31p |
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JESUN23. SUN TRACKING CIRCUIT DESIGN This plan consist of a circuit suitable for the first stages of a photovoltaic sun tracking device. The circuit was developed for the operation of small model motors - but it should be possible to use the outputs to drive another unit for the control of larger motors. Good for experimenters who would like to build a robotic sun tracker and improve the output from their solar panels. The circuit is capable of controlling two motors and therefore could be used for both horizontal and vertical control. Price: £2.30p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £2.71p |
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Additional How to's RT2
- RAINWATER TOILET FLUSH |
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JEELEK3. WATER PUMP CONTROL FOR SOLAR POWER SYSTEM In most small solar power systems using a boiler it is required that the water circulation pump is not switched on until the temperature of the collector (solar panel) exceeds that of the water in the vessel. This plan describes a two sensor monitor that enables this condition to be met. Circuit diagram, component list and PCB layout, etc. Price: £2.80p + 41p to cover postage and packing = £3.21p |
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Two
Solar Plans from Keysolar Systems (1) SOLAR RADIO - How to modify radio receivers to run using solar energy. Do not attempt
to work on any appliance which is or can be connected to Mains Voltage,
unless you know what you are doing or are supervised by someone
who does. |
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(2)
SOLAR BATTERY CHARGER - Simple
battery charger for Ni-Cad cells. Kits are available from Rainbow Solar Trading, or from Keysolar Systems. |
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FORTHCOMING
PLAN GUIDES CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION. RT3 - PASSIVE SOLAR SPACE HEATING UNIT A great way to supplement your main heating system This solar space heating panel is effective when the sun shines and is ideal for workshops, out buildings and homes! It will supplement your main heating system. Do not rely on it for your main heating source. Suitable for mounting on wood or brick outer south facing walls. Provides a source of effective ambient heating. Price: Yet to be confirmed. |
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Titles available from various sources NEW SCIENCE Experimenter's
Guide to the Joe Fuel Cell, This manual describes the "Joe" fuel cell, its design and ratios, the parts to use and how to assemble them. It discusses water type, how to charge the water and connect the cell to a car engine. The Joe Cell seems to be a revolution in the waiting. (202 pages). Price: £29.00p + £3.00p to cover postage and packing = £32.00p |
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PLACING
AN ORDER:- Please ensure that you make your cheques
out to "atlantean-arts.co.uk" and please be sure to add
41pence to the total of each publication you want, to cover postage
and packing costs. If you are ordering from other countries Please
add 15% of the cost of the plans for post etc. We will need a sterling
cheque, if this is difficult paper currency will suffice as we have
problems in UK bank with foreign cheques. To order, please click here to be taken to our Publications Orderform Page, print it out and fill in the details and post it, together with your remittance to the address above, and we will process your orders as soon as possible. |
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Rainbow Solar Trading 2003, All rights reserved
Publications & Graphics Department, Atlantean-Arts.co.uk, 35 Grenville Drive, Haylands, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 3JW, England, U.K. Telephone: +44 (0) 1983 614957 Email:info@atlantean-arts.co.uk Website: www.rainbowtradingpost.co.uk |
