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H2O Power radio runs on water from the shower

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The H2O Power radio generates its own operating power via the force of the running water from your shower
The H2O Power radio generates its own operating power via the force of the running water from your shower
The H2O Power radio generates its own operating power via the force of the running water from your shower
The H2O Power radio generates its own operating power via the force of the running water from your shower
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For all the people out there who like listening to the radio while they're in the shower, various companies offer waterproof battery-operated "shower radios." There's nothing particularly wrong with these radios, but ... why change or recharge the batteries if you don't have to? No, we're not suggesting running a power cord into the shower. Instead, you might be interested in getting an H2O Power water-powered radio.

The H2O is intended for showers where an external hose runs from the taps up to the head, and screws into place between the taps and the hose. If your shower is the type where the taps and the head just stick out of the wall, it's not clear whether or not the radio could be installed – presumably the shower head could be attached directly to it, although the radio controls might be hard to reach in that location.

Power is generated by the force of the running water, which flows through the otherwise-waterproof radio and spins a micro turbine inside of it. You can even keep listening to it while you're toweling off, without leaving the shower going, as an integrated Ni-Mh rechargeable battery stores and releases excess power generated by the water.

The H2O Power radio generates its own operating power via the force of the running water from your shower

H2O also makes devices such as calculators and clocks that are powered by the chemical reaction between water and a dash of lemon juice. Using the radio's micro turbine technology, the company is also working on a product called the Showerindicator. The water- and power-saving device uses water pressure power to illuminate an LED light, which changes color once it's time to get out of the shower.

A list of retailers for the radio is available on the H2O Power radio website. It's on sale as of this month, for a suggested retail price of GBP 34.99 (about US$56).

Via InventorSpot

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6 comments
Facebook User
Clever idea a micro turbine...
Paul Anthony
I want access to the micro turbine. 20 years ago I helped my neighbor design a generator that was powered by a pump in reverse. Rather than spinning the pump using power to create water movement, we created power using water movement. It was used to power a remote irragation system. Would have been nice to just buy it off of the shelf.
Facebook User
The shower turbine might be as well applied to the use of kitchen tapwater, or the watering of the lawn. The lawn idea has possibilities.... Use to charge a battery by using both sides of an alternating current alternator, and use the battery for any dc purpose, including radio and communications.
emptymag
Wait a minute! That\'s NOT free energy. We pay to have that water pumped to us. If we all tap into that pressure they\'ll have to install bigger pumps. Then they increase the bill. Come on! Think this through! This is WRONG.
Prateek Jain
This technology was various applications.. we have water running in pipes everywhere. In high rise buildings, where water is at a good height, we can have these turbines attached to the pipelines!
Paul Anthony
@emptymag,
It is my understanding that the water gets pumped up to a tower where from there Gravity feeds it to the users pipes. If this is the case then it should not change the Power used, and in fact is recovering the wasted power. Am I missing something here?