4 ms·

Based on the video posted below by coob ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOuj_feM2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOuj_feM2s) it looks like it utilizes a w

Based on the video posted below by coob ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOuj_feM2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vOuj_feM2s) it looks like it utilizes a well known re-active element ( Zinc-Oxide) to generate electricity. http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/batteries/batteries.html http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/batteries/batterie... So the real question is, how long does it take for the Zinc Oxide to be depleted, how much does it cost to replace, and how hard is it to replace?

callahad 12y ago
From the landing page: "Using SALt lamp 8 hours a day every day will give you an anode lifespan of 6 months."
- sbierwagen 12y ago
  Okay, with a pair of big electrode plates, retail cost will be, what, $200?
  - mbrubeck 12y ago
    You can get a 12" square sheet of zinc for under US$10 and make a couple dozen anodes from it. Copper cathodes will be a bit more expensive, but the total electrode cost should still be only a few dollars for several months worth of light.
    - sbierwagen 12y ago
      The electrodes are going to have to be pretty thick, chunky grids to last six months, not thin sheets, and retail price is typically a 100% markup over BOM cost.
    - Elrac 12y ago
      Or the cathode is carbon. Then (IIRC) it wouldn't wear out or need replacing.
      - sbierwagen 12y ago
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_cell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_cell The has energy come from somewhere. In an electrochemical battery, it comes from chemical reactions with the electrodes, which consume the electrode material.
        VLM 12y ago
        Its basically one of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc%E2%80%93carbon_battery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc%E2%80%93carbon_battery The carbon rod never corrodes. If you want to be picky its more of a zinc-manganese battery with a carbon rod as a non-corrosive wire but whatever.
        Elrac 12y ago
        As VLM explains a bit better, I was talking about only one of the two electrodes. The other one, the anode, would of course be made from zinc (or some other metal) and end up breaking down to provide that energy. I was just explaining why the battery might not need two electrodes breaking down.
schiffern 12y ago
>So the real question is, how long does it take for the Zinc Oxide to be depleted, how much does it cost to replace, and how hard is it to replace? …and don't forget "how poisonous is the stuff you're dumping out?" (straight into the environment, your water/food source)

callahad 12y ago

From the landing page: "Using SALt lamp 8 hours a day every day will give you an anode lifespan of 6 months."

sbierwagen 12y ago
Okay, with a pair of big electrode plates, retail cost will be, what, $200?
- mbrubeck 12y ago
  You can get a 12" square sheet of zinc for under US$10 and make a couple dozen anodes from it. Copper cathodes will be a bit more expensive, but the total electrode cost should still be only a few dollars for several months worth of light.
  - sbierwagen 12y ago
    The electrodes are going to have to be pretty thick, chunky grids to last six months, not thin sheets, and retail price is typically a 100% markup over BOM cost.
  - Elrac 12y ago
    Or the cathode is carbon. Then (IIRC) it wouldn't wear out or need replacing.
    - sbierwagen 12y ago
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_cell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_cell The has energy come from somewhere. In an electrochemical battery, it comes from chemical reactions with the electrodes, which consume the electrode material.
      - VLM 12y ago
        Its basically one of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc%E2%80%93carbon_battery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc%E2%80%93carbon_battery The carbon rod never corrodes. If you want to be picky its more of a zinc-manganese battery with a carbon rod as a non-corrosive wire but whatever.
      - Elrac 12y ago
        As VLM explains a bit better, I was talking about only one of the two electrodes. The other one, the anode, would of course be made from zinc (or some other metal) and end up breaking down to provide that energy. I was just explaining why the battery might not need two electrodes breaking down.

schiffern 12y ago

>So the real question is, how long does it take for the Zinc Oxide to be depleted, how much does it cost to replace, and how hard is it to replace? …and don't forget "how poisonous is the stuff you're dumping out?" (straight into the environment, your water/food source)