Recycled Off-Grid Tesla CD Turbine Power-Boost Blender

The movie below shows successful at-home use of this Tesla CD Turbine Blender.

Recirculating Tesla CD Turbine with Air Turbo-Boost
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This instructable will show how to make an off-the-grid, Tesla turbine-powered blender made from many recycled parts.

It runs on a self-powered, re-circulating system from the forces of Earth(magnets), Wind(compressed air), Fire(solar) and Water(pressure)!

In tough times or times of disaster, we might need to make McGyver-like contraptions, with the things we have on hand, in order to survive...or to have fun!

Ok, let's say the electric grid power is out...you couldn't pay the bills, or there's some other disaster...but you wanna party anyways.
You need a blender for the party...
You could use a 12 volt battery, with a 120 volt inverter, and simply plug a regular blender into it as an easy solution.

But, hey, why not make a recycled Tesla CD Turbine Blender,
on a self-powered, re-circulating set-up?
With a cool foot-operated, air-powered, Power Boost function for tough blending chores!

From wikipedia , "A Tesla turbine consists of a set of smooth disks, with nozzles applying a moving gas to the edge of the disk".

The Tesla CD Turbine I make is made with recycled CD's, CD spindle case, supermagnets, a nozzle and glue. I have 3 previous instructables that deal with it's basic construction.

This powerful, magnetically-coupled Tesla CD Turbine Blender is different because it works "off the grid", and because it uses recirculated water pressure and air pressure...at the same time!

The way it works is that a solar panel charges a 12 volt battery, which powers a 12-volt air pump and a 12-volt bilge pump. The water pump sits in the recirculating bucket and makes water pressure for the turbine to run.

Compressed air is stored in a tank, which has an air line going the foot-operated valve. An air blast gives additional power and torque to the turbine when required, by way of the foot valve.

Can a Tesla CD Turbine, made of recycled CD's and glue, develop enough power from solar-powered air and water pressure, to perform as a portable blender??

The answer is a resounding "Yes!" (See movies following!)

Any turbine on air pressure can be dangerous. I have added a polycarbonate protective cover over the turbine for personal protection. Something similar is mandatory when using compressed air with the CD Turbine, because of the possibility of CD discs or case exploding at high rpm! (see my warnings in other instructables and movie below of explosion! )

Have fun and blend safely!

I always order from the best selection of neodymium super-magnets from K&J Magnetics here.

The following shows some preliminary testing of the concept of combining air and water pressures in the CD turbine at the same time.

. Tesla CD Turbine Experimental Test Combining Air and Water

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The following shows the possible result when excessive back-pressure, and an over-exuberent throttle foot, combine with such a funky, recycled, CD cakebox system! (Lesson learned: Don't turn on the air pressure too fast!!)



If movie doesn't play click here to see.

Here is my latest movie of a Science Fair display with the portable re-circulating system:

Parts Used for This Instructable


1 - Basic Tesla CD Turbine (see my previous instructable, "SinkScience with the Tesla CD Turbine" (About $50.00 to build)

1 - Magnetic Coupler from my previous instructable (Cost... about $20.00)

Order the BEST neodymium super-magnets here:
http://www.kjmagnetics.com/default.asp?PARTNER=mrfixitrick

Additional supplies and parts required for this instructable...

1 - Blender, from thrift shop, $1.00
1 - Protective shield (I used 1/8 inch x 6 inch polycarbonate tubing, 7 inches long)
1 - 12 volt Water Pump, (on hand, but generally about $50.00)
1 - 12 volt Battery, or series of batteries for 12-18 volts output at 5 amps.(on hand, or used $20.00)
1 - Solar Charging Panel, 12 volt (new, $30.00)
1 - Compressed Air Storage Tank ( on hand, or $30.00 new)
1 - 12 volt Air Compressor ( on hand...or $50.00 new)
1 - Garden Hose Foot Control shut-off valve (on sale, $6.99)
2 - short garden hoses (on hand)
2 - air hoses (came with tank)
1 - Y-connector for garden hose ($2.99)
- misc - air fittings: T-fitting, adapter to garden hose
- Pressure gage (optional)
- Tachometer (optional)

To build theTesla CD Turbine, there are 4 basic steps :

1.) Build the Magnetic CD Disc Pack.
You can order the BEST neodymium super-magnets from K&J Magnetics here.
2.) Glue a water Power Nozzle to the CD case cover.
3.) Drill 1/8 inch holes in the CD case spindle post and smooth it.
4.) Assemble and test turbine, then glue CD case cover to CD case spindle tray.

These steps are covered in detail in my previous instructable "SinkScience with the Tesla CD Turbine".

To build the magnetic coupler, see previous Instructable step 4.

You can order the BEST neodymium super-magnets from K&J Magnetics here.

Use a good grade glue such as Goop or polyurethane to hold the 6 1/2"x1/2" neodymium magnets to the discs, and position the magnets evenly. Be sure they are all one way (North down.)

Hot-glue the Magnetic Coupler to the blender shaft.
The blender sits on a bowl that has been cut out for the hoses. There is a 90 degree fitting under the turbine.

Make a Protective Cover (necessary when using the Tesla CD Turbine on compressed air pressure) by using a piece of 6 inch diameter x 1/8 inch wall thickness polycarbonate tubing, available at a good plastics store.

I used a 7 inch length, and I used a jigsaw to cut it to fit over the nozzle. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

The Protective Cover fits exactly over the CD spindle base! The blender was also an perfect fit in the cover after slicing off a tiny nib.

Prepare the recirculating bucket and pump by making two 1" holes in the bucket lid for the inlet and outlet hoses. Add a third small holes for the pump wires to go through.
Connect the outlet hose to the pump and place it in the bucket. Put the cover on afte feeding through the wires

Assemble the air tank and compressor by joining with appropriate air fittings.

You will need a T connection to join the compressor to the storage tank and to the line that goes to the foot valve. Connect the compressor to the battery to charge up the air tank. It's best to pre-charge the air tank from a bigger compressor or gas station so the little 12 volt compressor doesn't get initially overworked.

Since the foot valve uses garden hose fittings, a garden hose adapter is required from the air hose to it. A garden hose can be used from the foot valve to the turbine.

A garden hose Y-connector joins the compressed air and water pressure streams, just before they go into the nozzle of the turbine.

The solar panel is connected to the 12 volt battery with the enclosed clips, and keeps the battery topped up through the daytime sunlight. (works on cloudy days too!)

With all the hoses secured, it's time for testing. Turn on the pump in the recirculating bucket, and the turbine should run. It won't be fast, but it will run.

Now, by operating the foot control, a blast of air pressure can be put to the turbine, giving it a Power Boost for much better blending!

Boost mode will be limited because the air tank will run down fast. It will take some time for the little 12-volt compressor to bring it back up. The solar panel may take all day to replenish the power in the battery required to run the blender for a short period.

This is a portable, self-contained turbine system that requires no electricity from the Grid!



And don't forget, you can order the BEST neodymium super-magnets from K&J Magnetics here.