Occupy Wall Street Inspires DIY Solar Technology
When you’re out there on the street, fighting for your right to protest a government that would rather pretend like you don’t exist, it’s tough to find access to a reliable source of power. You could duck into nearby coffee shops or retail stores and poach some of their power, but chances are they’ve been brainwashed by the mainstream media into thinking you’re a terrorist, so that probably won’t work. Besides, there are just too many occupiers and not enough outlets.
The global Occupy movement isn’t about taking what doesn’t belong to us or relying on anyone’s charity, including the federal government, so why not declare energy independence instead? So, clever occupiers came up with bike-powered generators to that turned human energy into electricity. But these weren’t as effective when everyone was asleep.
When the team at Revolt Labs heard that the Occupy Wall Street movement was coming to Boston, they decided to show their support in a way that only a hacker can: they whipped up a Solar charging USB box that protesters could use to keep their phones and video cameras charged while camping.
Using a box from an Army surplus store, a 7805 voltage regulator, a few caps and a diode, the box’s five solar panels are capable of putting out two watts of power…each. This regulated output goes to a hub where any USB capable device can then receive a fresh charge. And true to the open, sharing nature of the Occupy movement, Revolt Labs isn’t trying to keep the design a secret. You can access pictures and directions for building one of your own on their website.
Related Reading:
Time To Occupy The Corporations [Video]
Occupy Wall Street Holds First Feminist General Assembly
Read more: diy, occupy wall street, portable power, protest, renewable energy, solar
Images via Revolt Lab
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Good tips, thanks
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28 comments
+ add your ownVery cool. I love SOLAR and OCCUPY. What a liberating duo.
why is this inappropriate?
Great idea, There are a great many clever & talented people who could come up with philanthropic ideas. Become independant of big corporations, they mostly just skin you.
why is this inappropriate?
Good things are coming out of the Occupy Movement! Thanks for this article
why is this inappropriate?
I'd like to see city governments invest in these things...put them at bus stops, for example
why is this inappropriate?
Good things are coming out of the Occupy Movement! Thanks for this article.
why is this inappropriate?
Great idea!
why is this inappropriate?
See, this makes sense. Someone taking it upon themselves to solve a problem without having to resort to the government. Creative and it works. Great. If we just do these things ourselves and leave the government out of the equation we can get it done. Imagine if someone who is currently unemployed would take an idea like this, refine it, make it cheap to reproduce and market it at a very low price to consumers - that is the way it is done. Perhaps the occupier who did this could market them and make his/her fortune and become one of the 1%!
why is this inappropriate?
Occupy Wall Street movement couldn't solve all your problems but made people aware of Citizens United the reason your Congressman can be legally paid millions by corporations for their benefit and you as a citizen's needs are ignored.
I must presume you know the Supreme Court passed Citizens United and it's being challenged by people that want to right a wrong.
why is this inappropriate?
awesome idea!
why is this inappropriate?
very smart
why is this inappropriate?
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