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Simple coke can engine

by scraptopower on February 24, 2011

Table of Contents

Simple coke can engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Simple coke can engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Open the can with a can opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2: Bend a paper clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: The displacer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4: The diaphragm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 5: Fit the diaphragm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 6: Cut the main bits of wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 7: Make the base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 8: Cut the bearing supports to size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 9: The cranks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Step 10: The displacer connecting rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Step 11: Diaphragm connecting rods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Step 12: Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 13: Tie on the displacer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 14: Secure the flywheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 Author:scraptopower Junkie - Scrap to power
Always a brew in hand, I like to make stuff, from crazy to half sensible. Take a look at my site for more instrucables and guides.

Intro: Simple coke can engine

After I built my first coke can Stirling engine, I thought it was over complicated and could be made easier to build. This is a simpler version of the coke can Stirling engine

Materials1 Coke can

Steel wire wool

1.6mm steel wire
Spring paper clip
Normal paper clip
0.4-0.6mm fishing line
Super glue
Thin cardboard from a cereal box
A balloon
6.35mm electrical connector/spade connectors .

Step 1: Open the can with a can opener

Open the top of the can with a can opener.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
Step 2: Bend a paper clip
Bend a paper clip into this rough shape, this is so that you can tie the wire onto the displacer later on

Step 3: The displacer

Roll the steel wire wool around a bic pen, when it's a little bigger then the can opening, stop rolling the wool and cut it to size. Cut it down to about 2/3rds of the height of
the can. Thread the paper clip you formed earlier through the centre of the steel wire wool. Tie on about a foot of fishing line to the hook in the paper clip. Squeeze the
displacer into the can. It's a tight fit, but it can be done

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 Image Notes
1. Thread the paper clip you formed earlier through the centre of the steel wire
wool. Trim the displacer so it slides smoothly.

Image Notes
1. Tie on the dishing line.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
Step 4: The diaphragm
Draw two circles on the cardboard about the same diameter as the opening in the top of the can. Don't pierce through the cardboard with the point of the compass. Inflate
balloon then super glue the cardboard disc onto the balloon, there's usually a slightly deformed part of the balloon - this is roughly the centre. Glue it on here. Deflate the
balloon and cut off the neck.Turn the balloon inside out. Cut off the balloon around the centre.Glue the cardboard disc over

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
Step 5: Fit the diaphragm
Use a sewing needle to pierce a hole through the centre of the cardboard discs and thread the fishing line through that hole. Stretch the balloon over the can. Check that
the displacer can be moved up and down freely.

Step 6: Cut the main bits of wire

Cut two pieces of steel wire about a metre long. Mark the approximate length of the bearing supports by making a bend around 15cm from one end.

Bend the wire around the top of the can and twist it to secure it.

Do the same on the other side.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 Image Notes
1. Bend the wire around the top of the can and twist it to secure it.

Step 7: Make the base

Bend the two 15cm pieces upwards, these will form the bearings for the cranks. The rest of the wire is bent downwards and formed into a big circle to support the coke
can. I just twisted the wires together.

Step 8: Cut the bearing supports to size.

Measure from the top of the can and cut the two bearing wires down to about 15cm. Crimp on two spade connectors for the bearing points

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 Image Notes
1. These two hold the cranks.

Step 9: The cranks

Cut a piece of the steel wire about a metre long. Bend the displacer crank, this part should be bent out around 25mm.
About 5mm along from this, and rotated around by 90 degrees, start forming the two crank arms for the diaphragm.
The diaphragm cranks arms should be a short a stroke as possible, 2 - 4mm is good.

You should have about 80cm worth of wire left to form the flywheel. About 30mm from the diaphragm crank arm bend the wire in the opposite direction to the displacer
crank arm. This is so you can counter balance the displacer it later on. Then about 12 cm along, start forming the circle for the flywheel.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 Image Notes
1. They'll look like this when they're finished.

Step 10: The displacer connecting rod

Make the displacer connecting rod as above. To get the right size, thread the cranks through the bearing holes, and line it up as you make it.

Step 11: Diaphragm connecting rods

The diaphragm connecting rods are made in the same way. Start by forming a half-circle curve on the wire the same as the cardboard disc. You need two of these the
same. Crimp connectors on the end.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
Step 12: Assembly
Fit all of the connecting rods on the crankshaft.

Glue the ends of the diaphragm connecting rods to the cardboard discs using super glue. Keep an eye on the fishing line so it doesn't get glued down too!

Step 13: Tie on the displacer

Tie the fishing line onto the displacer connecting rod. Make sure the displacer is moved all the way up and down by the cranks without getting stuck. When your happy,
super-glue the knot so it can't come undone.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
Step 14: Secure the flywheel
Secure the end of the flywheel using a spring clip. This also counter balances the displacer.

It's finished now! All you have to do is light a candle under the coke can and let it heat up. Once it's hot, turn the flywheel to start the engine.

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scraptopower

Comments
30 comments Add Comment

8v92 says: Mar 3, 2011. 6:55 PM REPLY

Trying to figure out why this engine runs is like figuring out why a bumble bee flys, it should not run but it certainly runs quite well. The counter weight in the
center seems to resonate and the flywheel is low mass but high inertia. I am not an expert but there are principals at work here that need to be studied. This
is a great example of thinking outside the box.

lilBoomBOom says: Mar 3, 2011. 5:59 PM REPLY

Very good concept!!

Just curious how fast roughly does it operate?? have you ever thought of doing a multi-cylinder sterling engine??

gafisher says: Mar 3, 2011. 9:16 AM REPLY

Very good! Truly a Stirling, er sterling project!

Those concerned about Coke vs. Pepsi might want to consider other beverages. Canned V8 juice, for example ...

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 3:50 PM REPLY

No, Coca Cola trumps all.

splazem says: Mar 2, 2011. 4:57 PM REPLY

Wow. Ingenious. Hate to be like this, but you say coke can, when you show a pepsi can. I wouldn't care, but we all know Coca Cola is sooooooo much better
than Pepsi. We know that, right?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 Cephus says: Mar 3, 2011. 6:54 AM REPLY
It's the real thing. Coke adds life.... all that good stuff from ages ago. I never felt free enough to join the Pepsi Generation.

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 3:49 PM REPLY

I agree.

MaXoR says: Mar 3, 2011. 8:55 AM REPLY

And now for the crusher..... sadly they are both owned by the same parent company, and have been for years. So even though one may prefer the
taste of one to another, the profits go to the same place (oops, that was a little off topic)

Coke is also loaded with sugar, and far more acidic than pepsi. I personally think pepsi tastes like water, but coke just makes my teeth feel gritty. I'm
a Dr. Pepper fan, and always will be.

If you're going to put something that horrible (pop in general) into your body, you might as well go for the best flavored. (lol, my opinion only. I can
only imagine what comments this will entice out of others)

As for this ible.... kudos! Simple, effective, and readily available parts... top ible in my books!

featheredfrog says: Mar 3, 2011. 9:07 AM REPLY

Coke and Pepsi? Different companys entirely.

MaXoR says: Mar 3, 2011. 11:01 AM REPLY

I retract my previous statement of them being the same parent company. I had read it online a few years back, and I guess it was a hoax. I
know the adage of not believing everything you read, however I had referenced more than 5 websites with the same "press release".

I still stand by my opinion stated in the two preceding paragraphs. Thanks for the push to re-research the point about them being under the
same parent company.

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 3:50 PM REPLY

But if you had to pick, Coke or Pepsi, it would be...?

featheredfrog says: Mar 3, 2011. 4:45 PM REPLY

I'd prefer Diet Coke -- Pepsi products taste to me the way Pine-Sol smells

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 5:56 PM REPLY

Oh no. Diet coke is NOT Coca Cola. It's like fat free ice-cream. It loses all of the good taste that REAL Coke has. But, at least you
picked Diet Coke and not Pepsi Max.

the tech head says: Mar 3, 2011. 4:31 PM REPLY

pepsi all the way

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 4:39 PM REPLY

If you can't say something nice, don't post a comment. Coke IS better. You don't get an opinion in this matter. Sorry. That's life.

the tech head says: Mar 3, 2011. 6:24 PM REPLY

i like Pepsi personally its the best

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 6:27 PM REPLY

Right now, I want you to go to the store. Buy a can of coke. Drink it. Enjoy. Then tell me which is better, Pepsi or Coke.

the tech head says: Mar 3, 2011. 8:23 PM REPLY

ive actually tried them side by side i liked pepsi is better in MY opinion BUT! i will choose coke over other brands if no
pepsi

digus says: Mar 3, 2011. 11:07 AM REPLY

"I was reading a book
Or maybe it was a magazine
Suggestions on where to place faith
Suggestions on what to believe
But I read somewhere

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/
 That you've got to beware
You can't believe anything you read"

--Jack Johnson

splazem says: Mar 3, 2011. 3:50 PM REPLY

That's hilarious!

sommmen says: Mar 3, 2011. 9:12 AM REPLY

luve it! only doesn't look so fancy..

chrisnotap says: Mar 3, 2011. 8:34 AM REPLY

I didn't know what to expect when It said "coke can engine" > So amazing. My hat goes off to you. Great work, so incredibly simple.

pastorkirbyjohnson says: Mar 3, 2011. 7:57 AM REPLY

Middle School Science Fair, here I come!!!!
Awesome!
I had never even heard of a Stirling Engine until this instructable.
My kids and I will have a blast (in a good kind of way) with this.

johniram says: Mar 2, 2011. 5:41 PM REPLY

Amazing! Great work.

dombeef says: Mar 2, 2011. 5:24 PM REPLY

You are awesome!

ac1D says: Mar 2, 2011. 4:32 PM REPLY

Very nice!
I watched the video, and I can't resist! I need to make one :)

RedneckEngineer says: Mar 2, 2011. 12:14 PM REPLY

I love it! Looks like it wants to take off and chase you down the hallway! Now if you can take this model and improve it with other parts you may increase the
output and make it even better. Keep it simple and you hit it on the head!

rimar2000 says: Mar 2, 2011. 8:34 AM REPLY

Very good work!

MonkeyBoy3217 says: Mar 2, 2011. 7:32 AM REPLY

Holy crap that thing is like a monster... GREAT instructable. Im making a sterling engine, I hope mine is as good as yours!

arv4o0 says: Mar 2, 2011. 5:01 AM REPLY

thanx alot.the first one was a bit complicated

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-coke-can-engine/