Exploring the great outdoors is certainly a fun activity. However, having access to a reliable and sustainable energy source is often a challenge. While solar-powered battery packs are a great option, they’re not entirely reliable, as they depend on the presence of sunlight. Luckily, there’s now a charging device that doesn’t rely on sunlight. Introducing WaterLily, a portable turbine that generates power from rivers and streams.
Developed by Canadian company Seaformatics, this compact turbine provides an efficient power solution using three reliable and sustainable energy sources. For starters, it mainly derives energy from bodies of water, such as brooks, creeks, rivers and streams. So, as long as you have access to flowing water, you won’t have problems generating power. In fact, it can generate up to 15 watts, depending on the speed of the water current.
Unlike the sun which sets at the end of the day, water continuously flows through the night. This allows the turbine to harvest up to 360 Watt-hours of power in a day. That’s almost eight times more than the capacity of a 14-Watt solar panel!
In a river with an average current speed, the WaterLily portable turbine can charge most electronic devices as fast as a wall charger!
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This portable hydro turbine can also be equipped with optional attachments, including the WindLily and the Emergency Hand Crank. Both accessories offer alternative ways of generating power in the absence of flowing water. WindLily instantly transforms the river turbine into a portable wind turbine using six attachable blades and a tripod.
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Alternatively, the Hand Crank allows you to produce power by manually rotating the turbine’s blades. According to the website, rotating the crank for ten minutes will give you six minutes of talk time. So, this feature is particularly helpful during emergency situations where you don’t have access to both water and wind.
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The turbine comes with two output options—a USB output and a 12V output
Both turbines essentially have the same functions and features, except for the output voltage and connector. The USB variant offers a more direct and convenient way of charging your mobile phones, power banks, speakers and more.
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However, unlike the USB variant, the 12V variant is not limited to USB-2.0 specifications. So, it can actually charge more devices, including high-capacity batteries. Plus, you can use it to charge your USB devices through the use of an SAE to USB adapter. So, it all boils down to the types of devices you wish to charge.
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Either way, both variants measure 2.85 pounds and measure seven inches in diameter and three inches thick each. Both come with the same blade design, frictionless drive, 10-foot charge cable and drop-proof housing. They also feature the same removable stainless steel lanyards which enable limitless setup and mounting options.
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Indeed, the WaterLily portable turbine comes in handy during off-the-grid adventures, remote fieldwork and even in emergency power outages. While the turbine and its add-on attachments are available separately, the brand also offers bundle promotions at special rates. Feel free to check out their website to find out more about their product offerings.
Witness the WaterLily turbine in action via the video below
Source: WaterLily Turbine Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube