Non-motoring > Machines not requiring electricity to operate?	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: movilogo	Replies: 50

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:27   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - movilogo

What are the devices/machines/apparatus which don't require either battery or electricity to operate? I can imagine only bicycle so far. All modern cars need electronics/battery inside them. Traditional steam locomotives don't need electronics but they need coal (which is a form of fuel though not electric). Please list all what you can imagine (even though they are not used nowadays e.g. sextant). Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:30   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - smokie

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HpVDTEHCYc Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:30   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Focusless

Do you mean just ones that are in use today? And being nosey, is this just idle curiosity, or some sort of homework assignment? :) Last edited by: Focusless on Wed 9 Apr 14 at 14:31 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:31   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - movilogo

Idle curiosity :-) You can list historic machines too. Last edited by: movilogo on Wed 9 Apr 14 at 14:31 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:35   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Meldrew

Any hand or foot operated pump, a windmill/turbine, tidal energy machines, a bicycle, any boat that is sailed or rowed or paddled. An Archimedes screw Last edited by: Meldrew on Wed 9 Apr 14 at 14:36 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:43   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - movilogo

Car jack (motoring connection!) Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:43   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Robin O'Reliant

A mangle. A bow and arrow. A wheelchair. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:49   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Duncan

Gas oven. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 14:55   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Duncan

Gas fire. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 15:02   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Armel Coussine

Any clock worked by springs, weights or water flow. Telescope, microscope. Clockwork gramophone. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 15:05   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

Surely there are too many to list, from a crow bar to a hand lawn mower from a pair of nutcrackers to a mincing machine from a scythe to catapult. And any machine uses energy even if it's of the human or animal kind. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 15:39   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - NortonES2

The very first camshaft. Hint: Mesopotamia. Hydraulic lift. Last edited by: NortonES2 on Wed 9 Apr 14 at 15:40 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 15:48   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Falkirk Bairn

Keeping to motoring - a tyre leaver! See-saw! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 21:14   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - MD

>> Keeping to motoring - a tyre leaver! That might be a Fly tipper. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 15:52   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Cliff Pope

Hand-crank or compressed air start diesel engine - eg old tractor or fishing boat. Nileometer in ancient Egypt Stonehenge My father's Girard-Perregaux watch Gas fridge Chaff-cutter Horse-drawn farm machinery Carbide lamp Water ram pump Steam turbine Jet engine (probably the control system uses electricity?) Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 15:48   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Zero

>> Traditional steam locomotives don't need electronics Alas not the case. Every steam locomotive authorised to run on the railway requires: Automatic Warning System (AWS) (first fitted in 1956) an electro mechanical audible and visual warning system to assist the driver approaching signals at caution , and some locos could operate the brakes if there was a "signal passed at danger" (SPAD) GSMR - Cab radio to control centre secure two way radio link AND National Radio Network (NRN) and Cab Secure Radio (CSR) If certified to run at over 75mph, a high intensity warning lamp (LED TYPE) Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:07   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Bromptonaut

>> Alas not the case. >> >> Every steam locomotive authorised to run on the railway requires: >> >> Automatic Warning System (AWS) While that's true of locos operating on NR main line metals now it doesn't invalidate the original post in a traditional (ie historic) sense. Is AWS universal on the National network even on remote rural settings using RETB etc or on preserved lines? I'd not noticed it on the Northampton and Lamport. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Wed 9 Apr 14 at 23:11 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 16:45   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Fursty Ferret

If you bump-started our Zetor tractor it required no electricity to run, being a diesel engine. This was evident after the wiring loom caught fire when I was driving it a long way from home and didn't want to abandon it and walk back*. * I actually used a length of copper bar to short out the battery and starter motor across the solenoid, but for all intents and purposes it was electrically dead. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:51   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Bromptonaut

>> If you bump-started our Zetor tractor it required no electricity to run, being a diesel >> engine. Our old BX was similar. Failed to start on supermarket car park, dying alternator misdiagnosed as battery failure. New battery started it OK and she set of for her Mother's. Only gradual change headlight>glow worm after dark caused her to stop; engine was pulling fine. Possibly though the fuel supply solenoid would have let go eventually and brought it to a halt even in daylight. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 18:19   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Telb

Stapler, typewriter, hole punch, unstapler, guillotine Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 18:30   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - VxFan

>> Stapler, typewriter, hole punch, unstapler, guillotine Plus countless other stationery items. scissors, letter opener, etc. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 19:45   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

One of the most significant inventions of the nineteenth century was the sewing machine. Treadle operated and requiring a considerable degree of co-ordination and skill to operate it made cheap clothing possible and was a major element in the industrial revolution. Usually overlooked by historians of the industrial revolution mainly I suspect because sewing machines were normally operated by women. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 21:13   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - MD

Air rifle? Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 21:44   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - madf

Windmill, water wheel, solar panel,solar furnace, solid rocket motor,fuel cell, gyroscope, glider, clockwork watch, clockwork radio, clockwork anything, self heating can, diesel engine, the list is endless.. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:20   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Boxsterboy

Machines that I use that don't use electricity include: Bicycle, foot pump, windsurfer, dinghy, snowboard, Paddleboard, kayak, log burner, saw, tape measure, ... I'm sure there's more. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:28   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Dulwich Estate

Take care all. In the strict definition of a machine some of your suggestions are not machines at all. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:33   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

My pride-and-joy is this device that requires no electricity, just pedal power: i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll286/propforward/Stuff/Clag-gone-745254.jpg Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:36   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

Thinking about this from the other direction if we rule out electronics such as computers and radio is not the only machine powered by electricity the electric motor which in turn powers the electric devices on which we depend? Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:39   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

My hairdryer disagrees with that premise. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:41   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

Does it not contain a motor for the fan? Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:42   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

Aye but also some wire that is heated with electricity to provide the heat. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:46   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Runfer D'Hills

Hair dryer? Sheesh ! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 22:51   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Ted

Hair ? Sheesh again ! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:00   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

A heated wire is no more a machine than is a candle. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:23   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

>>A heated wire is no more a machine than is a candle. Try telling the arc welder that, buddo. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:33   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

Why would an arc welder dispute the fact that a candle or a heated wire is not a machine.? To make any sense of your argument you need to define what you mean by a machine. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:36   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

And since you're a doctor are humans machines? Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:53   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

>>And since you're a doctor are humans machines? No more (or just as much) as an amoeba. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Apr 14 23:50   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

>>To make any sense of your argument you need to define what you mean by a machine Whereas your argument translates to "if you remove everything that isn't an electric motor, the only part of a machine that uses electricity is an electric motor". More of a statement than a definition. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 00:12   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

No, my proposition, and I'm not certain that it is true is that there is only one electric machine, namely the electric motor. Things like vacuum cleaners electric cars and drills are fundamentally machines that utilise an electric motor as a source of energy. Those machines could still exist with a different power source e.g a car can be powered by electricity I would suggest the following dictionary definition of a machine although of course there are others. "an apparatus consisting of interrelated parts with separate functions, used in the performance of some kind of work: " Of course that makes us all machines but it excludes heated wires. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 00:20   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Lygonos

>> it excludes heated wires. An inter-related part, without which it isn't a hairdryer. More of a Tesco Value Leafblower ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 00:37   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Stuartli

Cylinder lawn mower. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 06:46   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Zero

>> No, my proposition, and I'm not certain that it is true is that there is >> only one electric machine, namely the electric motor. Fundamentally not true. Take maglev trains for example. No motor, but clearly performing work and movement, so fulfils the requirement of "machine" Last edited by: Zero on Thu 10 Apr 14 at 06:47 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 06:50   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Zero

And of course all the other things mentioned on here require human power to make them work, The motor in effect. What makes human muscles move? Electricity. good luck getting your pet amoeba to mow the lawn. Last edited by: Zero on Thu 10 Apr 14 at 06:50 Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 06:52   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Zero

>> Fundamentally not true. Take maglev trains for example. No motor, but clearly performing work and >> movement, so fulfils the requirement of "machine" And before the pedants start, yes I know its a 'linear" motor, but it has no moving parts. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 08:43   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Cliff Pope

>> >> And before the pedants start, yes I know its a 'linear" motor, but it has >> no moving parts. >> Just an unheated wire, in fact ? Nodding duck, alias: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_bird Whistle Rotating chimney cowl Traditional speedometer or tachometer Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 09:06   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Duncan

>> Nodding duck, alias: >> >> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_bird >> Done that:- www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HpVDTEHCYc Do try to keep up. ;-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 10:58   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - bathtub tom

>>Traditional speedometer or tachometer Do eddy currents count as electricity? Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 09:12   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - CGNorwich

If you allow that a linear motor is an electric motor then I think my proposition still stands . I never specified a particular sort of electric motor It is possible to envisage a hair dryer type machine that employs a different sort of power to run the fan. It is not a uniquely electrical device Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 09:31   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - movilogo

I tried to define the terms to make them less ambiguous. Tool - Usually a physical item which can be used to achieve a goal. E.g. scissors, screw driver, spanner etc. Machine - A machine is a tool containing one or more (often moving) parts that uses energy to perform an intended action. E.g. bicycle, car, locomotive, washing machine etc. Equipment - Very broad use. Usually collection of tools necessary for particular purpose. E.g. camping equipments consist of tent, rope, lantern etc. Instrument - An equipment which often measures something. Apparatus - Similar to equipment but the term is mostly used for scientific or technical scenarios. Appliance - Usually refers to household machines. E.g. washing machine, fridge, toaster etc. Reply to this message | Report message

New Thu 10 Apr 14 10:35   Machines not requiring electricity to operate? - Fursty Ferret

>> >> No, my proposition, and I'm not certain that it is true is that there >> is >> >> only one electric machine, namely the electric motor. >> >> Fundamentally not true. Take maglev trains for example. No motor, but clearly performing work and >> movement, so fulfils the requirement of "machine" >> Well, technically the Maglev works via a rotating magnetic field in the track so it's an induction motor missing a few bits. Edit: Ah, you've already foreseen the pedants. Last edited by: Fursty Ferret on Thu 10 Apr 14 at 10:35 Reply to this message | Report message