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Kinetic Charging?
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01-29-2016, 07:06 PM #1
Thorin
Status: Offline Threads/Posts:1/2 Joined:Jan 2016
The kinetic charging module is the #4 module on my list, the other 3 (battery,GPS, altimeter) are all on the phase one list. I've been a follower since before the KickStarter launch and was a day 1 backer. This module appears to have fallen from grace and I'm wondering why?
I'm also wondering if it's possible to "bank" a module from the 4 included in the pack so I can wait for this module?
Anyone have any news?
Thanks and is it May yet?

01-29-2016, 07:35 PM #2
RobLeather
Status: Offline Threads/Posts:0/3 Joined:Jan 2016
I was surprised this was even on there at the start - I didn't think kinetic charging could generate enough to cover something power-intensive like a smart watch. Would be nice to have I suppose, but if it was me it would be lower down the priority list as a non-essential

Edit: It's still on the list, so what do you mean "fallen from grace"? I thought you meant it had mysteriously disappeared off the module list or something....
This post was last modified: 01-29-2016, 07:54 PM by RobLeather.

01-30-2016, 12:35 AM #3
Thorin
Status: Offline Threads/Posts:1/2 Joined:Jan 2016
Guess I should check the list for updates before I post a question. Doh!

Originally it was a phase 1 module, then on KS it dropped to phase 2, then it disappeared last month. Glad to see it back on the list. I'm also very curious what the power output is! I average 15k steps a day, so I was hoping the kinetic could add a day to my battery life.

01-30-2016, 04:13 AM #4
Haratu New Member

Status: Offline Threads/Posts:1/13 Joined:Jan 2016
Kinetic charging was introduced to digital watches last century then dropped rather quickly from many models. The reason for this is that the amount it charges is so negligible as to make it unecassary.
Consider that a digital watch uses far less power than a smartwatch and it quickly becomes apparent that a kinetic charging module just becomes a waste of a module.

02-15-2016, 05:10 AM #5
estenmar BLOCKS Member
Status: Offline Threads/Posts:0/2 Joined:Jan 2016
While I was initially really excited about the kinetic charging module, it seems that the technical limitations of such a charger are what have pulled it down on the list (or removed it entirely). Based on the size of the modules, the power generated from such a small kinetic charger would be extremely limited, rendering it almost superfluous. This is why most digital watch makers have turned away from kinetic charging and to solar instead (i.e. Seiko, G-Shock, etc).

I would love for there to be a module which charges the BLOCKS watch on the go to a point of extending the time between plug-in sessions, I guess we'll see if some developer will be able to come up with a system that comes up with a good system.

02-15-2016, 07:17 AM #6
Flex New Member

Status: Offline Threads/Posts:0/7 Joined:Jan 2016
Something like this : Built in solar panel

02-15-2016, 09:14 AM #7
a_guy Ambassador

Status: Offline Threads/Posts:5/80 Joined:Jan 2016
The kinetic charging module was delayed because of technological constraints, this module will be hard to make and won't be that great if it uses actual technologies.
I was a big fan of this module but it seems that it is not possible to make it for now


About "banking" modules, it has already been discussed but I don't remember where exactly, sorry.


Ambassador, Maker, Fan of 3D printing, Supporter of modularity (PhoneBlocks, project ARA, Blocks, FairPhone)

I do remember when the connectors looked like stereo jacks

03-02-2016, 08:56 PM #8
Bernie New Member

Status: Offline Threads/Posts:2/8 Joined:Feb 2016
(02-15-2016, 07:17 AM)Flex Wrote:  Something like this : Built in solar panel

I have a Seiko watch that is powered by light






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