Crystal Radio to power an LED?

[fastbilly1]

So its not your typical Tech help question for a gaming site.

I am helping write part of a near future story for a possible tv series about how the world has had another major war and parts of the USA have risen to ganglike violence. Not to get into too much detail, but I was trying to figure out a way that people could still have lights in their houses if there is intermittent power. Then it dawned on me. Would it be possible to use a crystal radio to power a series of LEDs? I have looked online and there are mixed results. Some people say it is possible for less than a second every 10 seconds, others flat out say no, some say it is possible but you need a 100ft+ antenna. I understand that this is a silly question, and is in no way "green," I was just curious if it was possible.

Even if it is not possible we might movie magic it, but it is killing me to know if it is possible. I just havent played with a crystal radio in 20 years...does Radio Shack still sell a Crystal Radio kit?

[Flake]

I don't think so. But technically, you can easily make your own. It's possible to do it with a piece of graphite (like in a pencil) as your crystal but you'll probably want something nicer.

http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/radi ... radio.html

[Erik_Twice]

I was trying to figure out a way that people could still have lights in their houses if there is intermittent power.

Portable generators and the like seems the only viable option.

Would it be possible to use a crystal radio to power a series of LEDs?

I don't see why not. But it wouldn't be efficient at all.

[Zutroy]

I don't think it would work for illumination, you might be able to get enough power into a capacitor to make it flash randomly once a day or something. For ghetto power production i've seen people modify washing machines to turn off a water wheel, thus running the electric motor as a generator.

[fastbilly1]

Thanks fellas, it sounds plausable enough that we are going to movie magic it in, even if it wouldnt technically work. Zutroy your washing machine generator is something I am very interested in. It sounds so simple and looks so brilliant. I will find a way to work that in aswell.

Thanks again.