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Make a Generator

Alright so here is what I am looking for. I need a small generator that could fit inside of a box-fan. I've seen things about stepper motors and all but I need the absolute most simple generator you can come up with. I'm no electrician and I don't own a soldering iron, can anyone help?

21 comments
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Oct 6, 2008. 2:05 PM11010010110 says:
I read somewhere that single phase AC (magnet-less) motors can make electricity too with an 'echo capacitor' connected. I plan trying that but dont know now if it works Try large diameter computer fans too (remove the electronics inside and connect diodes from 2 coils to + and - )
Nov 9, 2008. 5:40 AMolddawg says:
I would like to learn more of this 'echo capacitor'! I f you could pass along a link, it would be greatly appreciated.
Nov 9, 2008. 1:10 PM11010010110 says:
i think its it

http://users.aber.ac.uk/iri/WIND/TECH/MISC/MotorsAsGenerators.html

there was something else with better explanation and graphics but i cant find it
Nov 9, 2008. 2:44 PMolddawg says:
Thank you. I took a quick look and I will return to figure it out. If you do ever find the other site, please do send it my way. I have a feeling this will be yet another discussion on this site! If it already has been, someone please send me that way....
Nov 9, 2008. 5:51 AMolddawg says:
Check these people out.http://www.motorwavegroup.com/new/motorwind/index.html
I've been experimenting with low wind basic type wind turbines and I like what they are doing.
They are making what I concluded I needed to do.

They're pricing is still a bit high, but they are supposed to come out with a kit that should be affordable.
Nov 9, 2008. 5:47 AMry25920 says:
Uh, any dc motor can be a generator.
Jun 17, 2008. 12:16 PMBig Bwana says:
What are you going to use this generator for ?? if it's for some thing like a science fair, a stepper motor and a few LED's are are the easiest way (( honestly if the motor has a plug in connector on it you don't even need a soldering iron )) So some more info would really help
Jun 17, 2008. 12:44 PMBig Bwana says:
The easyest way would be to find a small DC motor and a blocking diode and connect it to your fan, but the simplest is not aways the most efficient.. So I'll let you know what your looking at some thing that size your only going to get about 15 watts out of it and your going to need at least a +12 mph wind... and a car battery is about 70 Amp hour, so if it's dead your going to need like two to three days to charge it.... And what are you running of your battery, an electric fencer ? an inverter and TV ? a portable coleman cooler full of cold ones ??
Jun 17, 2008. 12:57 PMTool Using Animal says:
You forgot Betz limit, he can only get 7 watts out of a box fan at 12 mph and that's before losses.
Oct 5, 2008. 12:38 PMyourcat says:
"Betz Limit"?
Oct 5, 2008. 12:45 PMTool Using Animal says:
Theoretical maximum amount of wind speed that can be converted into energy.

betz limit
Oct 5, 2008. 3:04 PMwhatsisface says:
Thanks for the link, that's really interesting.
Jun 17, 2008. 1:07 PMBig Bwana says:
Sorry I was just doing a good guesstimate on a one of those large box fans So now he's at about a week to charge a dead battery (( not that you should ever run them down that low ))
Jun 17, 2008. 1:17 PMTool Using Animal says:
Good guesstimate. My math showed a max potential of 12 watts based on a radius of 25cm and a windspeed of 5 mps before Betz limit.
Jun 17, 2008. 1:21 PMBig Bwana says:
Cheaply and quickly, leading to mass production, then why not build them efficiently and quickly, we could talk about the cheaply later.. And use a stepper type motor, and change the blades so they are not a "box fan blade" and use turbine style blade... (( Your going to need a soldering iron ))
Jun 17, 2008. 10:10 AMKiteman says:
If you want DC, just run any DC motor backwards; use something to spin the rotor, and the motor will put out electricity instead of using it.
Jun 17, 2008. 12:06 PMTool Using Animal says:
Backwards, he just means you spin the motor, electricity comes out. DC motors generally suck in wind turbine applications, you need a high wattage low RPM motor, the usual choice is a treadmill motor.

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