Posted by mike on December 12, 2014, 2:43 am
On 12/11/2014 11:15 AM, Paul Dudley wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:26:14 -0500, adsDUMP wrote:
>
>> Most treadmills use DC motors - typically in the 100-150 volt range.
>>
>> If the treadmill motor is a permanent magnet motor, you can easily make
>> it into a DC generator.
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:54:10 -0600, Paul Dudley
>>
>>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>>
>>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights in
>>> my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w inverter
>>> hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run my drill,
>>> recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun the panels
>>> barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors lawn decor
>>> windmill full speed.
>>>
>>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them but
>>> can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>>
>>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered trying
>>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>>> one ?]
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Paul
>
> Well ... I went to see about the treadmill today and it was gone.
> Thanks to those who replied. ... Still lookin'
>
> Paul
>
This is third hand from memory, but,
There was a guy in Oregon who started with garbage disposal
motors and changed the magnets for more output.
Posted by amdx on December 13, 2014, 4:30 am
On 12/11/2014 1:15 PM, Paul Dudley wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:26:14 -0500, adsDUMP wrote:
>
>> Most treadmills use DC motors - typically in the 100-150 volt range.
>>
>> If the treadmill motor is a permanent magnet motor, you can easily make
>> it into a DC generator.
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:54:10 -0600, Paul Dudley
>>
>>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>>
>>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights in
>>> my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w inverter
>>> hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run my drill,
>>> recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun the panels
>>> barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors lawn decor
>>> windmill full speed.
>>>
>>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them but
>>> can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>>
>>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered trying
>>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>>> one ?]
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Paul
>
> Well ... I went to see about the treadmill today and it was gone.
> Thanks to those who replied. ... Still lookin'
>
> Paul
>
Depending on the size of your propeller, you could go to the junk yard
and get an alternator from a car. If you are at all resourceful, you can
probably come up with an alternator without spending any dollars, there
are literally millions around. I don't mean steal it, someone around you
is junking a car.
How big is your prop? How about a Savonius rotor? Keeps everything
near ground, easy to work on.
Here are a few examples, http://tinyurl.com/ngw5pbm
Give us an idea of what power you plan on generating, is a 1000 watts
max enough? A 100 amp alternator will do that.
Find some average wind speed maps for your area, get some info to start
working with.
Mikek
Posted by clare on December 13, 2014, 5:38 am
>
> Depending on the size of your propeller, you could go to the junk yard
>and get an alternator from a car. If you are at all resourceful, you can
>probably come up with an alternator without spending any dollars, there
>are literally millions around. I don't mean steal it, someone around you
>is junking a car.
> How big is your prop? How about a Savonius rotor? Keeps everything
>near ground, easy to work on.
> Here are a few examples, http://tinyurl.com/ngw5pbm
> Give us an idea of what power you plan on generating, is a 1000 watts
>max enough? A 100 amp alternator will do that.
>Find some average wind speed maps for your area, get some info to start
>working with.
> Mikek
An automotive alternator requires pretty high RPM, which necessitates
a SMALL "prop" to get the speed without the tips going supersonic -
and not enough "disc area" toproduce enough torque to generate more
than a few watts.
Posted by Vaughn on December 13, 2014, 3:35 pm
On 12/13/2014 12:38 AM, clare@snyder.on.ca wrote:
> An automotive alternator requires pretty high RPM, which necessitates
> a SMALL "prop" to get the speed without the tips going supersonic -
> and not enough "disc area" toproduce enough torque to generate more
> than a few watts.
Not only that, unless modified with strong field magnets, they require
a hefty excitation current. In general, unmodified auto alternators are
useless for home/hobby-sized wind power.
Connected to a suitable small engine though, they can make a great
emergency battery charger.
Posted by clare on December 13, 2014, 4:30 pm
wrote:
>clare@snyder.on.ca wrote:
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Depending on the size of your propeller, you could go to the junk
>>> yard and get an alternator from a car. If you are at all
>>> resourceful, you can probably come up with an alternator without
>>> spending any dollars, there are literally millions around. I don't
>>> mean steal it, someone around you is junking a car.
>>> How big is your prop? How about a Savonius rotor? Keeps everything
>>> near ground, easy to work on.
>>> Here are a few examples, http://tinyurl.com/ngw5pbm
>>> Give us an idea of what power you plan on generating, is a 1000
>>> watts max enough? A 100 amp alternator will do that.
>>> Find some average wind speed maps for your area, get some info to
>>> start working with.
>>> Mikek
>> An automotive alternator requires pretty high RPM, which necessitates
>> a SMALL "prop" to get the speed without the tips going supersonic -
>> and not enough "disc area" toproduce enough torque to generate more
>> than a few watts.
>
>There are permanent magnet conversions available.
>
>http://www.fossilfreedom.com/alternator-conversion.html
>
>http://www.windbluepower.com/Permanent_Magnet_Alternator_Rotor_Fits_Delco_10SI_p/pma-rot.htm
>
Which still require significant RPM to generate any appreciable power.
XML site map
>
>> Most treadmills use DC motors - typically in the 100-150 volt range.
>>
>> If the treadmill motor is a permanent magnet motor, you can easily make
>> it into a DC generator.
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:54:10 -0600, Paul Dudley
>>
>>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>>
>>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights in
>>> my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w inverter
>>> hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run my drill,
>>> recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun the panels
>>> barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors lawn decor
>>> windmill full speed.
>>>
>>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them but
>>> can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>>
>>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered trying
>>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>>> one ?]
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Paul
>
> Well ... I went to see about the treadmill today and it was gone.
> Thanks to those who replied. ... Still lookin'
>
> Paul
>