The 1 HP garbage dispoisals have copper wire. All HP below 1 hp have aluminumwire. This is in the 1/3, 1/2 and 3/4 HP modles. The wire is not copper cuverd. It has the same varnish coating that copper wire has but there is now copper coating.

I've seen amperage ratings in these motor starting at 5.8 for the 1/3 hp and going up to 8.3 in the 3/4 hp. The large majority are 1/2 hp rated at 6.7 amps.

The 1 hp are rated at 10 amps. The one HP is the motor that I get 1200 watts from as a wind generator. This is because 10 amps at 120 volts is 1200 watts. So Its not out of the question. Also we combine the power we're getting from the start windings. The start windings are not part of that 10 amp motor rating. That rating is just for the run windings.  

I've been able to get around 700 watts from the 1/2 hp Garbage disposal motor.

I think motor conversions are not highly regarded here. I think however there is a good potential being overlooked.

I think because of there small diameter armature the asumption is there rpm requierment is to high.

But you must consider the efficientcy of there magnetic circut.

What is the gap in a disc type alt. The distance between the magnet and the lamination or between magnet and magnet. 1/4 in., 3/8 in., 1/2 in.?   It has to be wide to squeez a coil it there.

For a motor conversion I use a gap of 1/16 in. and it could be even closer. Plus the motor has the best posable lamination matereal. This magnetic circut is equivelant to a transformer and transformers have very good efficientcy.
This is part why i think the motor conversion is better than the general consensus.
Not to mention the watter resistant can, bearings, small size, light weight. All kinds of them around most free. Sigle phase , 3 phase. The single phase actully becomes a 2 phase. Can easely be used for 12, 24 or 48 volt charging by rewireing of coils conections. I'm not giving up there to good of deal.

                     JK TAS Jerry

Airheads Page