I recently purchased a 1/2hp ac induction motor from harbor freight. For some reason purchasing a new motor was the only way for me to get a motor to convert to a generator. People here seem to be able to get used motors, but i've never come across one. So anyways I took the thing apart and pulled the armature out. I had my dad machine it down so I could place magnets on it. I ended up with 60 magnets, 1/2" x 1/4" on it, N50. Each pole of course consisted of 15 magnets tightly together. Since I used the same armature that it came with, I just skewed the magnets according to the aluminum dividers or whatever they are called as a guide. It was a pain getting the magnets to superglue so close to each other, it took me like 4 hours. Finally I got em on there, by the way I may have gotten the magnets on there quicker if I wasn't married. The wife always seems to have honey-do's for me. Ok , then finally I bought some epoxy and made the cast to ensure the magnets will stay on. Got the thing back in the motor, and it turns great, just with a slight cog. FINALLY I made something that works hehe. There is only maybe 1/32 clearance between the magnets and the stator. Looks like about 12vdc around 120 rpm. But I have a 24v inverter so I may have to use a small set of blades to achieve that cut in. I wish I just went this route in the first place, I found an ac induction motor conversion so much easier than an axial flux. No coils to wind, no complicated setup. Although I know people here do just fine with the axial flux, but really , unless you have the time, the tools, and the patience I recommend a coversion for starters. I live in Blanchard OK, and I know of 4 bergy generators, the 10kw ones within a 20 mile radius. These too must be like a motor conversion, except they have em down to a science. Those bergeys and the peeps here on this board doing experiments is what inspired me to make a conversion. Every day I read the old and the new stuff tryin to learn just exactly how to go about it. I thank everyone for their stories, of course flux, I always try to read his stuff, and that guy Jerry. I took some pics for you guys but I'm too dumb to know how to post em. I really wanted to show them to you, any advice would be welcome. I love looking at peoples pictures, it hepls me see what they are talking about. I'm hoping for something like maybe 500 watts, I mean the real stuff too. Not that instantaneuos crap. Once again thanks to the admin and everyone for everything, I have definately learned alot from this board since I started this cool hobby a year ago.
