130VDC PM treadmill motor

[iwade4fish]

have a 130VDC Permanent Magnet motor from a treadmill and most of the inner wiring to boot. It is rated at 7800 rpm! that seems like a misprint, after all, it's for a treadmill and no huge reduction mechanisms were seen. Is this a practical motor for wind power?

[Chuck]

Probably not useful for direct drive wind generators. To get just 12 volts you would need to drive it at 720 rpm, closer to 900 rpm to get much charge for a 12 volt system.

There are ways to get a small wind generator to go that fast, but usually only at pretty high winds only. I prefer to have a generator that starts charging under 200 rpm.

[willib]

Hi iwade,

why not try spinning the motor by hand and see what you can get out of it by using a voltmeter ?

Bill

[Electron Pump]

  I made a windmill out of a 130v @ 7099 rpm. It did work and with homemade PVC blades but like you say it took 30+ mph winds to get to cut in. Some good blades would have done better but you see kinda the ballpark were talking.

  The work involved with building a turbine is allot of fun, but getting that amp meter to stand up and point at numbers makes all the difference.

  My 7099 is now on a ped-jen. It feels more at home there. I have it geared about 15 to 1. At a steady pace, not working hard, I can ped along about 10 amps. I was showing a friend the other day and I peddled 100v open voltage outta her.

[ghurd]

"Is this a practical motor for wind power?"  Not really.

You could get it to work.  Not worth the effort IMHO.

AdamL got his 130VDC 6750RPM working (link). I encouraged him to make some changes because he already had it flying, but I suggest you look for another motor.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2008/8/25/12258/0492

G-

[Electron Pump]

  Yeah, that was my point also. You can find allot better motor.

[Dan the Handyman]

Hey Iwade,

 I am not one of the masters here, but let me put my two cents in. As stated before, not as a direct drive. Unless you are at a very windy (30mph+) place. Gearing is the most favorable option.

 Now to the heresy: Try a VAWT. They produce quite a bit of torque for the windspeed. Good for gearing. And the motor can be shielded from the weather, as it can be on the bottom.

 Next, the sound of me shutting down my computer. Riding off into the LED lit sunset. (Some don't like the VAWT).

 Just kidding. BTW, how easily does your motor turn? Makes a lot of difference.

Dan the Handyman

[adaml]

 iwade,

From my experience and personal opinion (and that is all it is) you may well be best off looking for an alternative motor.  They can be made to work but a lot more effort than others, however, you will learn a lot in the process!!  Good luck with it and keep going!

[iwade4fish]

The motor turns raTHER easy, which is not great from what i've read. Leaning toward a vawt system as of lately. Have also stockpiled a 36VDC motor rated @ 2400rpm and a 24VDC rated the same from some electric scooters. Have several washing machine and dryers at my disposal as well, need some links for starting from scratch w/AC motors, just a bridge rectifier is all I need, I guess. Just can't bring myself to purchase a motor when there are sooooo many just lying around waiting to be discovered. Thanks for the input, gentlemen( and women?)

[Dan the Handyman]

Hey Iwade,

 Easy spinning is VERY good. Keep the chin up. Recycling is definitely the way to go. If you are extremely patient, you can take the wire out of your motors, use the motors and bearings as a shaft, etc... As an aside, the wire from the motors will probably be aluminum. That doesn't stop the guys who convert motors.

 Dan the Handyman

[ghurd]

Turns easy is fine for a brushed motor.

Scooter motors are mostly a waste of effort.  The 36V needs about 950RPM to charge, the 24V needs 1400RPM, and the output will be low.

There is more to doing an AC conversion than adding a bridge rectifier.

Almost all need magnets added.

Behoof has some nice photos and a link to Zubbly's part #1 instructions here,

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/8/27/51542/1469

But most of mine look something like this, which works better/easier than scooter or most common treadmill motors,

http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/2050/3phHD.jpg

G-

[iwade4fish]

that's alot of magnets. are those welded, epoxied, brazed on there. Also, not much for wind where i am at... might finish the turbine to send to my sister in VA. Has lots of open area, and she doesn't have alot of money coming in right now.Solar panels might be the way to go, after all, I live in the sunshine state of Florida. But don't hate me for it!!!!!!!!! Perhaps a hybrid system. Got a good instructional link for building my alternator??? Good with tinkering, but not with the intricacies og electricity. Need a dummies handbook for... wouldn't that be a good money-maker; Dummies Handbook for wind Turbines. Remember, was my idea first. Send the royalties to me, please:)

[ghurd]

Magnets can not get too hot, so they are epoxied on.

"Dummies Handbook for wind Turbines"?

Best bets are the books written by the guys who pay to operate this website, and Hugh.

Amazingly enough, they can both be purchased from the guys who operate this site,

http://www.forcefieldmagnets.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_29&products_id=196

http://www.forcefieldmagnets.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_29&products_id=199

Google Zubbly.  (RIP)

You WILL be sorry if you buy internet crap books.

Not much usable wind here either, at a level I can use it.

"Good with tinkering, but not with the intricacies og electricity"

Google Watt's Law, Ohm's Law.  That's most of it needed to get started.  It is about understanding relationships.

I like solar.

Makes simple expensive reliable power, but not nearly as fun.

G-

[iwade4fish]

Solar energy is not much "fun", I agree, but it has it's place.Off to work now. thanx to all. will be in touch.

                         Danny

[valterra]

Just not necessarily for wind.

I had my parents' old treadmill.  The motor was approximately the same specs as yours.  Grooved belt on a pulley made the belt turn 'round.

It might not be the best for wind - BUT inside the treadmill, it is a perfect generator all by itself.  

Just plug in your diodes (or rectifiers) and get on the treadmill.  Start walking.  Sometimes it isn't easy to get it started, but I was able to peak over 7A (over 100 watts!) by walking.

It generates electricity, it's great exercise, it's boring as hell.

Hope that helps!