SMALL genny

[nwcpro]

Ant ideas for a free (or less than 10 bucks) and easily available generator for a tiny wind project?  I don't have much wind (rarely over 10MPH), but I would like to play with it anyway.  I plan to use plastic drum sections for blades.  I would be thrilled if the thing produced even 50 watts or so.  Any ideas?

[Jerry]

The best free motor will be a perminet magnet motor. They requier littel or no modifications depending on there specs and the requiered operating perameters.

There are PM garbage disopal motors. These don't work well as a geni (need to much rpm) but the magnets  can be harvested for a 2 pole or cut for 4 pole ac motor conversion. Other pm motors tredmill, tape drive and stepper motors.

Just keep your eyes out and ask around. Weed eaters, car heater, radiater fan and such motors are good magnet doaners for small ac motor conversions.

Ask  the plumbers, HAAVAC shops, motor rewind, garage door and such shops for there thruoght motors.

   Good luck                     JK TAS Jerry

[pyrocasto]

I think I remember stepper motors from printers worked for a little juice. I dont know though, you'll have to do a search.

[Tommy L]

Hi !

This is a very simple genny.

/ Tommy L

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/6/28/232311/265

[nwcpro]

What about car heater motors?  Do they work fairly well?  Unmodified, I mean.

[ghurd]

I am just putting the finishing touches on a 12 volt tiny motor conversion (1/30th HP).

Some better 'recycling' could have made it under $10.

Everything was Brand New, except one blade that should have been free.

Total $44 , with $3.50 for the new motor, $4 magnets, $2 super glue, $4 epoxy,

$2 in controls, $1 steel bar, $5 (used, central air) different 20" blade,

$22.50 for the 'tower' (on sale, $50 8' Harbor Freight windmill).

Probably need another $5 for clamps, paint, etc.

And used some car stereo wire, a piece of wood, and a few screws from the garage.

And it works! Even in low wind.

G-

[ghurd]

Not for me.

[nwcpro]

Yeah, I answered my own question by (DUH!) reading the board.  Darn!  I want to build a simple one this weekend, and I can't for the life of me come up with a small genny.