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Forum Index : Windmills : windmill motors
| Author | Message | ||||
| Eddie Newbie  Joined: 16/10/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 25 |
Has anyone ever made a list of motors from common items that could be used for mini or micro windmills,that has the ability to charge a 12 volt battery ? |
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| bvan1941 Newbie Joined: 06/05/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 24 |
Eddie, Welcome to the Forum! The question isn't quite that simple to answer. Like many of us, you have to think about the speed your rotor would spin for "the average speed of wind in your area." If your like many of us, 3-15mph is what we have to work with. A direct drive (rotor mounted directly to the motor shaft)would work out with rotor rpm varying between 120rpms to maybe 450rpms (+/-). Most common Direct Current (DC)motors used in 12 volts-DC or 24volts-DC applications spin at 800-3000 rpms at 12/24vdc. If you try to use these you might just about see 1-5vdc at the speed of the wind like described above. Not very good ! For a first potential motor, you might want to find a DC motor with a higher voltage rating (higher is better) and the lowest rpm range you can find. There are a few of these around but they aren't cheap because a lot of people have been picking them up for a few years now. Good candidate motors, look something like the following: 9ovdc(+), 2000 rpms or lower (1500rpms are much better), and finally horsepower-first time= .5hp to 1.5hp. This is not the only way to go,but until you "see what's going on," this will get you in the ballpark and have fun. Read as much as you can on these type forums. There are some brillant people here and if, you really want to learn, they will guide you on your way! Hope this helps--- don't get ADDICTED !!!! LOL Good luck, I started the same way! Bill Bill |
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Andy R. Newbie Joined: 07/05/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 18 |
Probably the most popular one over here in the states is an Ametec. Like stated above they getting more rare and the price is up. They come in maybe 30 volt, 40 volt 90 volt. I have a 40 volt and it's real nice. They are face mounted and usually have a 5/8 diameter shaft. Here's one from ebay which is black. They mostly come in green. http://www.ebay.com/itm/72-VOLT-AMETEK-LOW-WIND-GENERATOR-MO TOR-/260928823943?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc091e287 |
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97fishmt Regular Member  Joined: 19/04/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 77 |
Eddie, I just bought a servo motor today for $50 on ebay. Why fool around, just get the real deal and start your addiction off right. 
Mike |
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| fused Newbie Joined: 18/02/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3 |
Not sure about the servo. Did this work fine for you? I am currently using home made from ceiling fans and they work pretty well. They take 30mins to build. The ratio RPM/VOLTS usually works. If the result is higher than 23 then its not worth using as a pma to charge batteries. |
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| Eddie Newbie Joined: 16/10/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 25 |
Bill Do you think a Motor off a Razor electric dirt bike would be good.They have them in 24 volts and 36 volts?I'm pretty sure they are low rpm motors. |
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| bvan1941 Newbie Joined: 06/05/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 24 |
Eddie, No these motors (are high rpm motors) will not normally produce the (12)volts you want at an Rotor rpm of 150-250 rmpm's(OR LESS). To gain what your after without spending $50-$150 on a marginal motor (at best), skip a step like "birdhouse" suggested to you and the rest of us and look online like EBAY and find a Servo motor for less than $150, Put a 6'-8'(3- blade)"Powermax" rotor on it and then hang it all on a tower and make real useful power!! (This is all provided you have some useful winds at LEAST 9-15mph!!) We are just trying to save you all the work and then get nothing to speak of. You would see "immediate" results and be MUCH, MUCH happier. People will guide you --- IF, YOU LET THEM. We all have been through where you are and spent lots of our money to get the Knowledge.If you are looking at a first Servo Motor (actually any motor), the following guidelines will keep you from buying something that will frustrate you and pay too much. rpm's = 1500-2000rpm Max. voltage= 140V (+)(More is better) Amperage= at least 5A (more is better) This will provide a very reasonable unit that does work and won't cost you a lot of wasted time and money! YOU WILL BE A LOT HAPPIER-- Is there more? yes but, these people will help you---- "if you let them" Hope this helps you see what we mean. Bill Bill |
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| bvan1941 Newbie Joined: 06/05/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 24 |
Eddie, Don't know what amount of money you want to spend but and how quick you need to go. Just looked at Ebay and found a Servo Motor That would probably work out and give you some good output. The unit is a "ORMEC' servo motor listed for $149.99, Model # MAC-DB200Q/A, Item number: 350120521213. I only just skimmed through. There are others--don't be in a rush-- ther's a post on this Forum "A little Gem" Good info !! Helpful poeple too. Bill Bill |
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| bvan1941 Newbie Joined: 06/05/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 24 |
Eddie, I made a mistake, the article I wanted you to see and read on this Forum was "Servo Motor for wind turbine" Bill Bill |
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| Eddie Newbie Joined: 16/10/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 25 |
Thanks Bill,some good info. |
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| fused Newbie Joined: 18/02/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3 |
@bvan1941 You are right about the calculations. I have just finished building a turbine using a treadmill motor that I got off E-bay for £10.00 and it works well. Heavy kit but does the job. Has anyone tried using a motor from a wheel chair? |
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
Hi Fused Wheel chairs usually run from a 24V battery bank, meaning they are low voltage motors and wont be suitable. Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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