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Forum Index : Windmills : Are these motors any use?
| Author | Message | ||||
| MarkColeman Newbie  Joined: 11/11/2008 Location: Posts: 1 |
I've been looking for a motor to build my first turbine. I think the best ones i will find for a sensible price are treadmill motors. Could someone with more experience than me look at the ones i've short listed and tell me if they are any good? 1 2 3 4 Thanks, Mark. |
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GWatPE Senior Member  Joined: 01/09/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2127 |
All are high rpm operation, may work for 12V system, but probably < 100W output. Gordon. become more energy aware |
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philb Regular Member  Joined: 05/07/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 96 |
Treadmill motors can work. Your first one listed is 260 volts/5100 rpm=.05 volts per rpm. If you prop spins at, let's say 600 rpm, you should get about 30 volts open circuit. As Gordon said, you will not get much power, but it's a good place to start. Don't forget to put a diode in line between the motor and the batteries...otherwise your motor will spin until the battery is exhausted. I was able to find a Leeson for my first one. You might check for them also. http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/6/10/14292/5213 http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/7/19/12735/4845 philb |
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| GWatPE Senior Member Joined: 01/09/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2127 |
These type of motors are not really suitable. Measure the winding resistance. It will probably be several ohms. Do the calc. V=IxR At say 5amps, this may be up to 10V, for a 2ohm resistance. Not much left for a battery. You may get some power to light some LED's. The 4-5000rpm operation is a giveaway re unsuitability for direct drive at 4-500rpm. Look for a motor with permanent magnets without brushes. This will have electronic commutation and will likely be designed for a lower operating rpm. The motor will be physically larger than these treadmill motors that have belts and gearing. Look for motors with a higher power rating and low operating rpm when you search EBay. Gordon. become more energy aware |
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