steps in converting an electric motor to an electric generator?

Question

example: can i convert an electic fans electric motor to a generator

Answer 1

OK after much searching found a close answer or at least the foundation to a close answer.

http://amasci.com/amateur/coilgen.html

So if theory is correct by making the center of the motor, ht bundle of wires stationary, or re-wrapping the core of the motor in such a way that you had two wires extending out, to connect to whatever you were looking to power.

Then spinning the outer casing, where the magnets are attached, you would in theory go from a motor to a generator. Of course this is all speculation, hope your test go well.

Answer 2

Depends on the type of motor. Small induction motors such as are used in fans and the like won't work because you can't get the rotor to sustain a magnetic field. What you need is a motor with a wound rotor which is fed by brushes. If you've got that, you can apply current to the rotor through the brushes, and when you spin the rotor you will get a voltage induced in the armature windings. If you want to get any serious power, pungle up and buy a generator designed for the purpose -- it'll work better.

Answer 3

simple, excite the field/armature and rotate the shaft the correct speed to achieve the power you need. The best motor would be a synchronous motor, regular squirrel cage motors are not capable. This works great when you need 3ph power where it is not available. Actually a wound rotor motor like in an electric drill will also work. Basically if there are brushes on the motor it can be done...good luck

Answer 4

Small motors using permanent magnets often can be used as generators by mechanically turning the shafts. Small AC motors such as used in a fan often have no permanent magnets and may in fact be shaded pole motors not likely to work as generators.

Answer 5

In a coal fired power station coal is burned to heat water and produce steam the steam pressure is used to push a turbine that rotates a generator that produces electricity. This is an "external" combustion process and is known as a rakine cycle. The process tends to be from about 30% to a maximum of about 50% efficient. In a portable generator gasoline (petrol) or sometimes other fuels are fed into an internal combustion engine and exploded in cylinders. This forces pistons down that force a crankshaft to turn. This rotation is also used to power a generator. The process in the internal combustion engine is known as the otto cycle. The process has a maximum efficiency of about 27% but when we use the engine in a car the efficiency can be reduced to below 15% due to transmissions and other moving parts. \ The Rankine cycle is more efficient with fewer moving parts. Coal is a more polluting fuel for each BTU of energy but it is more easily controlled in central power stations. Portable generators often don't even have the pollution controls that exist on a car. Electricity from big coal power stations can be produced cheaply. In the US this may be as low as 2 to 3 cents per kilowatt-hour. The fuel costs to supply electricity from some portable generators may be over 75 cents per kilowatt-hour before we even consider the cost of the generator. Coal fired power plants are used for the cheapest base load power to the electric grid. Portable generators are used for emergency power where it is needed for a short time.

Answer 6

Not all motors can be converted in to generators. Most DC motors can be converted in to generator.

Answer 7

What type of motor is it? DC/AC? Three phase? Single Phase?