building a generator

ben23

Apr 3, 2007
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how do I use a standard 240v single phase ac motor driven by a petrol engine to create 240vac between the active (hot) and neutral wires of the motor?
if i got a 2400w motor and drove it at the appropriate speed would it push out the full 10 amps that it would normally draw. (maximum capacity of australian powerpoints in the house, except for 15a air con / specialty sockets)

is there any components i need to make it work and is there anything i need to watch out for?

thanks
ben

 

audioguru2

Apr 6, 2004
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There is a project on the internet about using a big AC motor as a generator. It has "residual" magnetism that starts it generating then it makes its own strong magnetism as it gets going.

 

AN920

May 15, 2005
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If you take an induction motor and drive it faster than it synchronous speed it becomes a generator or also called a "asynchronous generator" To use this as a generator without any external AC source you need something to supply the reactive power. This can be done by capacitive loading.

 

Kevin Weddle

Feb 23, 2004
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I think the rotor would have to be of the permanent magnet type. Sometimes it's all electromagnetic, which requires AC power. Let us know if it works.

 

AN920

May 15, 2005
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It works because of the residual magnetism remaining in the motor without the need for any external excitation.

 

ben23

Apr 3, 2007
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any idea where to get a large capacity induction motor, do dryers have large induction motors?, single phase aircon would have a beefy one, if it wasnt hermetically sealed with the compressor

 

audioguru2

Apr 6, 2004
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My funace blower motor is powerful and I think it would make a good alternator. It is rated for 1200W. Electrical repair shops have rebuilt ones at good prices.

 

steven2

Jan 19, 2004
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:) i would try useing a motor to turn a car ac alternator and with its biult in regulator use it to recharge a car battery then from the battery use a 12 to 240 volts invertor and from that ya have house hold ac power output

 

ben23

Apr 3, 2007
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yer that was my first idea but i dont want the added weight of a battery and inverter, rather just have the engine, induction motor (alternator) and capacitor bank and have it wired to a standard power point

 

ante1

Jan 24, 2004
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Hi Ben,

A car alternator can be used as a three-phase AC alternator if the diodes are removed. It is also possible to re-wind it to suit the voltage required. If you don

 
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