Hi all,
I have gotten hold of an AC magnet motor. I am wondering if it could be run as a DC motor.. The reason is, when this motor is spun by hand, 12 volts come out. So, as a motor/generator on something like an electric bicycle it would be useful.
With all thanks,
Dan

 

You mean that the rotor is built of a magnet? If yes the answer is no.

 

Yes, the rotor has definite N/S poles, So, if no to DC operation, how about some type of hybrid? Like a DC pulse? And why not? Not to be an A--, just do not understand why.
Dan

 

You can approximate a sine wave by PWM to drive the motor (if you know how to do it and its not easy) but there are ready devices on the market called inverters which make this job.

 

Hey mik3,
Yes, very well acquainted with inverters, and thank you for the response. I would be glad to have some knowledge as to why this motor is so foreign to straight DC operation. And, yes, I have done much research on inverting AC to DC motors. I do run into a wall when sine wave inverters are mentioned.
Dan

 

Hey mik3,
I would be glad to have some knowledge as to why this motor is so foreign to straight DC operation.

The magnet rotor to rotate needs a rotating field around it which is created by the stator. This field can be created only with AC voltages which are out of phase, in the case of a 3-phase system, or by a single phase with the help of a capacitor. If you apply a DC voltage the field will be stationary and also you will burn the stator windings. Some motors can operate with both AC and DC voltages and are called universal motors.

 

Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. Iguess I'll just use it as a generator.
Dan

 

Note that it will be an AC generator.

 

So, which of the three leads do I use for output? Or all three?
Dan

 

Is it a single phase motor?

 

I believe so. Three leads, capacitor between two leads. All leads in any configuration read 0 ohms on my meter. Thanks again for tyhe help.
Dan

 

Use the red and yellow wires which are the run winding of the motor. You can use also the red-blue wires but the internal resistance of the winding is greater. Remove the capacitor.

 

Thanks again
Dan