Building an Electric Generator

Thread Starter

wolly

Joined Jul 11, 2018
38
Why not investigate electronic circuits first? They are much simpler to do, using discrete components, small IC's, resistors, capacitors, etc.
And for the generator?I want to try Something that needs magnetic inductor,a piece that floats in Air(levitation based on magnetic field)
 

schmitt trigger

Joined Jul 12, 2010
2,027
Much, much simpler.
From a discarded toy, scavenge its DC motor. A motor, when driven, becomes a generator.

Its low power means that you can’t hurt yourself regardless of what you do.
You can easily disassemble it, and determine how it is constructed.
Then watch some YT videos explaining Faraday’s law and the principles of DC motors.
 

schmitt trigger

Joined Jul 12, 2010
2,027
I mentioned “a discarded toy”.

Or a motor from a discarded automobile accessory.
Or discarded electric toothbrush. Or discarded CD or VCR player (the tray motor).
 

WBahn

Joined Mar 31, 2012
32,706
Hi,I want to build Something from scratch.I know You need a rotor and a stator.Can You create these 2 by manual work?

MOD NOTE: Content unrelated to the question deleted.
A lot depends on what your goal is. If you are just looking to build something that spins to demonstrate the principles and ability to make a motor that "works", then there are a lot of ways to do that. The simplest that I have seen and done involves an AA battery, a cylindrical rare-earth magnet that is roughly the same diameter as the battery, and a piece of bare solid wire roughly 10 cm to 15 cm long. But if you are wanting to make a motor that is powerful enough to actually do something useful, that is a lot trickier, but still doable if the power needed is sufficiently small, poor efficiency can be tolerated, and it can be quite a bit larger than a commercially-manufactured motor of the same power would be. It also depends on what tools you have available to work with, how good you are with them, and how much time and effort you are willing to devote to the task.
 

Thread Starter

wolly

Joined Jul 11, 2018
38
If this is too difficult can I try something with a microcontroller?I know how to code but I have no idea how to create a PCB that looks green and draw it's design.Do you use copper sulfate?What are the steps?
Also I'm living in a student dorm and the experiments here are belown the standards and rules of the University.Should I contact someone experienced?
I don't want to create an electric arc or shortcircuit!
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
27,186
Certainly you can build a motor "From Scratch" !! You will need some hand tools, a file, a hacksaw and a hammer. Screwdrivers and a few wrenches. A good vise, and possibly an anvil. AND lots of time. BUT very few folks have the patience or the ability to do that sort of work.Building a working generator is entirely possible.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,797
If this is too difficult can I try something with a microcontroller?I know how to code but I have no idea how to create a PCB that looks green and draw it's design.Do you use copper sulfate?What are the steps?
Also I'm living in a student dorm and the experiments here are belown the standards and rules of the University.Should I contact someone experienced?
I don't want to create an electric arc or shortcircuit!

How to make PCBs
Completed Projects Index
25. Printed Circuit Boards (DIY)
 
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Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,797
I could use some clarification on by what you mean building a generator, do you want something that can create line voltage or just a small unit that will create low voltage?
 
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