Just like the subject says, I am not sure when you would use one over the other for generating a DC voltage. I am working on a prop for next Christmas where a user turns a crank which would then ultimately drive a series of lights (I haven't decided how I want to handle that part yet).

I had thought that a dynamo was the way to go, but there was a similar prop at a children's museum I went to and supposidly they used a DC Permanent Magnet Motor, DC Speed Control (0 to 24/VDC Voltage Output,10 Max. Amps), and a prop controller: http://www.efx-tek.com/php/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2

OK, the prop controller makes sense, it is probably what they are using to drive the different 12V LED bulbs they were using, but I don't see what they used a motor and motor controller vs a dynamo.

Any thoughts?

 

Sure a DC motor (maybe cheaper and readily available than a proper DC generator) can be used as a DC voltage source but the output voltage can vary greatly with crank speed and the current load. The DC Speed controller acts as a voltage regulator (DC in from the generator aka motor, DC out to the load) for the prop controller and lights.

 

A dynamos output can be controlled by it's field winding, a motor can't.

If you just want to illuminate leds, like on a bicycle use a permanent magnet dynamo or motor.

 

The cheapest is the P.M. DC motor, a BLDC motor will output 3ph AC.
The greater the load (current) the greater the effort needed to rotate it.
Max.

 

If it is low power, try a stepper motor.
If you use a 25V one from an old printer, and a 3 phase bridge rectifier fed into a filter cap and maybe a regulator is needed, that will power the LEDs ok. I had a wind generator in the back yard driving LEDs as an ornament. It ran for a few years until a storm broke it.

 

Thanks for reading and chiming in folks! I guess some more info from me would be helpful.

I was planning on having something like a wooden Christmas tree cutout with staggered bulbs going up. As the user cranked the arm, they could light the bulbs up sequentially (think like a bell ringing strong-man prop at a fair with a sledge hammer). I haven't thought through how I plan to turn on the "next" bulb or what "turning on" means (a micro controlling a relay, or let the bulbs turn on in a more organic fashion), but I am open to suggestions.

I am looking to not overcomplicate this (which I tend to do), but to learn some in the process. I am a digital guy, so some of this is new concepts to me.

Thanks again!

 

You could look at one of these...
https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm3914.pdf

 

Thanks for reading and chiming in folks! I guess some more info from me would be helpful.

I was planning on having something like a wooden Christmas tree cutout with staggered bulbs going up. As the user cranked the arm, they could light the bulbs up sequentially (think like a bell ringing strong-man prop at a fair with a sledge hammer). I haven't thought through how I plan to turn on the "next" bulb or what "turning on" means (a micro controlling a relay, or let the bulbs turn on in a more organic fashion), but I am open to suggestions.

I am looking to not overcomplicate this (which I tend to do), but to learn some in the process. I am a digital guy, so some of this is new concepts to me.

Thanks again!

For sequential bulb/led lighting up, you can use a LM3914 chip in bar mode, they can light up 10 leds, as long as the dynamo gives out 5 to 12v.

 

If using LM3914 with a wall wart, then dynamo only needs to supply control V, 0 to 5 V ?

 

If using LM3914 with a wall wart, then dynamo only needs to supply control V, 0 to 5 V ?

Yes

 

This sounds like a good approach, and mirrors somw things I've see elsewhere. What would you do if the dynamo ends up putting out more than 5v?

 

What would you do if the dynamo ends up putting out more than 5v?

Feed the dynamo you via a 1K resistor to a shunt 4.7V or 5.2V zener to limit the volts. That will help protect the input too if they turn the handle the wrong way (if you use a DC motor).