GS electric treadmill motor for wind generator

[benizzldashizzl]

@banshee8989 Good idea! Thanks

[benizzldashizzl]

*suggestions?

[benizzldashizzl]

Where do you find one of these? I'm planning on building a windmill for a science project and I want to try to do it cheap. Do you have any suggestionsz

[banshee8989]

@benizzldashizzl Put an add up on craigslist for free treadmill removal. You will find people who just want them gone and who cant move them. Take it apart or move it with a Dolly, bring it home, take the motor out, and recycle the rest. Ive done it 100s of times.

[fairyheli2]

do you use a rectifier to stop battery current from spinning the motor?

[boobtoucherofnarnia]

@fairyheli2 you could and prolly should but dont need one if your using a controller which you should be using

[banshee8989]

@fairyheli2 A cheap controller off of ebay, or a diode.

[Tdoggy64]

I have the same one, they are not user friendly as far as making a right hand turn shaft for, as these have reversable threads, am trying to use it for a pool pump, that uses the shaft of the old motor to twist onto, anyhow good luck with your project!

[casinohijack]

I have a bunch of motors from Walmart checkouts i wonder if they would work for something like this?

[losttreasurehunt]

I use the same motor on one of my windmills it really works well if it is geared up,produces alot of amps.Have seen in 15to 20 mph wind produce 16 volts with a load with 4 to 5 amps which is pretty good for charging batteries,the more wind more power and more amps

[ncblu66]

one thing i did find out, mine is loaded through a charge controller and when the batteries are down and current is full there is some back emf that loads the motor and it isnt as free as it is with just a volt meter attached - but damn it's a good motor and worth its weight. anyone want to buy a used treadmill sans motor- cheap!

[bearhamo]

How did you get the pulley off? Thanks.

[ncblu66]

@bearhamo there is a exyension of the shaft on the backside, a pair of vise grips or other means will secure the shaft while you unscrew the pulley, spray a little penetrating oil on the threads, go for lunch and it should come off with a few love taps to the pulley ( i just got one and got it off that way )

[bearhamo]

@ncblu66 Thanks. I finally figured it out the day after I asked.

[helloman1976]

How are you going to get 6,700rpms out of a wind turbine? Even gearing won't get you that many rpms.

[rocknrolldaddio]

that's pretty cool. i just removed the same motor from my treadmill. heck, it wasn't doing me any good standing in the corner. so, with my project i think i'll use the speed controller too. thank you for sharing.