Alternative Power sources - Can a ceiling fan be used in wind generator

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Can a ceiling fan be used in wind generator

Ignoramus22178

2006-02-23, 2:21 pm

I would like to know if a ceiling fan (the blades on a hub, not the
motor) can be used in a wind turbine type generator as the prime
mover.

I am fully aware that the generating head would have to be something
else than the original motor on a ceiling fan. What I would like to
know if the fan itself would spin in a wind, if it has the right
geometry.

The reason for my question is idle for now, but when my son grows up,
it would be a fun project if it could be done with existing parts.

Also, are the blades on these fans able to withstand weather.

i

Anthony Matonak

2006-02-23, 3:21 pm

Ignoramus22178 wrote:
> I would like to know if a ceiling fan (the blades on a hub, not the
> motor) can be used in a wind turbine type generator as the prime
> mover.
>
> I am fully aware that the generating head would have to be something
> else than the original motor on a ceiling fan. What I would like to
> know if the fan itself would spin in a wind, if it has the right
> geometry.

This question has been asked before and the answer was that almost
anything will spin in the wind, including fire trucks, as long as
there is enough wind. They don't make very good wind turbines though
as the blades do not have an airfoil shape or varied pitch. The
opinion seems to be that you would be better off either carving your
own blades or buying blades made for a wind turbine.

> The reason for my question is idle for now, but when my son grows up,
> it would be a fun project if it could be done with existing parts.

You can get the plans and links to places to buy parts here.
http://www.scoraigwind.com/
http://www.picoturbine.com/

> Also, are the blades on these fans able to withstand weather.

Mostly these blades on ceiling fans are made from fiberboard and it
basically dissolves in water and turns back into sawdust.

Anthony

D.S.

2006-02-23, 9:21 pm

To answer your question, yes it would turn in the wind.

Would it be efficient at it?
No.

Could the motor on there be used as a generator?
Yes.

Would it be worth converting the motor? Likely not unless you rewound it
with thicker wire and bought rare-earth magnets (very powerful) and
mounted them in there just right.

To see a better option, visit:

http://www.otherpower.com and click on the "Wind" link at the lower
right for a lot of inforamtion about building your own.

Or, visit:
http://fieldlines/com

and read some of the posts there. . .

D

Anthony Matonak wrote:
> Ignoramus22178 wrote:
>
>
>
> This question has been asked before and the answer was that almost
> anything will spin in the wind, including fire trucks, as long as
> there is enough wind. They don't make very good wind turbines though
> as the blades do not have an airfoil shape or varied pitch. The
> opinion seems to be that you would be better off either carving your
> own blades or buying blades made for a wind turbine.
>
>
>
> You can get the plans and links to places to buy parts here.
> http://www.scoraigwind.com/
> http://www.picoturbine.com/
>
>
>
> Mostly these blades on ceiling fans are made from fiberboard and it
> basically dissolves in water and turns back into sawdust.
>
> Anthony

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