Need help shrinking turbine generator coils?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of shrinking a turbine generator coil pack for a small turbine generator designed for a water wheel application. Participants explore potential solutions, sources for smaller components, and alternative approaches to achieve the desired size reduction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Kyle, describes the need to reduce the size of a generator coil pack for a turbine generator, expressing uncertainty about the feasibility of achieving a significant size reduction.
  • Kyle mentions that the current generator produces more power than needed, indicating a willingness to sacrifice some power for size.
  • Another participant suggests looking for hobbyist generators that may meet the power requirements, asking for clarification on the power needed.
  • Kyle specifies a power requirement of about 3W, noting the generator's current output seems unusually high for its size.
  • A suggestion is made to conduct a Google search for "miniature dc motor +3w," which yielded numerous results, prompting a question about Kyle's prior research efforts.
  • Kyle responds that he has researched home generator development but struggles to find components small enough.
  • Another participant provides a link to a page listing small motors, suggesting that most DC motors can function as generators.
  • One participant proposes dismantling an old disk drive to find small magnet and coil structures that could be adapted for Kyle's project.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various suggestions and ideas, but there is no consensus on a specific solution or approach to shrinking the generator coil pack. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached a definitive conclusion on the best method for sourcing or creating a smaller generator coil pack. The discussion reflects a range of ideas without settling on a single approach.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY generator projects, electrical engineering students, and hobbyists exploring miniature motor applications may find this discussion relevant.

Kbement
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Hey everyone,

New to the site and I'm liking what I've come across so far but I'm having some trouble with a project of mine. I'm an ME by trade but this is definitely more of an electrical engineering problem. I need to make a small turbine generator that operates in a water wheel type design that has the turbine and the magnet rotating around a generator coil pack. A unit that I purchased runs along a similar design I have in mind but I need to shrink it. My only problem (so far, there will be more) is that the generator coil pack is too large as of now. Does anyone know where to maybe find a smaller one of similar design or even possibly how to go about making one (may be more than I can handle)? I'm still a senior in college so I don't have too many connections or really the experience on where to source parts and/or services to accomplish something like this. The generator that I have produces more than enough power than what I need so I'm not worried about the power loss that will come from shrinking this. I'll post some pictures of the generator below. Here are a few dimensions.

OD = 1"
ID = .4"
Don't know how many coil turns ther are in any of the protrusions
Unit is DC so I'm guessing there's a rectifier on the circuit board??

I would really like to reduce the size of this by a third or even more. Idk if getting something that small is feasible or not. Any sugestions or guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks for your input!

Kyle
IMG_2324.JPG
IMG_2325.JPG
 
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There are hobbyist generators that may work. How much power do you require?
 
I only need about 3W. The generator I have gives me a voltage of roughly 13v with an amperage of about 4. So in theory I should have about 52W of power but it seems to good to be true, especially for its size.

Thanks,

Kyle
 
A Google search on "miniature dc motor +3w" returned 109 hits.

What research have you done so far?
 
Thanks for the help. I've done research on theory and how to develop at home generators and more complex ones. I've google searched all kinds of things but I just can't find one small enough
 
Take apart an old disk drive. You'll find small magnet and coil structures inside the motor. Might be adaptable.
 

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