What to do with an extra motor?

[noagname]

I took apart an old blender and got the motor. Now I want to find some use for it. I was originally thinking of using it to generate power like http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/02/maker_workshop_wind_power_generator.html" Before I do that I was wondering if you guys had better ideas for this motor. I have been leaning towards generating power but if you guys had better ideas on using the motor then please tell.

 

[Danger]

Hi. I've always saved stuff like that for 'just in case', and have actively purchased fans, floor polishers, or whatnot in order to obtain motors and other bits. (My absolute favourites are typewriters and video tape machines.)
My advice is to not try to figure out what to do with your motor. What works is to recognize what you need, and determine whether or not your motor is suitable for the task. If not, keep it aside and find something that works.
Always keep any associated gear trains as well. Even if they don't work in the situation that you determine for the motor, they probably will under other circumstances. And remember that gears can be cut out in order to form cams, interrupted trains, etc..
(I'm still building stuff that incorporates parts from a 1923 Smith-Corona typewriter that I disassembled more than 30 years ago. And don't even get me started about the nearly orgasmic pleasure that can be derived from utilizing the awesome motor and Gilmer-belt drive system from an IBM Selectric...)

 

[sophiecentaur]

You need to be careful with your choice of motor. Not all motors will make effective generators. An induction motor isn't much good, usually, and neither is a standard 'AC/DC' motor. You really need one with a permanent field magnet - which is much less trouble to operate. Try spinning it (on an electric drill, for instance) and see what current it will drive into a lamp or heater element before you go the whole hog with your project.
If it's no good then 'skip diving' can be very rewarding.

 

[Danger]

If it's no good then 'skip diving' can be very rewarding.

Is that what is commonly known in North America as 'dumpster diving'? That's all that we can do anymore, where I live. They started putting locks on the dump gates, and then built houses on top of the dump, so the back-alley dumpsters are all that's still fair game.
Used to be, I could stroll into the dump and walk out with a new refrigerator, or a slightly used Datsun, or an Enfield with a bent barrel just because someone didn't want it cluttering up the house any longer. Damn, but I miss those days!

 

[sophiecentaur]

I think you are referring to what we call 'totting' and, for health and safety reasons, once something has been taken to out 'facility', no one can get it out.
I am referring to the 'skips' (large steel containers - 2cubic yards-ish) that people have put in front of their houses when they are doing major clearance or sometimes kept at the rear of workplaces. They are taken away after a short while (you pay for the service). When outside in the street, you get illicit traffic in AND out of them - dammit, I paid for it! - when neighbours put their old stuff into them and others take it out. The secret is to fill it with your stuff pdq, once it is delivered and then there's no room for next door's old oven etc.
I have found some excellent stuff in a skip on occasions - even sleeping drunks!

 

[noagname]

Ok, so I hooked the motor up to the drill(1200 rpm) I got .2 volts. After doing some basic math that means I would have to go 22 mph on my bike to get 5 volts and charge my ipod. Only think I need to do now is find a simple way you lift my back tire so I can bike. I have looked all over the internet and the best diy I could find is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxIrqnZRH08". Which I could modify for just the back tire, do you guys have any better advice? And what should I do about resistance?

Now since you guys seem to be experts at skip diving and dumpster diving. Where should I start, since I live in a suburb in Indiana there aren't to many dark alleys. I have been to stores like Good Will and bought cheap speakers so I can do cymatics with cornstarch and water. Are there any other stores or junk yards where I could find equipment cheap?

 

[sophiecentaur]

Dark Alleys eh?
I never had Brighton UK down as Gotham City!
There must be somewhere local to you where all the old motors go! Have you thought of asking friends? Put the idea about that you are after old electrical gear with motors and you may get loads. Problem would be that you would have to find somewhere to ditch all the bits you didn't want!

I think your 22mph could be a bit optimistic, even. You really need to test a lot of different motors. The best dynamo, of course, does not use brushes, has a fixed coil and a rotating magnet. This gives ac, which you can then bridge rectify.
A note of caution - you need to make sure you don't over-volt the ipod or it could be an expensive bit of money saving! A fat 5V battery across the line would prevent overvolts.

 

[noagname]

I have been looking around for stores, for my Ipod I was going to use something like an lm7805 so I don't over-volt my ipod. Oh I was wonder how does amperage work with generators?
I wish I was Batman with all of that money then I could have specialized motor made right in front of me instead of salvaging old parts.