Hello live from VT

[mjwaters2]

Hello all, my name is Mike, from the southern VT. Been here for for a few years, looking forward to many more in a clean, organic world.

I am a lover, like many, looking for the good things in life. I have been lazy in the past, but have found the right time to turn it around for the best.

After many experiments and experiences, Ive come to a new project that I hope will turn into a reasonable and practical modifacation to a simple in home device, the Treadmill. I read a bit on converting bikes to produce harnessed power, but am curious if the dc permanent magnet motor in the mill could produce power somehow by turning it (by running on the thing). I took the driveterrain cover off the treadmill, unplugged the wires to it, and rotated the motor, this produced no felt electricity when holding the wires together. I know this is very beginner of me, but its all I could think of.

Does anyone know anything about this that could help me out?

Thanks for any responses. I look forward to being a tuned in contributer of the cause

[gug]

Hi Mike,

I'm no expert in these matters, but If the dc motor that you pulled out is less than about 48 volts i dont think you'll feel much. If its any more than that, you really dont want to go attaching yourself to it - it starts to get dangerious around that point.

If you wanted to charge 12volt batteries with it then you need to be producing about 14 volts minimum, however, nice idea that it is, to be honest people have tried such things before (usually bicycle generators) - which are more efficient and to be frank its a lot of hard work for a small amount of power. However... if you're a bit handy , there are a lot of people that turn such motors into wind turbines. The net is full of them, youtube is pretty informative. Do a search for a guy called humbertini900 - he's made a few windturbines out of such motors.

good luck!

[CyberPaddy66]

Hello.

Nice idea about the wind turbine but make sure you have permission from your local council if you don't own own own land.

[mjwaters2]

yes, the wind turbine is awesome, but where I live in the city and there is no wind there. Id like to be able to combine good physical phitness with energy harnessing, if it can be done. A 15 minute jog for an hours reading lamp, I think it can be done.