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Question: Can a ceiling fan motor be converted to work as a turbine to generate electricity?

(Posted by: Rob on 2010-03-09 21:22:23)

Posted by: mariskalen kampf Strudl v.Wurst! on 2010-03-10, 06:24:59

A ceiling fan - induction - motor cannot "be converted to work as a turbine " It can become a power generator when, connected to the grid, you drive it past their synchronous speed, developing a braking torque and feeding power back into the grid. The question is "what will you use to drive it ". A turbine? Wind? Water? Steam? That is the hard part. Since you are talking about a ceiling fan, I presume you want to drive it with wind. Well, let me tell you, you will need A LOT of wind just to get a meager amount of energy. . . .

Posted by: Greg on 2010-03-09, 21:24:17

Theoretically yes, but the amount of power it would output would be almost useless...

Posted by: miki :) on 2010-03-09, 21:25:51

Yes it can. My dad made one and it was quite complex. He used the motor but made new, heavier blades for it that twisted more. He then set it up to a generator somehow. I don't know much about it, but yeah its possible.

Posted by: billrussell42 on 2010-03-10, 04:28:34

Usual motor that is in a ceiling fan is an induction motor, and my understanding is that they will not function as a generator. .