Generator - Revision history

Compendivm: /* Electric generator */ added some extra info in the "matherials needed for an Electric Generator" section, needs peer-review

2025-06-30T13:39:02Z

Electric generator: added some extra info in the "matherials needed for an Electric Generator" section, needs peer-review

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:39, 30 June 2025
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	----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''		----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''

	In a survival or civilization-rebuilding context, constructing an efficient generator from scratch is often unrealistic due to the need for machine shop tools. More viable approaches include repairing an existing generator or repurposing an electric motor to work as a generator.		In a survival or civilization-rebuilding context, constructing an efficient generator from scratch is often unrealistic due to the need for machine shop tools. More viable approaches include repairing an existing generator or repurposing an electric motor to work as a generator. However, it's possible to build a rough prototype by using an [[iron]] core (Note: you can replace the typical aproach of this model with a magnet, but its difficult to get one stronger enough in the nature), some [[copper]] wires and wooden fan blades. If you are in a zone with high-speed winds, it's prefered to make the generator like a small eolic turbine; but if is not the case, you could boil water with [[charcoal]] and use the steam to powered the turbine.
	----'''Generator Repair'''		----'''Generator Repair'''

179.49.41.127: Added a Category (Technology).

2025-05-28T17:42:33Z

Added a Category (Technology).

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:42, 28 May 2025
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	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNjMLtHFxkU Can You Magnetize Iron Just By Tapping It?] - The Action Lab, 30 January 2022, YouTube		* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNjMLtHFxkU Can You Magnetize Iron Just By Tapping It?] - The Action Lab, 30 January 2022, YouTube
	* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akssAq4MIdA Dr. STONE Generator] - Sammzor, 7 January 2021, YouTube		* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akssAq4MIdA Dr. STONE Generator] - Sammzor, 7 January 2021, YouTube
			[[Category:Stubs]]
	[[Category:Physics]]		[[Category:Physics]]
	[[Category:~~Stubs~~]]		[[Category:Technology]]

DavisR: /* Electric generator */ alternative types of electric generators

2025-05-11T07:16:30Z

Electric generator: alternative types of electric generators

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:16, 11 May 2025
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	The main consideration before building an electric generator is determining the characteristics of the device to be powered. Loads can be classified as inductive or resistive, may require alternating or direct current, and differ in terms of required voltage, current (amperage), frequency, number of phases, and sensitivity to voltage fluctuations or electrical noise.		The main consideration before building an electric generator is determining the characteristics of the device to be powered. Loads can be classified as inductive or resistive, may require alternating or direct current, and differ in terms of required voltage, current (amperage), frequency, number of phases, and sensitivity to voltage fluctuations or electrical noise.

	The second consideration is the energy source that will power the generator. Thermodynamic laws state that the energy invested in spinning the generator will always be greater than the generator’s electrical output. Therefore, realistic expectations must be set regarding the size of the loads that can be powered. For example, a crank-driven generator (10 watts) is typically only sufficient to power a small FM radio or charge a cellphone—usage being limited by the physical endurance of the person cranking it. Powering larger loads such as a computer or refrigerator (100–1000 watts) would require an internal combustion engine.		The second consideration is the energy source that will power the generator. Thermodynamic laws state that the energy invested in spinning the generator will always be greater than the generator’s electrical output. Therefore, realistic expectations must be set regarding the size of the loads that can be powered. For example, a crank-driven generator (10 watts) is typically only sufficient to power a small FM radio or charge a cellphone—usage being limited by the physical endurance of the person cranking it. Powering larger loads such as a computer or refrigerator (100–1000 watts) would require an internal combustion engine or a sophisticated gearbox system, powered by an external source. A gearbox mechanism is designed to convert a substantial, slow-moving force into significantly faster speeds with reduced torque. (i.e. horse treadmill, gravity battery, hydropower turbine)
	----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''		----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''

73.27.37.1: a generator -> an efficient generator (inefficient, imprecise generators can be made with hand tools)

2025-05-10T21:42:10Z

a generator -> an efficient generator (inefficient, imprecise generators can be made with hand tools)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 10 May 2025
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	----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''		----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''

	In a survival or civilization-rebuilding context, constructing a generator from scratch is often unrealistic due to the need for machine shop tools. More viable approaches include repairing an existing generator or repurposing an electric motor to work as a generator.		In a survival or civilization-rebuilding context, constructing an efficient generator from scratch is often unrealistic due to the need for machine shop tools. More viable approaches include repairing an existing generator or repurposing an electric motor to work as a generator.
	----'''Generator Repair'''		----'''Generator Repair'''

Xadaemon: Add some information about AC frequency stability and about connecting two generators together.

2025-05-07T16:37:03Z

Add some information about AC frequency stability and about connecting two generators together.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:37, 7 May 2025
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	[[File:Motor as generator 2.jpg\|thumb\|Picture showing an electric motor attached to a bicycle wheel to power a light bulb]]		[[File:Motor as generator 2.jpg\|thumb\|Picture showing an electric motor attached to a bicycle wheel to power a light bulb]]
	The electric current produced by a repurposed motor may not be suitable for immediate use. The first priority is implementing a way to measure the generator’s power output to avoid damaging connected equipment. Second in order of priority is to regulate the generator’s rotational speed, as this directly affects the voltage and frequency of the output. Third will be converting / rectifying the current from AC to DC, and stepping down to the exact required voltage.		The electric current produced by a repurposed motor may not be suitable for immediate use. The first priority is implementing a way to measure the generator’s power output to avoid damaging connected equipment. Second in order of priority is to regulate the generator’s rotational speed, as this directly affects the voltage and frequency of the output. Third will be converting / rectifying the current from AC to DC, and stepping down to the exact required voltage.

			'''AC current frequency stability'''

			AC current also has a frequency, i.e how many times a second it oscillates from positive to negative, contemporary systems in north America run on 60Hz, in Europe it is 50Hz, when rectifying power into AC from DC you need to make sure it doesn't deviate too much from the frequency as well as the voltage, generally speaking the more modern the connected equipment the more sensitive to frequency swings it will be, most generators that have a built-in rectifier will also keep frequency in check, if the generator and or rectifier is improvised avoid plugging in any load that converts AC to DC power as that can cause at best the equipment to not work and at worst overheat/destroy the power supply.

			'''Connecting two or more generators together'''

			AC generators should not be connected together, unless they are first synchronized and then kept in synchrony both in phase and frequency, in a survival scenario this can be checked with incandescent lightbulbs connected to both generators, one per phase and then adjusting one of the generators until all the bulbs go dark, at that moment the generators are roughly in sync, they can then be connected together, however if a synchroscope can be salvaged that is a much better and precise way to achieve this synchrony, they are usually found at powerplants and other facilities that generate power be it for grid purposes or if a facility has multiple generators and is older it should also have some sort of synchroscope that can be salvaged and just reused.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Menticol: Added pictures of a small motor used as generator

2025-05-06T20:40:29Z

Added pictures of a small motor used as generator

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 6 May 2025
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	The principle of electromagnetic induction allows an electric motor to convert electrical power into rotational movement—and this principle can also work in reverse. Some electric motors will generate electrical current at their terminals when the shaft is spun by an external force. The power output will correlate with rotational speed, and increasing the load will make the motor harder to turn.		The principle of electromagnetic induction allows an electric motor to convert electrical power into rotational movement—and this principle can also work in reverse. Some electric motors will generate electrical current at their terminals when the shaft is spun by an external force. The power output will correlate with rotational speed, and increasing the load will make the motor harder to turn.
	~~----'''Rectification and Voltage Regulation'''~~		[[File:Motor as generator 1.jpg\|border\|thumb\|Picture showing an electric motor attached to a bicycle wheel to power a light bulb]]
			[[File:Motor as generator 2.jpg\|thumb\|Picture showing an electric motor attached to a bicycle wheel to power a light bulb]]
	The electric current produced by a repurposed motor may not be suitable for immediate use. The first priority is implementing a way to measure the generator’s power output to avoid damaging connected equipment. It is ~~also essential~~ to regulate the generator’s rotational speed, as this directly affects the voltage and frequency of the output.		The electric current produced by a repurposed motor may not be suitable for immediate use. The first priority is implementing a way to measure the generator’s power output to avoid damaging connected equipment. Second in order of priority is to regulate the generator’s rotational speed, as this directly affects the voltage and frequency of the output. Third will be converting / rectifying the current from AC to DC, and stepping down to the exact required voltage.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Menticol: Corrected grammar

2025-05-06T20:29:43Z

Corrected grammar

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 6 May 2025
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	=== Electric generator ===		=== Electric generator ===

			The main consideration before building an electric generator is determining the characteristics of the device to be powered. Loads can be classified as inductive or resistive, may require alternating or direct current, and differ in terms of required voltage, current (amperage), frequency, number of phases, and sensitivity to voltage fluctuations or electrical noise.

			The second consideration is the energy source that will power the generator. Thermodynamic laws state that the energy invested in spinning the generator will always be greater than the generator’s electrical output. Therefore, realistic expectations must be set regarding the size of the loads that can be powered. For example, a crank-driven generator (10 watts) is typically only sufficient to power a small FM radio or charge a cellphone—usage being limited by the physical endurance of the person cranking it. Powering larger loads such as a computer or refrigerator (100–1000 watts) would require an internal combustion engine.
			----'''Materials Needed for an Electric Generator'''

	~~The main consideration before building an electric~~ generator is ~~determining the characteristics of~~ the ~~device to be powered~~. ~~Loads can be classified as inductive~~ or ~~resistive, requiring alternating or direct current, how many volts, amps and frequency are required, the number of phases, and the load sensitivity~~ to ~~voltage fluctuations or electrical noise~~.		In a survival or civilization-rebuilding context, constructing a generator from scratch is often unrealistic due to the need for machine shop tools. More viable approaches include repairing an existing generator or repurposing an electric motor to work as a generator.
			----'''Generator Repair'''

			The main parts of a generator include an internal combustion engine, the generator unit itself, and control circuitry. To produce power, all three components must function as an integrated system.

	~~The second consideration is what energy source will be powering~~ the ~~generator~~. ~~Thermodynamic laws state that the energy invested by spinning the generator will always~~ be ~~higher than the generator electrical output, so realistic expectations must be set regarding the size of the loads that could be powered~~. ~~For example, a crank driven generator (10 watts) will usually~~ be ~~only enough to power a small FM radio~~ or charge a cellphone during a time span directly limited by the physical endurance of the human cranking the generator. Powering bigger loads like a computer or refrigerator (100-1000 watts) would require an internal combustion engine.		Internal combustion engines require fuel, oil, air, and ignition via an electrical spark. Old gasoline can corrode and clog the internal components. The air filter may be clogged with dust and vegetation—clean as needed. The spark plug might be dirty or disconnected, preventing ignition.

	~~===== Materials needed for an Electric Generator =====~~		The generator and its control circuitry typically do not contain user-serviceable parts, especially in a survival scenario.

			''See: Gasoline Engine''

	~~On a survival / civilization rebuilding context, constructing the generator from scratch is unrealistic due the need of machine shop tools. More viable approaches are repairing~~ an ~~existing generator, or repurposing en electric motor to work~~ as a ~~generator.~~		''See: Full-Wave Rectification''
			----'''Repurposing an Electric Motor as a Generator'''

	~~==== Generator repair ====~~		The principle of electromagnetic induction allows an electric motor to convert electrical power into rotational movement—and this principle can also work in reverse. Some electric motors will generate electrical current at their terminals when the shaft is spun by an external force. The power output will correlate with rotational speed, and increasing the load will make the motor harder to turn.
			----'''Rectification and Voltage Regulation'''

			The electric current produced by a repurposed motor may not be suitable for immediate use. The first priority is implementing a way to measure the generator’s power output to avoid damaging connected equipment. It is also essential to regulate the generator’s rotational speed, as this directly affects the voltage and frequency of the output.


	~~The main parts of a generator include an internal combustion engine, the generator itself, and control circuitry. In order to produce power these three components need to be working as a whole.~~

	Internal combustion engines do require fuel,oil, air, and ignition by an electrical spark. Old gasoline will corrode and clog the internal parts of the generator. Air filter may have dirty caused by durst and vegetation. Clean as required. Spark plug may be dirty or disconnected preventing the spark

	~~The generator and its control circuitry does not usually contain user serviceable parts during a survival scenario.~~

	~~See Gasoline Engine~~

	~~See Full Wave Rectification~~

	~~===== Repurposing an electric motor as a generator =====~~


	The principle of electromagnetic induction allows an electric motor to convert electrical power into rotational movement. This principle also works backwards, some electric motors will produce an electrical current on their terminals when the shaft is spun by an external force. The amount of power generated by the motor will be correlated to the rotational speed, and increasing the load will subsequently make the electric motor harder to turn.

	~~==== Rectification and voltage regulation ====~~

	The electric current produced by the repurposed motor may not be adequate for immediate use. The first consideration is getting a way to measure the generator power output, to prevent the destruction of the equipment connected to the generator. On this regard adding a method to regulate the speed of the generator, which in turn will govern the voltage and frequency of the generated power.
	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Menticol: Added missing texts

2025-05-06T20:26:06Z

Added missing texts

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:26, 6 May 2025
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	The main consideration before building an electric generator is determining the characteristics of the device to be powered. Loads can be classified as inductive or resistive, requiring alternating or direct current, how many volts and ~~amps~~ are required, and the load sensitivity to voltage fluctuations or electrical noise.
			The main consideration before building an electric generator is determining the characteristics of the device to be powered. Loads can be classified as inductive or resistive, requiring alternating or direct current, how many volts, amps and frequency are required, the number of phases, and the load sensitivity to voltage fluctuations or electrical noise.


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	~~The main parts of a generator include an internal combustion engine, the generator itself, and control circuitry. In order to produce power these three components need to be working as a whole.~~

			The main parts of a generator include an internal combustion engine, the generator itself, and control circuitry. In order to produce power these three components need to be working as a whole.

			Internal combustion engines do require fuel,oil, air, and ignition by an electrical spark. Old gasoline will corrode and clog the internal parts of the generator. Air filter may have dirty caused by durst and vegetation. Clean as required. Spark plug may be dirty or disconnected preventing the spark

			The generator and its control circuitry does not usually contain user serviceable parts during a survival scenario.

	See Gasoline Engine		See Gasoline Engine
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	==== Rectification and voltage regulation ====		==== Rectification and voltage regulation ====

			The electric current produced by the repurposed motor may not be adequate for immediate use. The first consideration is getting a way to measure the generator power output, to prevent the destruction of the equipment connected to the generator. On this regard adding a method to regulate the speed of the generator, which in turn will govern the voltage and frequency of the generated power.
	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Menticol: Added types of generators and their construction under non ideal survival conditions (WIP)

2025-05-06T20:12:09Z

Added types of generators and their construction under non ideal survival conditions (WIP)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:12, 6 May 2025
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	'''Generators''' are devices that create or convert one type of [[energy]] into another. For instance, an electric generator transforms mechanical energy into electric power for use in an external circuit.		'''Generators''' are devices that create or convert one type of [[energy]] into another. For instance, an electric generator transforms mechanical energy into electric power for use in an external circuit.

			=== Electric generator ===


			The main consideration before building an electric generator is determining the characteristics of the device to be powered. Loads can be classified as inductive or resistive, requiring alternating or direct current, how many volts and amps are required, and the load sensitivity to voltage fluctuations or electrical noise.


			The second consideration is what energy source will be powering the generator. Thermodynamic laws state that the energy invested by spinning the generator will always be higher than the generator electrical output, so realistic expectations must be set regarding the size of the loads that could be powered. For example, a crank driven generator (10 watts) will usually be only enough to power a small FM radio or charge a cellphone during a time span directly limited by the physical endurance of the human cranking the generator. Powering bigger loads like a computer or refrigerator (100-1000 watts) would require an internal combustion engine.

			===== Materials needed for an Electric Generator =====


			On a survival / civilization rebuilding context, constructing the generator from scratch is unrealistic due the need of machine shop tools. More viable approaches are repairing an existing generator, or repurposing en electric motor to work as a generator.

			==== Generator repair ====


			The main parts of a generator include an internal combustion engine, the generator itself, and control circuitry. In order to produce power these three components need to be working as a whole.


			See Gasoline Engine

			See Full Wave Rectification

			===== Repurposing an electric motor as a generator =====


			The principle of electromagnetic induction allows an electric motor to convert electrical power into rotational movement. This principle also works backwards, some electric motors will produce an electrical current on their terminals when the shaft is spun by an external force. The amount of power generated by the motor will be correlated to the rotational speed, and increasing the load will subsequently make the electric motor harder to turn.

			==== Rectification and voltage regulation ====


	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

NeedSleep: /* Dependencies */

2025-05-05T14:53:34Z

Dependencies

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:53, 5 May 2025
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	* '''Generator'''		* '''Generator'''
	* [[Energy]]		* [[Energy]]
			* [[Fuel]]

	== See also ==		== See also ==