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Hi William,

As you probably remember I have built a number of hand-crank generators over the years. Over time the design has modified. While I originally used DC motors for these machines I changed to using PM alternators made by Gerator Corp in the early '90s when I built the Tower of Power at the Ford Museum. This unit allows visitors to crank up to about 1 HP (746 watts) and there were 19 40-watt bulbs set up to electronically switch on in sequence. While these alternators are expensive (around $ 1,500 each!) they are extremely reliable and the firm will wind to your required voltage.

The opposite end of the spectrum is similar to the unit George refers to. But this exhibit uses a small PM gear motor sold by McMaster-Carr. These little motors are extremely robust and last for years and best of all, they are reasonably priced. At the moment I cannot remember the exact part number but 6331-K-32 is certainly very close. Let me know if you want more info and I'll track the exact unit down. These cost about $ 60.00 each and they handily generate 3 to 6 volts with enough uumph to drive small DC fans, light bulbs and the like. I'm sure they would run a small radio and or LEDs too. 

You have to come up with some sort of mount and also buy a hand-wheel for the kids to turn but they are the nuts!

John B

--
John Bowditch
Exhibits Director
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
220 East Ann Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734.995.5439
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pager: (734) 670-4555

The views and representations stated in this e-mail are the individual's. They do not bind the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum or its Board, staff or volunteers, and they do not necessarily reflect the Museum's institutionally-held viewpoints, opinions or policies.

> ----------
> From: 	Informal Science Education Network on behalf of George Wurtak
> Reply To: 	Informal Science Education Network
> Sent: 	Friday, October 14, 2005 10:15 PM
> To: 	[log in to unmask]
> Subject: 	Re: motors
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> William, years ago we developed a couple of bicycle generators using car
> alternators.  On one we had a series of LED's that lit sequentially as the
> electricity was generated.  The number of watts were marked so that visitors
> would know how much energy is required (from them) to produce different
> amounts of electricity (e.g. a 60w light bulb).  We hooked up the other bike
> generator to a 12v camera/tv system purchased at Radio Shack.  Visitors
> loved to see themselves on TV, and it was a great hit. They were both very
> well received. And many years later were still in service.
> 
> I also developed a hand-crank generator -based exhibit where visitors would
> wire up a circuit (either parallel or series) of lights and other devices -
> including a cassette tape player (radio signal were unreliable) and then
> turn the generator to provide the power.  I think the generator was a 6v
> Genecon, from Ward's Scientific supply.  It looked kind of cheap (in a
> plastic pistol shape) but it actually held up very reliable for many years.
> We mounted it to an acrylic box to support it.
> 
> -George
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> Date:    Wed, 12 Oct 2005 14:04:32 -0400
> From:    William Katzman <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: motors
> 
> We are looking to re-create a hand-cranked electrical generator for an
> exhibit.  So what I'm looking for is a 12 Volt motor that people have used
> successfully on the floor as an electrical generator.
> 
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