Electrical Generator

[N36fSL3A]

Is an electrical generator an electric motor? I need this to make a wind turbine.

That's all. Thanks in advance.

[coder777]

a generator is the opposite of a motor. It produces electricity while a motor consumes it.

for a small wind turbine you may use the dynamo from a bicycle

[JChMathae]

An electric motor is an electric generator, and vice versa.
The only thing that changes is the direction of the flow of energy.

[chrisname]

They're the same thing, but in reverse. A motor uses current to induce a varying magnetic field which makes the drive shaft turn (or something like that). A generator uses a turning drive shaft (in the case of a wind turbine, the wind turns the turbine; power plants usually use something to boil water and then the steam turns the turbine) to vary a magnetic field which induces current. The key concept is electromagnetic induction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_induction

[MiiNiPaa]

Wind turbine? What for?
If it is for you own amusement, I suggest build an solar generator next. It isn't much harder, providing you have unneeded satellite dish on hand :)

[N36fSL3A]

Wind turbine to power simple things.

[Thumper]

JChMathae wrote:

The only thing that changes is the direction of the flow of energy.

^
Supply the motor current and it will spin. Spin the motor and it will supply current.

[N36fSL3A]

How big will my motor need to be to supply 180 or 300 watts?

[Thumper]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=300+watt+motor

[MiiNiPaa]

Damn big. Seriously.
And some good wind.
Some info with pictures:
http://ecopia.com.au/Small_Wind_Turbines
This is 200W turbine
. Note that it was designed and produced in a factory, sot it will be more efficient:
http://solarbarn.com.au/image/cache/data/newfiles/200wWindTurbine_-600x450.jpg

[N36fSL3A]

Holy crap that's huge. I think I'll stick with making a small one to power some lights and stuff.