Q&A for How to Make a Simple Electric Generator

Yes, they can, but your generator might not be quite as efficient. It would be better to not let the wires overlap.

Yes, increasing the number of turns of copper wire or increasing the magnetic field by adding another magnet would produce more power.

The magnet applies a magnetic field to the coil. While applying a magnet field, this is combined with constant movement of the magnet, and an electric charge is created.

Bar Magnets produce a uniform and strong magnetic field which, in many cases, is ideal for generating electricity.

If using a weak steel magnet, many thousands of turns of wire would be needed. Instead for a group of ceramic block magnets, you need 600-800 turns to light a red LED. For a rare-earth neo super magnet, you'd only need less than 100 turns of wire. The speed (RPM) affects the voltage, the number of turns affects the voltage, the strength of the magnet affects the voltage. To produce higher current, use thicker wire.

1666 ft in accordance with these instructions. However, you will need to meet additional requirements, so you don't fry your phone or electrocute anything else.

Magnets create a magnetic field. When a magnetic field moves past a conductor (the wire), it makes electricity flow in the wire.

Yes, you can, but the current produced would be limited due to the copper wiring.

The magnetism pulls the electrons along the wire. If you connect both ends of the copper wire to a light bulb, the electrons would be able to flow around through the wire in a circuit.

The wider the winding, the better. Keep in mind, however, that the heavier the winding is, the less efficient it will be.

Unfortunately, the voltage produced by this generator is not enough to charge a phone battery.

You can, but you won't get considerable output. It can be low due to the fact that it receives low force of wind.

You must increase the number of coils. For example, a generator with 100 coils would be 50 times more powerful than a generator with two coils.

You could use an insulator, but magnets produce more power than insulating rod.

You would need to convert it to AC, then step it up using a transformer. You would also need a much more substantial generator to do this.

You are essentially creating a battery with the aforementioned experiment. You can conversely create a magnetic field with a battery connected to coiled wire. Just connect the wire ends to a battery instead of a light or multimeter. Then you don't need a magnet inside. You shouldn't have to spin it either. The battery and coil will create a magnetic field.

It will be alternating current because it is a linear electric generator, which is a magnet spinning through loops of wire.

No, too much energy is lost in the process of the electricity traveling down the wire. This ideas is used, in arc reactors, though.

The bulb used in this example is a resistive filament bulb, as electricity travels through the filament it glows in the same fashion as the filaments in your toaster. Even though the magnets create a minor pulse of energy with each pass, the filament still needs time to "cool" before light will dissipate. The faster the magnets are spun, the brighter the glow. For an easy visual example, plug in your toaster, set it to the highest setting, turn it on, and when fully bright, unplug it and see how fast the light dims down. This is a crude example, but the principal is the same. Gasses in the bulb help it to glow brighter when on and dim faster when off without producing as much heat.

Yes it is. if you want strong magnets, buy a neodymium magnet. It is really strong.

It does not matter, as long as it turns at a good speed. However, a larger and stronger magnet would increase its efficiency.

The magnetism pulls the electrons along the wire. If you connect both ends of the copper wire to a light bulb, the electrons will be able to flow around through the wire in a circuit.

You can find these magnets on Amazon. Once on the main page, simply search for ceramic magnets.

Stationary magnets and spinning copper wiring would not produce DC electrical current. Most electrical generators do produce AC current and do consist of spinning wiring and stationary magnets. The reason why most generators consist of stationary magnets is that the higher-powered magnets are very fragile and can crack or flake off very easily. Spinning them very quickly can lead to damage and problems earlier on, so having them be stationary just makes sure they will last longer.

It will be a lot weaker.

Possibly, but it would not be as efficent because it does not have a south and north side like bars.

A bar magnet is best, and the stronger, the better. Make sure it's the right size, too!

Yes, PVC works fine, if it is fairly small (and fits the magnet closely). The axle must pass through holes drilled through the PVC.

Yes.

Two go north and south on the shaft and two go east and west on the shaft North and south positive face out, east and west positive face in (or vice versa).