Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!asuvax!pitstop.mcd.mot.com!mcdphx!schbbs!mothost!pts-nntp!sun8!kburtch
From: kburtch@pts.mot.com (Kevin Burtch X8534 Ppppp)
Subject: Turning Alternators into BIG steppers...
Message-ID: <Cp6qB0.L2v@pts.mot.com>
Sender: news@pts.mot.com
Nntp-Posting-Host: sun8
Reply-To: kburtch@pts.mot.com
Organization: Paging and Wireless Data Group
Date: Mon, 2 May 1994 17:08:59 GMT
Lines: 25

There was an article some time back (6 months - a year) in an electronics magazine
on rewiring automobile alternators into high torque, high amperage stepper motors.
Has anyone tried this? I was wondering how well they worked, thinking about doing it
myself. How efficient are they?

MoPar alternators are small and light, with a lot of ventilation, and would probably
be the easiest ones to convert. Some GM alternators are up to 100 amp ouput, and
might be better for a mega-torque application. I was thinking about either the MoPar
alternator, or maybe a smaller import car's. 

I am thinking about making a hydraulic robot, with the hydraulic system powered by a
load sensitive controlled alternator/stepper. (Load sensitive to save battery charge,
but still able to give high pressure when needed.) 

I am also thinging about using it in other applications, but those are too wierd to
discuss right now. :)

Any suggestions on high efficiency motors, suitable for the previous application are
also welcome. :)

Thanks,
Kevin



