Can a ceiling fan be used in wind generator

I would like to know if a ceiling fan (the blades on a hub, not the motor) can be used in a wind turbine type generator as the prime mover.
I am fully aware that the generating head would have to be something else than the original motor on a ceiling fan. What I would like to know if the fan itself would spin in a wind, if it has the right geometry.
The reason for my question is idle for now, but when my son grows up, it would be a fun project if it could be done with existing parts.
Also, are the blades on these fans able to withstand weather.
i

Ignoramus22178 wrote:

I would like to know if a ceiling fan (the blades on a hub, not the motor) can be used in a wind turbine type generator as the prime mover.
I am fully aware that the generating head would have to be something else than the original motor on a ceiling fan. What I would like to know if the fan itself would spin in a wind, if it has the right geometry.

This question has been asked before and the answer was that almost anything will spin in the wind, including fire trucks, as long as there is enough wind. They don't make very good wind turbines though as the blades do not have an airfoil shape or varied pitch. The opinion seems to be that you would be better off either carving your own blades or buying blades made for a wind turbine.

The reason for my question is idle for now, but when my son grows up, it would be a fun project if it could be done with existing parts.

You can get the plans and links to places to buy parts here. http://www.scoraigwind.com/ http://www.picoturbine.com/

Also, are the blades on these fans able to withstand weather.

Mostly these blades on ceiling fans are made from fiberboard and it basically dissolves in water and turns back into sawdust.
Anthony

To answer your question, yes it would turn in the wind.
Would it be efficient at it? No.
Could the motor on there be used as a generator? Yes.
Would it be worth converting the motor? Likely not unless you rewound it with thicker wire and bought rare-earth magnets (very powerful) and mounted them in there just right.
To see a better option, visit:
http://www.otherpower.com and click on the "Wind" link at the lower right for a lot of inforamtion about building your own.
Or, visit: http://fieldlines/com
and read some of the posts there. . .
D
Anthony Matonak wrote:

Ignoramus22178 wrote:
I would like to know if a ceiling fan (the blades on a hub, not the motor) can be used in a wind turbine type generator as the prime mover. I am fully aware that the generating head would have to be something else than the original motor on a ceiling fan. What I would like to know if the fan itself would spin in a wind, if it has the right geometry.
This question has been asked before and the answer was that almost anything will spin in the wind, including fire trucks, as long as there is enough wind. They don't make very good wind turbines though as the blades do not have an airfoil shape or varied pitch. The opinion seems to be that you would be better off either carving your own blades or buying blades made for a wind turbine.
The reason for my question is idle for now, but when my son grows up, it would be a fun project if it could be done with existing parts.
You can get the plans and links to places to buy parts here. http://www.scoraigwind.com/ http://www.picoturbine.com/
Also, are the blades on these fans able to withstand weather.
Mostly these blades on ceiling fans are made from fiberboard and it basically dissolves in water and turns back into sawdust.
Anthony