How to Charge a 12V Battery With a DC Motor

How to Charge a 12V Battery With a DC Motor
••• Natnan Srisuwan/iStock/GettyImages

A lead-acid battery is a source of direct-current (DC) electricity. When the battery begins to lose its charge, it must be recharged with another DC source. An electric motor, though, is as an alternating-current (AC) source. For the electric motor to provide DC energy, its output has to pass through an electronic circuit called a rectifier. An electric motor can be used in conjunction with a source of mechanical energy and a rectifier to recharge a 12V battery.

    Cut four lengths of wire, and strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of each wire. Using the wrench, loosen the top bolts on both battery terminal connectors.

    Insert one end of the first wire into the space created by loosening the top bolts on the first battery terminal. Tighten the top bolts on the first battery terminal. Solder the wire to the terminal.

    Insert one end of the second wire into the space created by loosening the top bolts on the second battery terminal. Tighten the top bolts on the second battery terminal. Solder the wire to the terminal.

    Attach the free end of the first wire to the positive or "+" terminal on the rectifier pack, and solder the connection. Attach the free end of the second wire to the negative or "-" terminal on the rectifier pack, and solder the wire to the terminal.

    Attach the battery terminal at the end of the first wire to the positive battery post. Attach the battery terminal at the end of the second wire to the negative battery post.

    Attach one end of the third wire to one of the motor terminals, and solder the connection. Attach one end of the fourth wire to the remaining motor terminal, and solder the connection.

    Attach the free end of the third wire to one of the "AC" terminals on the rectifier pack, and solder the connection. Attach the free end of the fourth wire to the other "AC" terminal on the rectifier pack. Turn the rotor shaft on the motor to charge the battery.

    Things You'll Need

    • Brushless 12V DC electric motor
    • One 12V battery
    • Rectifier pack
    • Adjustable wrench
    • Two battery terminals
    • Electrical wire
    • Electrical pliers
    • Soldering iron
    • Electronic (rosin core) solder

    Tips

    • Use this circuit in conjunction with an automatic source of mechanical power, such as an engine, to minimize battery charge time.

Related Articles

How to Convert 12 Volt Alternator to 120 Volts
How to Build DC to AC Power Inverters
How to Reduce 12 Volt to 6 Volt
How to Convert 12 Volt to 6 Volt
How to Build a Battery Isolator
What Is the Difference Between a Windmill & a Wind...
How to Calculate Induced Armature Voltage
How to Wire a Battery in Series
How Does a DC Power Supply Work?
How to Build a 120V AC to 12V DC Power Converter
How to Calculate 30 KW to Amps
How to Calculate Electrical Transformer Output
How to Size a Capacitor to an Electric Motor
How to Calculate the Henrys in a Coil
How Does a Magneto Work?
How to Rewire an Electrical Motor to Generate AC Current
How to Use a 12V Diode to Prevent Backfeed
DIY Very Simple 60-Hertz Oscillator With a Quartz Circuit
How to Use a Resistor for 12 Volt to 5 Volt

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!