> I guess a related problem is how to rewire a brushless DC motor (ie a
    > fan) to be a generator.  It's GOT the appropriate magnets and coils,
    > they're just not wired the way they need to be to get electicity OUT...

    Actually they are.  Just spin it and you get AC coming out of each coil
    at a different phase.

Right.  For a dozen or so coils, typically.  So the problem is "simply"
one of making an efficient multiphase rectifier.  Is that "just" a bunch
of diodes, or does it get trickier than that?

BillW

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