by windgat on Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:58 pm
Yes you can do what you describe - except for the diode. A DC motor will make DC when you turn it, so no need for the diode in that way.
A diode would be used if you use a battery - then you dont want to use the battery to turn the motor when there is no wind, so you use a diode to prevent current flowing into the motor.
If you are not after much current, a stepper motor from an old floppy drive or CD drive might work.
Let us know how it goes!