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Physics Project - Wind Turbine
Kevin Mullins:
I had gear reduction in mind when I suggested using an alternator. (especially on a small scale project so to speak) Most wind turbines have some sort of gearbox and such in it as Danny mentioned. I guess I should have clarified that part.
Now finding a direct drive 1:1 motor/generator that would work sufficiently would indeed be tricky I think.
Another project on my long list that I've wanted to dabble in.
Ed_McCarron:
--- Quote from: danny_galaga on November 14, 2009, 07:40:07 pm ---Generators like to spin fast too, more so than alternators.
--- End quote ---
Just going off what I've read on DIY turbine sites. They like old 30V tape drive motors - something goofy like 30v = 325rpm, so at 70-80 rpm they are cranking out 12-ish volts at halfway decent current. Alternators seem to be not favored, and gearing up requires something a bit bigger than a 3' blade.
DaOld Man:
Hmmm, well with generators or alternators, you need a supply current to get the thing started.
Field excitation I think is the term Im looking for.
It wont generate current unless there is a magnetic field to begin with it.
An automobile alternator must have the battery connected to begin generating, after that it can supply enough current to maintain the field.
A generator also has to have a maintained field.
Now you could use a DC motor with permanent magnets as the field, that would work nicely.
An AC motor can become a generator, as soon as the shaft of the motor is turning faster than the rated hertz of the supply current, it becomes a generator. (Dirty definition).
If you have a bench grinder with a lamp attached to it (lamp comes on when motor is turned on), then when you turn off the grinder, notice that the lamp slowly goes off as the motor is coasting down.
Anyway, nice project Flip_Willie, but I would give you a B, mainly because you couldnt explain how it works better.
SirPeale:
Quite frankly, I'm rather impressed with your project. I've been wanting to build one of these for a while. You did an excellent job.
Just don't take random strangers comments to heart.
Flip_Willie:
--- Quote from: DaOld Man on November 15, 2009, 07:56:26 am ---Anyway, nice project Flip_Willie, but I would give you a B, mainly because you couldnt explain how it works better.
--- End quote ---
Ha, you should have seen the other projects. ;)
In some respects, I decided not to go to in-depth on this site to avoid confusion. However, it seems I did exactly the opposite. Obviously, I worked harder to make things sound more technical / knowledgeable in the actual presentation (Although, even that was probably lost due to my poor speaking skills).
Of course, I am not trying to imply that I understand how everything is working in the unit. I will admit that I could have put more research in every component. Some of that was due to time constraints, and some of it was due to the fact that I was embarrassed to ask how some of it was working.
If there is anything in particular that you believe I should have stated better, please let me know so that I can be knowledgeable later on.
--- Quote from: SirPeale on November 15, 2009, 08:46:02 am ---Quite frankly, I'm rather impressed with your project. I've been wanting to build one of these for a while. You did an excellent job.
Just don't take random strangers comments to heart.
--- End quote ---
Thank you. I have bad habit of taking other peoples thoughts / words too seriously. I have tried to correct this, but as with any habit correcting it is easier said than done.
Flip_Willie
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