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Vawt update | 34 comments (34 topical, editorial)

Re: Vawt update (3.00 / 0) (#31)
by windstuffnow (elenz(at)windstuffnow(dot)com) on Fri Nov 9th, 2007 at 08:11:03 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.windstuffnow.com/main

I'll assume it's a 20 pole 15 coil layout wired in star. The three wires connected to block rectifiers shouldn't be a problem unless one of the rectifiers has a bad diode. The off center shouldn't be a problem. The wiring of the coils sounds right and all the poles I assume are NSNS etc. If two coils together are shorted could cause a feedback current between phases ( I've done that myself ). Does it freewheel when it's disconnected or running slower than cut in or does it take a bit of torque to rotate it? It might not show up on a voltage test but it seems like it would give you varying resistance readings. If you have access to all 6 wires you can check continuity from one phase to another to make sure there is no connection between them. Also, if you get your starts and ends mixed up when wiring in star this would reverse one set of coils which might not show up until it was loaded.

Can't think of anything else right now...
.

Have Fun! Windstuff Ed
[ Parent ]

Re: Vawt update (3.00 / 0) (#32)
by CmeBREW (smke833f@hotmail.com) on Fri Nov 9th, 2007 at 08:42:13 PM MST
(User Info)

Thanks Ed. It is becoming quite the stinkin' puzzle. I do not have access to the other 3 points. Just like Danb's diagram , I simply hooked all 3 of the 'inside' wires (of the end coils of each phase) together.

I did fail to mention that it DOES 'half' light up a normal 100 watt light bulb. (direct hook up/ no batteries) This is AFTER the diodes in the picture.
In that case, the alternator is VERy easy to turn fast due to the high resistance of the light bulb. So I can easily spin it up to a much faster rpm by the hub thread rods. I think I can get over 40 volts if I spin it real fast.

I will keep trying to figure out what, if anything, is wrong. It is amazing how much crapola beginners get themselves into. -Thanks for info.

[ Parent ]

Re: Vawt update (3.00 / 0) (#34)
by CmeBREW (smke833f@hotmail.com) on Sat Nov 10th, 2007 at 07:12:53 PM MST
(User Info)

I re-did that alternator 'crank' test just now. I wanted to test the current I could get from EACH phase. That might not be the most accurate way of saying it though, since, I believe there are always 2 phases in series at any one time. (STAR hooked)
Anyway, I alternated using only 2 of the 3 wires at any one time thru the bridge rectifier(s), to see if there was any difference in current going into the battery. There was no difference. All combinations are the same. (about HALF the amps of all 3 phases hooked up at once)

I also believe I mis-judged the first crank test quite a bit. At that 2 foot diameter, I could only turn the crank so fast (rpm)-- and I now think THAT was the most stressing part on my arm....not the torque resistance of the alternator. It is a difficult think to judge. It seems to mainly work the forearm.

So I brought the crank inward clear down to only 4 inches away from the center point.
I can still crank 3 amps steady, cranking it at only 4 inches. It is not extremely difficult to do so-- but its not too easy either. It still feels more than the formula ED mentioned though--- but who knows.
I know now that 1 amp is fairly easy to crank at around 100rpm. So I think the alternator is working good enough for more vawt tests.

I have got the time to do several more tests, primarily with the smaller proto-type vawt rotor. It is looking better. I may have better results very soon. -Thanks.

[ Parent ]

Vawt update | 34 comments (34 topical, 0 editorial)

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