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Semi homemade hydro power | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Semi homemade hydro power (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by Oregonorganic on Sun Mar 23rd, 2008 at 08:06:56 AM MST
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First, thanks to all who have posted! I appreciate all of the ideas and directions you have pointed me!

Using the 3 phase induction motor sounds like a good project for me for down the road, for now it may be overkill for me, my present talents, and my limited pocketbook.

If I needed to transmit the electricity further I would be all over that motor project, but since the hydro unit will be only about 10-20' from my battery bank the higher voltage is not needed. Also I am only needing about 400 amps per day at the moment.

Using the motor sounds like it will involve a more expensive charger(MPPT?), and more knowhow with electicity than I have at the moment. I'm going to pick up the book that was mentioned and take a look, but for now I think I am going to do some research and find the best ready to use 12vdc alternator I can buy.

Anyways, I have all summer now to research and build the system, in the meantime my solar panel will maintain the system well. And hopefully by the time the clouds come back in Fall(and block my sunshine), and with it electricity producing rain water, I will be ready!

Again, thanks to all!!

Re: Semi homemade hydro power (3.00 / 0) (#17)
by Oregonorganic on Mon Mar 24th, 2008 at 01:21:40 PM MST
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Hmmmm, I have been doing some looking around, and have found some information concerning Amp production of Delco alternators at different ranges of RPMs. Here is a graph:

This shows several Alternators, and the power production curve for each over the range of RPMs.
From what I have learned here, my 100' of head plus my 20+ gallons of flow per minute should allow me to spin a alternator @2200 RPMs.
My projected energy needs are 400 Amps per day, or 16.66 amps per hour, according to the chart I should be easily able to produce the needed power and more with the larger stock Delco alternators. And it looks like there will be room for more improvement.

Sorry I reposted this, I didn't know the last post would be so high.

[ Parent ]

Re: Semi homemade hydro power (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by hydrosun on Tue Mar 25th, 2008 at 06:56:36 PM MST
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I made several hydro units with the Harris wheel screwed on a Motorcraft 70 amp alternator. I mounted the alternator on the lid of a square plastic bucket and cut holes on four sides to aim pvc pipe with 1/2 inch thread to screw in the old style Harris nozzles. I used pieces of inner tube attached to the lid to try to keep water out of the alternator bearings. Stock alterators will produce 12 volts efficiently at 100 feet head. I did find rewinding sources for 24 volt stators.
I've since upgraded to the more efficient Permanent magnet Harris units. I've been very pleased with the extra power and less maintainance. I can still get them direct from Don Harris because I'm a repeat customer for years now. I have seen the price rise substantially if I bought it from my usuall wholesale supplier of alternative energy parts.
If I was trying to build a homemade unit today, I'd try the Fisher/ Paykel washing machine motor. Do a google search and you'll find someone making hydro kits using those motors. You can buy all or parts from the kit.
The problem with any non adjustable permanent magnet is it is at it's peak efficiency at only one rpm and power output. It's more efficient than the alternator but not as efficient at varying flows. So in the fall when the stream is just starting to flow and the sun hasn't been seen in 2 weeks the batteries are going to be low. Because I've never had a backup gas generator it has been great to start the Harris hydro with 3 gallons/ minute and have enough power to keep the lights and refrigerator going. With the old alternator system I usually would have to resort to unpluging the refrigerator to keep from totally draining the batteries. I consider the money spent on the PM unit the best investment I ever made.
I had alot of fun trying incremental improvements in the hydro and other parts of my system over the years. I learned alot and so will you.
Chris

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Semi homemade hydro power | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 editorial)

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