stream operated battery generator

[mrcaptainbob]

It was maybe a year ago I saw an article here for a stream operated generator for charging batteries. I've tried a search, but am unable to find it. Where may I go to find this info? (There's an opening line!!)It looked similar to a squirrel cage set in a stream, the water flow turned it....something like that. Thanks for any help..

[DanB]

If its something we did its probably here: http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_hydro.html

That machine is still plugging along nicely - almost 2 years old now.  I believe theres lots of room for improvement in the design - I am not an expert at this stuff but it does work and it plugs out about 20 - 25 watts 24/7.  Scott put it in an insulated box and its never frozen up yet - it runs year round.

[Nando]

BurksFallMan has post his message showing his system I helped him to build.

It has good pointers, like a much better Nozzle that does not reduce the head and, as well, is placed hitting several blades at the same time insuring this way a better and even continuous torque -- still not the right placement -- "We can tell the young ones but many times they do not listen" ---.

He is changing the "rudimentary Banki" to a Plastic Spoons Pelton to attain an expected higher Torque.

So some ideas can be glimpsed if his message is read.

Nando

[willib]

thats pretty cool Dan , i wonder how much power it has put out in two years?

i'm not sure how to convert average power to watt hours, or KWatt hours ?

[Nando]

Simple for 20 watts :

20 W * 24 hours/day * 365 days/ear * 2 years = 350,400 watts

OR 350.4 KWH in 2 years.

25 watts = 350.4 * 25/20 = 438 KWH in 2 years.

Nando

[Nando]

If you are planning a Banki or crossflow connect with me directly to give you pointers for your project.

The stream operated generator as indicated by DanB should have modifications to improve the power harvesting, several critical ones.

Nando

[DanB]

we might like to work with that when summer comes Nando.  We did a few a lot of changes/experiments to it - followed some of your suggestions for the nozzel and tried a different runner (a fan - like the one you and burkfalls used).  We ran it as an over shot - undershot etc...  seemed like almost no matter what we did it peaked around 2 amps.  I think the interesting thing to try would be a longer/smaller dia runner like you suggested with a more proper nozzel.  If we get into that I'll pick your brain a bit this summer if you're willing.  Thanks.

[Nando]

DanB:

Any time, BUT please measure the head and the volume to define well what type of peak power can be attained.

If volume is time variable, then You need to define minimum and maximum volumes.

Nando

[mrcaptainbob]

Thanks guys. THis is what I was looking for. Thanks a lot!