"In for a Penny, in for a Pound"
Hello Mitcamp
I've been trying to figure out an "elegant" way of asking the dollar investment in the water wheel, the best I've come up with is "What is the cost ratio between the water wheel and the alternator" But that makes things difficult, So..... how much bling?
The Wheel appears to dwarf the alternator in both size and investment.
It surprises me that the "unloaded" RPM of the two different gear boxes are the same?
The 30:1 and the 45:1 have the same unloaded 8 RPM, What is the wheels RPM without a gearbox attached?
With out a doubt, a great deal of time has been put into its planning and building. During that, process was there ever a "calculated" power output?
A long time ago I had a chat (and I am not sure with who) about increasing wheel efficiency. It was suggested that if one were to put in vertical vanes in the water (leading into the paddles) that by reducing turbulence and causing the water to push against the paddles in a more "linear motion" more wheel speed would be achieved.
It has already been posted whether spending the extra monies on larger alternator would be cost effective; however taking into consideration the investment already made it the water wheel..... The way I see it "In for a Penny, In for a Pound"
The current values you have listed, is the total current, or per leg of three phases?
You mentioned 45 amps would be nice, 12v x 45a = 450 watts.
I would not be surprised if the 45:1 gearbox is not consuming close to that amount. To say nothing of the year-to-year maintenance it will require.
I do not recall anyone here building an Ultra Low speed alternator, but that does not mean it cannot be done. YES, it would cost a lot more than a standard "wind" alternator but this hydroelectric system is a very different animal.
You may want to search low speed alternators. I recall Vatman working on one, but I've not seen recent postings from him.
Looking forward to more pictures!
Mark
ax7