Hi,
I am designing an inexpensive water current turbine. At this point, my problem is to find a cheap generator. Thanks to a website, several solutions are under consideration.
- Second-hand alternator for vehicles.
The biggest problem with using car alternators for hydro power is that they are designed to rotate at too high a speed to be practical in hydro power applications without significant modifications.
- Home-made permanent magnet alternator
Could be very interesting if I had enough time to built one myselves
A PMG construction manual is available on a website with some recommendations in using it for hydro power.
- Induction motor conversion alternators
Apparently, it's the same amount of work to build an efficient alternator from scratch as it is to convert an induction motor, and the home-made alternators perform much better.
- DC generators
Most are not good at low rpm.
If someone have an other idea, I would be grateful to heard other opinion or experience.