I am setting up my new home for power, it has never been on the grid and never will be. Solar will provide all my power from May-October, but will be very hit and miss the rest of the time. Wind is not a option since I live in one of the most windless areas of Oregon.
So I am planning to create some kind of a Hydro-electric system over the summer. I have been evaluating the waterflow across my land since Novemeber, and have found a site close to my home with 100' of head and volume in excess of 20 gallons per minute(it averagesmore like 40 gallons per minute) through most of the wet season.
Shopping around has shown that I can buy a Harris Turbine that will produce plenty of power on the above specifactions. The catch is that it will cost me $1500-$1800 for the complete unit, a large chunk of money for a poor country boy like me. Its especially insulting since these units used to cost $999 just a couple years ago, it seems many retailers are trying to gouge us now.
I can still get the Harris Pelton wheel by its self for less than $300, and a Harris nozzle for $10, which leads me to my main question here...... If I purchased a over the counter Motorcraft or Delco Alternator at my local autoparts store, and built a system using all these parts(Harris wheel, nozzle, and alternator), would it be possible for me to generate anywhere near the 200 watts that a Harris built turbine could with my head and water volume?
Harris turbines are advertised as being custom wound for each customers specifacations(the alternator), how much difference would it make if I just used a over the counter alternator? I am sure my homemade unit would not compare exactly with one made by experienced craftsman, but I'm not to concerned if its not perfect, I just need a practical unit.
Anyone have any input for a poor country boy?