to solve low water problem

[bgarrett]

My creek has a great flow most of the year but slows to very little in August.

It doesnt seem like a good idea to put batteries by the creek if they will not get any charge for a month or so.

 my building will be about 250 feet from the creek and the batteries should close to my point of use, right?

Is it possible to generate at 120 volts so the power can be sent about 250 feet then converted to  12 volts to charge my batteries?

[Ungrounded Lightning Rod]

Yes.

[bgarrett]

Great! Can you suggest a hydro generator?

[chainsaw]

 You need to know water head and flow in gal per minute to determine your potential output. Then look at units that meet those parameters.

[bgarrett]

All the hydro generators I find on the internet at DC

Can you point me in the direction of 120 volt Alternating Current hydro generators?

My dam is about 600 feet from the house where the battery bank will be

[ghurd]

Lots of alternators, probably most, will make 120VAC.

Unless you mean 120VAC 60HZ single phase, then you are out of luck without a lot more research.  And the more you research it, the more you will find you are pretty much out of luck.

Most decent DC generators are actually 3-ph AC alternators, intended to be rectified to DC output.

So far the only thing we know is it is hydro, without enough water sometimes, 250' or 600' (?), and 12V batteries.

Without the head, flow, type of water wheel, etc, etc, etc,

nobody can point you toward anything relevant.

G-

[bgarrett]

there is no reason for you to be rude

[ghurd]

Correct.

Where exactly was I rude?

In my garage or basement I have:

A few 2" square stepper motors that will make 120VAC,

Several baseball sized 3-ph motors that will make 120VAC,

More than a few mid-sized AC conversions that will make 120VAC.

And a 80(?) pound Leeson that will make 120V.

Send me $250 and I'll send you an alternator than makes 120VAC.

Is that what you are looking for?

Because that's what you are asking for.

[TomW]

bgarret;

If you think that was rude, you need to grow a thicker hide before jumping into the internet.

Seriously, lighten up.

I thought he was very accurate and honest about our inability to reply with useful information to your vague post.

You are welcome!

Tom

[bgarrett]

I have extremely limited knowledge about hydro power and I posted:

"All the hydro generators I find on the internet at DC

Can you point me in the direction of 120 volt Alternating Current hydro generators?"

I may have not been clear but I am asking if anyone can point me at a website that sells AC generators.

I did not ask for a specific make and model generator to suit a specific head and flow.

I did point out that the creek is about 250 feet away and the dam is about 600 feet away.

[camillitech]

Hi there,

you seem to have a similar problem to me, http://www.hipowerhydro.com/ do small turbines in 120/240/440v with transformers to step them down for battery charging. ES&D do the 'Stream Engine' in 12/24/48/120& 240v http://www.microhydropower.com/ and I personally use a 200w Navitron 230vac high head turgo turbine  http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=172&catID=81 operating at a head of 40m (130ft) with a flow as low as 1lt (6.3 gals) per second.

Mine was sourced in the UK where I live but they're Chinese and available worldwide through various outlets under different names.

Good Luck, Paul

[ghurd]

At a minimum, we need to know the head.  And so do you.

It is relative the operating RPM, and therefore the alternator design.

It is a specialized niche market.  Not many companies make alternators suited both high and low RPM.

This may help your search:

AC is alternators.

DC is generators.

Gas powered 110VAC generator (like in the Sunday paper ads) is a misnomer, and probably will not be repeated by many companies making/selling what you are looking for.

[m8e]

Maybe ecoinnovations high voltage pelton can be a fitting solution?

They generates 300-500vac and includes a transformator for 24/48V systems.

They can work with a head between 5-130m (16.4-426.5 feet).