Building Small Dual Generator - waste of time?

[Matrix1000]

I was wondering if it would be a waste of time to build a dual 6" diameter generator.

From what I have been reading, home built 8" generators start up in low winds more easily and generates more power. I have a 3 1/2 foot piece of 6" diameter stainless steel tube that I would like to use as my generator body so that limits what I can do.

Is six inches in diameter just to small or a waste of time?

I was thinking of using 6 overlapping coils & 3 magnets per rotor, dual rotors. Then using one bar I could offset the magnets on each generator then hook the coils together to make one virtual generator. ( I think)

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

[Matrix1000]

Oops.. a 3:4 ratio would give 3 coils with 4 magnets, 6 coils with 8 magnets.

So 3 regular coils with 4 magnets would probably be better.

I'm not sure if 8 decent sized magnets would fit if I used 6 overlapping coils.

[Flux]

Matrix

6 inch does seem to small, you will only be able to get 4 inch rotors in it and have room for the stator.

Whatever you do, don't try 3 magnets. you must have an even number of poles.

Flux

[DanB]

Id pick the magnet size that allows room for coils and allows you to get the most magnet on the rotors.  4" is probably a bit small (way too small actually - for a dual rotor design like this).

I think your design is interesting...

Folks often encourage others to "think outside the box" around here... which is good.

but I think it's wise first to have a very good idea about "whats in the box?" before you start changing too much.  I'm of the opinion, that you can build a machine that does quite well in both low, and higher winds in a much simpler way.  In most cases.. if it does nicely in low winds, you'll have more power than you need in high winds anyhow.

I'm all for experimentation and I'd love to hear the results of this interesing wind turbine, but I have a feeling - that unless you build something a bit more conventional first, you may never know if its an improvement.. or not.  My guess - is the same work and effort put towards a more conventional HAWT design with a single rotor, will yield better results.

Just my thought on it all...!  You could certainly build it as a conventional unit first with 1 59" blade, test that... and then move on from there!

[wooferhound]

Magnets need to alternate "North South North South" on the rotor.

you can't do this with three sets of magnets.

[hiker]

had the same idea..using the stators out of motors--then just make a rotor to

hold the mags--maybe three or four motor stators in line- wired in parell with

rectifiers..should put out some good amps..