Hi all, and I appreciate all the input.
I might as well spell out my plans so you can ponder them.
I already have the gearbox, and I do not plan on using a tall tower.
at my test site(my house)the load is close, like 25 feet, but after the bugs are worked out I have a site that is practically a mountian top, so I can put the thing low, and make it very sturdy.
My rotor has 9 blades, and is a downwind design, and was made with maximum torque in mind, not speed. My "target" rpm is 500, the rotor will handle more, but it should become very ineffecient.
the gearbox will provide the mounting point for the rotor, as it has a 1.5" shaft.
The mount will include at least a couple sets of sliprings.
Good or Bad, All the above items I am already decided on. I would have prefered a lower gear ratio, but this is what I have and I may be forced to change this later.
I am still not set on the method of power production.
I really do love magnets, but I cannot figure out how to use them with a very wide powerband generator. A large pm generator has too much drag at low wind, and a small one will not provide enough drag in high winds. clutches might work but I am not thrilled with the idea.
a generator head unit would be the easiest, but they are not cheap, and unless I butcher one I doubt it will do what I want very well.
I am toying with the idea of using several GM alternator rotors on 1 shaft, and custom mounting the field coils. With this setup 1 rotor could be energized, and when the PLC determines it is at maximum amps, and the RPM is still climbing the next one would be energized.
A stepped generator of sorts....
This way the drag/load can be adjusted to keep the rotor speed where it works best.
The excess drag could be cut down to brushes, and residual magnetism in the rotors when wind is very low.
Am I forgetting something here?
It might turn out to be a major failure, but at this point, I still want to try.
I am still unsure about how to get single phase out of an alternator, without rewinding it.... is it possible?
Also, I prefer 240vac because it is common here, and it will travel with minimal loss.
Chris