Well... Its not looking too good at this point. The alternator I made is not matched well enough to the EXTREMELY LOW rpm of this VAWT wind rotor.
I also realize that my RPM estimates were off. I put a big piece of duct tape on one of the blades and using my stop watch in hand, I can can see now it goes slower rpm than I had previously though. In the VIDEO I had made on YOutube, I now believe it was only going about 100rpm, NOT anywhere near 200rpm!
The RPM range of the alternator is simply way too high for this Vawt rotor.
So this alternator would certainly make a nice low-wind HAWT mill, since it would easily go up past 300rpm. The 12volt 'cut-in' IS about 70rpm. However, the VAWT rotor rarely goes above 100 rpm.(on a so-called, 10-15mph wind day)
It goes about 100rpm at a 12-15mph wind. Therefore, it only did 5 stinkin watts or so, at 100rpm. I could spin it faster with my hand (around 150rpm or so) and it went up close to 20 watts. I expect it will at least make 20 watts in a bigger wind--but the rpm is still very limited and slow.
I did expect more. My very first 3-phase stator WAS a real pain it the A$#^#beep to make. It is NOT one of my favorite things.
I may make a smaller diameter vawt rotor (18" diam by 5 ft. high) to get the speed up.(even though the over-all power will be cut in half)
Or, I can try this 'voltage doubler' circuit that Tecker and Damon mentioned. However, I see a transformer in there , and this is 3-phase, not one. It doesn't make much sense to me. The Vawt rotor has been turning 60-100rpm for most of the day and with some good torque. But as of yet, I cannot tap into that low rpm range!!!! Forget gearing-- I am quite certain it looses about HALF the power potential. Thats why I attempted direct alternator drive.
-I will keep trying. Any more suggestions or circuits are most welcome. -Thanks.