How to wire car alternator for wind turbine use?
The Delco and most all others only starts making power between 1,000-1450 rpm (depending on which model-type you use, i am experimenting with Alternators on wind turbines at present and have had siome encouraging result well over 30 Amps with a Bosch unit. They always spinat roughly double engine rpm and maximum outputs are usually 4-6,000 rpm (which requires an enourmous amount of torque from engine power so isn’t relevant).
Obtaining sufficient revs & controlling the field is the main problem, with a standard car alternator regulator set up they are made to give maximum possible output at any given rpm (which is ideal on an electrically demanding freezing morning) but can- does results in a rotor stalling dead.
Run a low field half or less than normal, and gear up a pretty powerful rotor at least 4;1 but approaching 10;1 is far better (as i did on my Bosch 100Amp alternator).This means that at a rotor speed of sday 250rpm at 5;1 or 10;1 ratio you will be getting 1,250-2,500 rpm which is in the right ball park. The old Lucas is modest output as we need AND also has easily accesible rectifer brushes and regulator (cheap and much better for modiifying and tinkering) unlike the all encased awkward to work with but tough Delco.
Finding suitablly large pulleys is awkward i ended up making my own, cogs are more compact and can be quiet if set up right and have no slipage problems .
I have found that with research that permanent magnet/s installed in the alternator are really a MUCH better option you can buy magnets from e bay or magnets4less in US powerful rectangles for as little as $9 each or raedy assembled pma converted delcos from wind blue power in U.S. or Eagle wind turbines, no field or switching needed at all, just a good frame and a fast proop.
Dave Merseyside in England.utube wind4watts.
Good Luck
The Delco and most all others only starts making power between 1,000-1450 rpm (depending on which model-type you use, i am experimenting with Alternators on wind turbines at present and have had siome encouraging result well over 30 Amps with a Bosch unit. They always spinat roughly double engine rpm and maximum outputs are usually 4-6,000 rpm (which requires an enourmous amount of torque from engine power so isn’t relevant).
Obtaining sufficient revs & controlling the field is the main problem, with a standard car alternator regulator set up they are made to give maximum possible output at any given rpm (which is ideal on an electrically demanding freezing morning) but can- does results in a rotor stalling dead.
Run a low field half or less than normal, and gear up a pretty powerful rotor at least 4;1 but approaching 10;1 is far better (as i did on my Bosch 100Amp alternator).This means that at a rotor speed of sday 250rpm at 5;1 or 10;1 ratio you will be getting 1,250-2,500 rpm which is in the right ball park. The old Lucas is modest output as we need AND also has easily accesible rectifer brushes and regulator (cheap and much better for modiifying and tinkering) unlike the all encased awkward to work with but tough Delco.
Finding suitablly large pulleys is awkward i ended up making my own, cogs are more compact and can be quiet if set up right and have no slipage problems .
I have found that with research that permanent magnet/s installed in the alternator are really a MUCH better option you can buy magnets from e bay or magnets4less in US powerful rectangles for as little as $9 each or raedy assembled pma converted delcos from wind blue power in U.S. or Eagle wind turbines, no field or switching needed at all, just a good frame and a fast proop.
Dave Merseyside in England.utube wind4watts.
Good Luck
Bear in mind that the alternator will need to spin at at least 600 RPM to do any good.A better method would be to use a permanent magnet DC motor instead.They will make more power at a lower RPM.But,if you are lucky enough to be using a Delco alternator,just connect a small jumper wire from the F terminal to the output lug.That will “excite the field” and make it work.
