Alternator troubleshooting
Alternator troubleshooting
(OP)
I have an alternator, output 14v 165 amps at 7000 rpm, which I attach to a vertical axis wind turbine shaft with speeds of 200 to 250 rpms. I installed the new alternator in and I did not get a reading even thougg gust winds of 60 mph were present, no voltage no amperage....
This altr. is bidirectional.
My q's is if its the difference in rpm from the shaft that need to be mounted to a step-up gear box of some sort?
thanks.
wind-no power, NM
This altr. is bidirectional.
My q's is if its the difference in rpm from the shaft that need to be mounted to a step-up gear box of some sort?
thanks.
wind-no power, NM
me, you; us.





RE: Alternator troubleshooting
Yes you need to spin that baby at least 2000RPM. 3000-4000RPM would better. Also you may need to provide 12VDC to excite the alternator so it can start generating.
Consider using large and really large V-belt sheaves to get your gear ratio. (Larger sheaves are more efficent.)
RE: Alternator troubleshooting
You need at least a 15:1 speed increase in your belt drive and that might be easier to do by cannabalizing the double reduction belt drive in an older clothes dryer. What you want are the large and small sheaves and throw away the existing intermediated shaft because that uses sleeve bearings. What you need are tapered roller bearings for your shafts.
RE: Alternator troubleshooting
Even if it revs up enough, it may loose the residual magnetism between infrequent runs and need flashing. What brand etc of alternator do you have?
Jim
RE: Alternator troubleshooting
re:"You need at least a 15:1 speed increase in your belt drive and that might be easier to do by cannabalizing the double reduction belt drive in an older clothes dryer. What you want are the large and small sheaves and throw away the existing intermediated shaft because that uses sleeve bearings. What you need are tapered roller bearings for your shafts"
I will look for this set up, seems that this will work to have it reach its rpm, now I wonder what wind speeds Ill need to reach the desired torque.
thanks, Im out in the hunt for an old dryer.
RE: Alternator troubleshooting
RE: Alternator troubleshooting
RE: Alternator troubleshooting
The tire and knurled shaft sounds like it could work. Any machine shop could knurl a shaft for you or make a knurled extension to fit over your alternator shaft. You would probably need a bearing to suport the end of an extension over a few inches long. You could use a durable tire with a smooth surface maybe like an airplane tire, forklift tire or golf cart tire to run it with.
I haven't seen a dryer mechanism like that before. Wonder what brand you would need to look for?
Jim