New to here... speculations..

Shelbycharger400 · #1 12-09-2009, 01:07 AM

Im new to wind generated electricity, but not to electronics..

I have been researching several ways, and seemed many dead ends today !! my question is to a source known as Windbluepower.com
They use the Gm 10si/12si permanant mag motor, replace the factory rotor and stator

Known INFO !! I have been an auto mechanic for over 10 years, Gm alternators and ford for that matter all reach peak charge at 2500 rpm of engine speed. ( i have not done the calculation at alternator rpm) but Chrysler Alternators are wound to full charge at 1500 engine rpm.
THE GOOD STUFF>>> Neon uses a GM ( yes thats right) alternator. and full charges at 1500..

Most of chrysler alternators use an external voltage regulator.

anyone have any feedback ?

myocardia · #2 12-09-2009, 01:38 AM

Hi Shelbycharger, welcome to Nature2Energy. What kind of feedback are you seeking? Are you looking for feedback about Windblue's kits, or automotive alternators in general, or something else?

BTW, when these companies rewind these PMA's, they wind them to produce maximum output at the speed they consider best suited for their product, in case you were wondering. That's the reason that they all seem to have their peak output at different RPM. It's really pretty easy for them to do.

Shelbycharger400 · #3 12-09-2009, 10:01 PM

i guess i should have specified i was inquiring more info on what they do when they rewind the stator and why they go to a permanant mag setup

More thoughs are seems like it would be easier to use an old generator vrs an alternator but correct me if im wrong

myocardia · #4 12-09-2009, 10:48 PM

Okay, all automotive alternators are alternating current generators. We just rectify their output to DC, so we can use them to keep our DC batteries charged. Or were you saying that you think that using direct current generators would be more efficient? If so, I'm about 90% sure that AC generation is slightly more efficient than DC generation, but as you'll see below, it really makes no difference which is more efficient.

Of course, that isn't the reason that all automobiles now come with alternators. They come with alternators because it's considerably cheaper to build AC generators than DC generators, and the AC generators last a heckuva lot longer. See, DC generators require a commutator, which didn't last very many miles. The AC that is generated is also higher voltage than the ~14V DC output, allowing lower amperage passing through the brushes, making them last longer.

As far as why all of the small wind companies that use automotive alternators convert them into permanent magnet alternators, that's simple. It's not hard to do, and a PMA doesn't require being excited, so there is no battery draw when the turbine is producing no power. As an added benefit, PMA's require no brushes that would eventually wear out. It's a win/win for them.

I have copied the last two posts from this thread to a new thread, located here. Please post subsequent posts there, since we've moved far beyond introductions.