Subject: Re: Alternators for generating DC

From: A Salem <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 95 18:51:05 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>
           [email-masked] "Rich! Walker" writes:

> Does anyone have any experience of using car alternators to generate power
> from wind turbines on a smallish scale? What sorts of speeds do they need to 
> be run at to generate reasonably? Any preferred/suggested types?
> 
> -- 
> Rich! Walker: [email-masked]
> [Walt Whitman: now there's a long quote about Life]
> 

You may find some of these references useful, but they are a little difficult
to get hold of here in England. You're best bet may be the 'Producing your own
power' title, published by the Rodale Press.

Amr 

>Wind-system Plans
>
>These plans for wind systems have been gleaned from the hundreds
>of designs published over the last six decades.  Only the best, most
>workable designs, and only those plans that are still readily available
>to the public are listed.
>
>The plans are categorized in three classes based on the following
>criteria:
>
>Beginner:  relatively simple designs that can be fabricated with
>the use of hand tools.
>
>Intermediate:  more complicated designs that require the use of such
>tools as a drill press, band saw, sheet metal brake, or welder.
>
>Advanced:  the most sophisticated designs requiring skilled use of
>such machine tools as a metal lathe or milling machine.
>
>The "intermediate" and "advanced" projects listed are, for the most
>part, tried and true designs with the bugs worked out of them.  Those
>categorized as "beginner" may need some modifications and refinement.
>While it is unlikely that your local library will have many of the
>books or periodicals listed below, a good library should be able
>to get them for you through their interlibrary loan program.  Be
>sure to give the library all of the information listed.
>
>Beginner
>
>1)- 
>Home Six-Volt Wind-Electric Plans, by H.F. McColly and Foster Buck,
>published by the North Dakota Agricultural College Extension Service,
>Fargo, ND, January, 1939.  Reprinted by the Mother Earth News in
>1975 as Stock #81005.  This 19 page booklet describes a very simple
>direct-drive design that can use any automotive generator, not just
>6 volt, for generating up to several hundred watts.  Included is
>a section for carving a 5' wooden blade.
>
>
>2)
>-Wind and Windspinners, by Michael Hackelman, Peace Press, 1974.
>This classic walks you through the design and construction of a Sovonious
>rotor coupled to an automotive alternator.  S-rotors are low-speed
>drag devices more suited to pumping water.  They are low tech and
>easily fabricated.  Good beginner projects for low budget, low wattage
>applications.
>
>3) 
>"Recycled Wind Generator", Energy Primer, by the Portola Institute,
>1974 (ISBN #00-914774-00-x), pages 86 and 87.  This article details
>the building of a tilt-up, 300-watt generator similar in design to
>the old Parris-Dunn machines (now used by Southwest Windpower in
>their Windseeker II).  Included is information on rewinding the automotive
>generator for slow speed.  No details on blade construction.
>
>4) 
>"Transformation of an 1880's Wind Pump to a Wind Generator at King
>School", by John McGeorge, Alternative Sources of Energy Magazine,
>#24, 1976 (ISBN #0-917328-14-0), pages 18-22.  A simple design using
>an automotive alternator.  Details included for carving a good 10',
>3-blade rotor from wood.
>
>5)
>"The Flight of the 'Red Baron'", Mother Earth News, #92,
>March/April, 1985, pages 96-102.  Very low-tech sailwing type of
>wind generator using plumbing fittings for the mainframe and
>fabric for the "blades".  Output is about 70 watts.
>
>6)
>"The Blue Max:  Affordable Wind", Mother Earth News, #93, May/June,
>1985, pages 100-105; with an update in MEN, #94, page 101.  The second
>generation of the "Red Baron", and considerably larger at 350 watts.
>Like its predecessor, the "Blue Max" is also constructed of pipe
>fittings and fabric.
>
>7)
>"The Wind Blows Free", by John McGeorge, John's Workshop,
>Alternative Sources of Energy Magazine, #43, May/June, 1980 (ISBN
>#0-917328-33-7), pages 34-38; with an update in ASE, #47,
>January/February, 1981 (ISBN #0-917328-37-x), page 53.
>Construction of a complete micro-wind system using a 3 watt
>bicycle generator and a model airplane prop.  Schematics for a
>voltage doubling control panel are included. This is for the
>tinkerer with very modest needs.
>
>8)
>Three others should be mentioned.  While not complete plans, there
>is enough information in the citations for the clever person to work
>with.
>
>9)
>"Build Your Own Budget Windcharger", by Harry Kolbe, Mechanix Illustrated,
>February, 1978, pages 56-60.  Diagrams illustrate the basics for
>building a downwind sailwing generator using an automotive alternator
>with step up sprockets and chains.
>
>10)
>"Here's How I Built A Wind Generator", by Winnie Red Rocker, Handbook
>Of Homemade Power, published by Mother Earth News, 1974, pages 198-203.
>This same article was also published under the title "Build A Wind
>Generator", in Alternative Sources of Energy -Book One, edited by
>Sandy Eccli, 1974 (ISBN #0-8164- 9247-6), pages 70-71.  Describes
>a system using an automotive generator, with tips on constructing
>a 7' wooden blade.
>
>11)
>"I Built A Wind Charger For $400", by Jim Sencenbaugh, Handbook Of
>Homemade Power, published by The Mother Earth News, 1974, pages 186-197.
>Also published under the same title in Mother Earth News, #20, March,
>1973, pages 32-36.  Still another plan using chains, sprockets, and
>an automotive alternator.
>
>Intermediate
>
>12)
>"Do-It-Yourself Wind Generators", by Jim DeKorne, Producing Your
>Own Power, Rodale Press, 1974 (ISBN #0-87857-088-8), pages 43-60.
>While not complete plans, this excellent article describes a copy
>of the old Jacobs Twin Motor, a wind generator utilizing two aircraft
>generators, to produce up to 4800 watts.  Contains a lot of good
>tips, and a few details on rotor construction.
>
>13)
>Design and Construction of a Propeller Type Wind Electric Generator,
>by Jack N. Krueger, Bulletin #76-01-EE- 02, The Engineering Experiment
>Station, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, January, 1976.
>This 61 page bulletin walks you through the construction of up to
>a 3kW wind generator.  Included is a section on building fiberglass-coated
>wooden blades.
>
>14
>"The Noble Windgenerator" by Haven Nobel, Alternative Sources of Energy
>Magazine, #24, 1976 (ISBN #0- 917328-14-0), pages 4-10.  Very good
>plans for a timing belt driven automotive alternator.  Construction
>techniques for fiberglass-over-foam blades, details for a governor,
>and data on rewinding an alternator for 120 VDC.
>
>15
>Plans for Construction of a Small Wind-Electric Plant for Oklahoma
>Farms (Publication #33), by Arnold Benson, Oklahoma Agricultural
>and Mechanical College, Stillwater OK; June, 1937.  This 34 page
>bulletin contains details for rewinding small generators, and a good
>section on blade building including an excellent set of blade templates.
>Portions of this bulletin were reprinted in Wind Power Digest, #4,
>March, 1976, pages 42-55, under the title "A Small Wind-Electric
>Plant", by the same author.
>
>16
>"A 1000 Watt Windplant You Can Build", by John Shelley, Wind
>Power Digest, #16, Summer, 1979, pages 38-49.  Another gear
>driven automotive alternator.  Contains details for a governor
>and unique set of sheet metal blades.
>
>17
>The LeJay Manual, by Lawrence D. Leach, copyright 1945 by LeJay Mfg.
>Co.  This 32 page book belongs on every tinkerers bookshelf.  It
>has recently been republished by Lindsey Publications, P.O. Box 12,
>Bradley, IL, 660915-0012, and is available for $6.70, postpaid.
>Included in the many projects are several small wind generators,
>generator rewinding data, and the wooden blade plans that most of
>the above citations employ.
>
>18
>High-Speed Windgenerator Propeller Plans,
>by Kucharik Wind Electric, copyright 1980.  Available from American
>Performance Products, P.O. Box 1351, Island Heights, NJ, 08732-1351.
>Details the construction of a workable 2-blade airfoil for wind generators.
>While Kucharik Wind Electric is out of business, Jim Kucharik has
>agreed to make the plans available for $12, postpaid.
>
>Advanced
>
>19
>Building 3-Phase Alternators From 3-Phase AC Motors, copyright 1977
>by Norbert Klemp.  Seven intense pages of data describing how to
>rewind an ordinary 3-phase motor into a permanent magnet, direct-drive,
>slow speed alternator for wind applications.  Available for $15,
>postpaid, from Norb Klemp, 4806 W. Cedar Creek Rd., Grafton, WI,
>53024.
>
>20
>"Concentrated Alternator Design", by Edwin R. Fitzpatrick, Alternative
>Sources of Energy Magazine, #38, July/August, 1979 (ISBN #0-917328-28-0),
>pages 18-19.  Enough information is available in this short article
>to rewind a 3-phase AC motor to a wire-wound field, direct drive,
>slow speed DC generator.  All of the following plans are well drawn
>sets of blueprints that any machinist should be able to follow.
>Postpaid prices are listed in parenthesis.  Available from Tom Hill,
>RD #3, Box 806, Boyertown, PA, 19512.
>
>21
>Plans To Build Your Own 3 Bladed, Blade Activated Governor, 13'8"
>Diameter Rotor ($8.00). Plans To Build Your Own 2 Bladed, Blade
>Activated Governor, 13'8" Diameter Rotor ($8.00).  Plans To Build
>Your Own 2 Bladed, Blade Activated Governor, 9' Maximum Diameter
>Rotor ($8.00).  Plans To Build Your Own 6'6" Jacobs Type Blades
>for the Blade Activated Governor ($4.00).  Access
>
>
>
>Any feedback is appreciated.  If anyone knows of any other notable
>designs, send the details to "Letters to Home Power".
>
>Mick Sagrillo, Lake Michigan Wind & Sun, 3971 E Bluebird RD.,
>Forestville, WI 54213, USA, phone 414-837-2267, e-mail
><[email-masked]>.
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