View Single Post
Old 08-05-15, 02:43 PM   #2
sunspot
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 146
Thanks: 30
Thanked 35 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilTheCop View Post
My idea is to have a turbine... geared up
That's the killer for an automotive alternator. Even a small, high speed, wind turbine only spins what? ~500 rpm? (guessing). Not nearly enough to get any real power out of your alternator. And with a small, high speed, wind turbine you'd need a tiny alternator (motorcycle?) or the 600ish watt load of a car alternator would simply stop it at cut in - barring some fancy electronics. To make this easier to visualize, would your windmill overpower and spin your tablesaw backwards?

You might have an easier time with a permanent magnet DC motor from a treadmill or similar.

Sounds like a fun project in any case. Good luck!
sunspot is offline   Reply With Quote