building microwind and microhydro generators

I should maybe add to this that as regards the microhydro, I would really like to find out about the the most eco friendly method since this site is otherwise pristine.

Dominic

Lord knows where you are getting your info now, (induction generators make no sense off grid) but try

Lots of useful info, especially if you take the time to read through "the old stuff" (what they used to do) and learn from what they have changed after experience, rather than re-inventing the wheel yourself.

Wikipedi, amongst others. My understanding is that it is convenient way to get a stable AC frequency.

Thanks!

Dominic

I'm pretty sure that neither are feasible, certainly at the 1 KW power level.

You can calculate the power possible from 1 cf/sec water flow, but you have to know the head (pressure) available. I knew a guy who had a stream on a hillside; he built a small dam uphill and ran a pipe from there down to his house, diverting part of the stream's flow, and ran a pump backwards, spinning an alternator. He had over 200 feet of vertical drop, so got close to 100 psi pressure to work with. I don't think it was worth the effort, and you'd probably have to divert your entire stream to get useful output. Figure under 50% efficiency for a good water-wheel and a good generator, much less if you use makeshift stuff.

If you can't do the calculations, I wouldn't attempt the project.

Pack in propane.

John

Someone is finally selling fuel cells. What a joke. :)

No. An induction machine is an easy way to put power onto the grid _at the grid's frequency_ without having to either mechanically or electrically synchronize your generator.

Off grid, an induction machine would require some pretty fancy electronics to impose a "grid like" voltage for the generator to work against.

My first guess at a quick & dirty generator would be a car alternator, at least if you just want 12VDC from lead-acid batteries. It's very best feature is that if you pick one that's common then replacement parts can be found at the nearest junkyard (or the nearest neighbor with the right vehicle, if you're not terribly scrupulous).

But I've never done this, so do check what people are really using.

That's nothing new. Fuel cells have been a joke for 50 years at least.

John

To offer a $5000 unit that barely produces 25 watts, along with replacement laptop power supplies they are too small to power is kind of funny. :)

Try the energy groups, esp alt.energy.homepower

This one's well considered btw.

Graham

Define 'eco friendly' !

In one energy group there's a poster who has made his own microhydro using a Pelton Wheel method. He posts often. Look in the archives. As well as the homepower group look at alt.energy.reneweable.

Beware of the 'free power' overunity cranks around esp in sci.energy.

Graham

They're pretty inefficient. Permament magnet alternators can do much better.

Graham

Graham

Never mind the 'hydrogen economy'. Sadly most greens and politicians have no brains, so they think it's the greatest 'new thing'.

Graham

Imagine running a methanol fuel cell near electronics. Or stashing one in a briefcase.

John

Imagine trying to get it and the fuel past the TSA.

Thanks for ideas. I am quite able to do some math, but need to get some tips on reasoning this correctly. My friend now tells me that he made a mistake and the flow is more like

Dominic

Thanks!

Dominic

I am not yet sure what is and is not eco friendly, but I am not going to dig up the entire area. Ideally, when I leave this world, the generator can disappear without a trace of having been there. This can be done with a wind generator.

Dominic