Hello, sem.
I've been trying to put together a small, slow AC induction generator for quite some time now, and may be ready to put this one to bed.
Yes, I know small self-excited induction generators (SEIGs) don't work well, and neither do slow ones, but how small and how slow can you go?
I've got two of Burden's Surplus Center #10-1134 motors mounted back to back with a pipe nipple in the end bells, and a threaded rod joins the shafts. These are 400 rpm synch, and 225 rpm full load speed, 1/12 HP motors running on 110 VAC, 1A full load.
One works as a motor to drive the other for generator tests.
These are split-phase permanent capacitor motors. The generator has its main phase wired to a GC cap sub box in parallel with a 10/20/20 microfarad sub box I built. I find a capacitance of abou 25 ufd provides best wave shape and output intensity, but there has been no useable output.
What I am wondering is, when you drive an SEIG below synchronous speed, should it output essentially nothing (just remanence induced voltage), or should it, at such speeds, be well on its way to building up full output?
I know a synchronous machine operates as a motor below synch speed and a generator above. Does an SEIG show the same behavior, or does it output zero at zero speed, with increasing output to some point above synch speed at which it generates full output?
If the SEIG behavior emaulates the former, I have some hope for success. If it is the latter, I'd better cut my losses now, and move on.
Yours,
Doug Goncz Replikon Research Falls Church, VA 22044-2536