Your brushes are connected to the field coil…
It is those i connect to the output from the PWM
its the amount of current flowing from the PWM into the field coil that creates the needed magnetic field in the rotor coil. (field)
it is the rotating magnetic field (alternating) that generates induction in the stator windings from your alternator.
reducing or increasing the current in your field coil, changes the output current/voltage from your stator coil.
Knowing in what limits you can adjust the current/voltage towards your field coil is essential to “play” with the alternator output
edit: normally your alternator has a regulator, build in or an external.
I am talking about a modified version, no regulator present.
Koen:
I may have missed this, but when you use the term “PWM” are you talking about a packaged pulse width modulating device that is normally used to drive generator excitation? Or are you an Arduino guy who makes their own controller?
Thank you for the PWM controller information. Apparently the input is DC. What do you use to provide that direct current?
It appears that this device simply “chops” the incoming dc voltage. Is this correct?
Good morning KVL
On your toggle “Snap” switch controls it is wise to install/orientate so operator UP is ON (enabled). Operator Down is OFF (disabled).
This is more intuitive and allows for visual from a distance position verification.
Rotary controls here anymore for “moderns” digital folks can be a challenge describing clock-wise, versus counter-clockwise motions. Turn Left, and Turn Right works if you are always re-enforce viewing the Top edge as always UP.
All hard experiences learned operators training from the early 1990’s to present. Where one wrong swtiched mistake Opp’s caused damage and harm.
Steve Unruh
I think i learned well from “old school” guy’s as yourself.
I checked and indeed, i installed already, without further thinking about it, as you sugested.
Also the switches are lighted when up and current/tension is there.
Even the knob for increasing/decreasing the charging load, is similar to adjusting music/sound level or cold / warm water
Turn left is decreasing, right is increasing…
Very nice setup Koen.
What kind of distance do you get on the batteries? Is there a way of knowing not to exceed 50% charge, some kind of indicator light?
Keon, Where is the not like button, sorry mother nature got things all wet on you. Just before you showing. How long does it take for the waters to reseed? It looks like people just look for higher ground and go on with there every day life. Hope you had a good turn out any ways.
Bob
Koen this is a very interesting build. I was just thinking if you made one side if the solar panel mount adjustable you could angle the panels to be at the correct angle to the sun. I was part of a solar car team in college we did this by hinging the array at one end. It will make a big difference In how much power you get out of the panels.
Hi guys, I’m looking for some charcoal to kilowatts information and need some help. How many pounds/kilos of charcoal are needed to produce what number of watts? I have done some testing on this years ago but my digital storage bit the dust. I am also sure this info is somewhere on this site but after looking for the past hour I cannot find it. By the way, this site is amazing in the amount of information it contains! Hard to focus on the topic at hand when I start reading some of the threads. Just sucks me in!!! If any of you can give me information on char to watts I’d appreciate it. (can you also tell me what the char is made from? bamboo, hardwood, softwood)
Thanks, Gary in PA
Hey Gary, I looked back over my notes, and found the following:
Load test with a 612w average load for 1 hr:
Charcoal burned: 1350g/hr
Water burned: 325g/hr
So if my math is right, I would have to burn nearly 5 lbs (4.84) to make a kilowatt, or about 200wh/lb. I suspect that a larger engine might give better performance.
I dont seem to have a number for my charcoal density, but I feel like it is fairly low since it is made in an open atmosphere kiln. It was made from a mix of wood species, but probably most of it is doug fir, with a little maple and cherry mixed in.
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