6 Volt Wind Generator Upgrade
 

I recently purchased a 6 volt wind generator and would like to upgrade
to 12 volts for charging RV battery at remote locations.

Question: Would a step-up switcher regulator do the trick?

Thanks!

"cnctut" wrote in message
oups.com...
I recently purchased a 6 volt wind generator and would like to upgrade
to 12 volts for charging RV battery at remote locations.

Question: Would a step-up switcher regulator do the trick?

Thanks!


It should, though keep in mind you'll lose 10-20% efficiency as switching
boost converters are normally 80-90% efficient. I've used a similar setup on
a small scale to charge batteries with small solar panels with success,
should be ok to scale it up.

For Jim Sweet--

Thanks for your help--I saw on one of your other posts some outlets for
switchers and will give them a try. I assume the same companies make
some type of charge contollers also.

Tut

"cnctut" wrote in message =
oups.com...
I recently purchased a 6 volt wind generator and would like to upgrade
to 12 volts for charging RV battery at remote locations.
=20
Question: Would a step-up switcher regulator do the trick?=20
=20
Thanks!
Buy a second generator and put them is series. This is not as stupid as =
it sounds.

David--actually a good idea I had considered. Saw one on Ebay awhile
back that was real cheap but couldn't make up my mind-- scrap the 6
volt and try to replace with 12v wind generator, rewind the 6v, buy and
series another 6v, or just buy more gasoline for the big generator. The
switcher sells for less that $5 and seems like a workable
solution--although I have no experience switchers.

Ideas?

Thanks

"cnctut" wrote in message
oups.com...
David--actually a good idea I had considered. Saw one on Ebay awhile
back that was real cheap but couldn't make up my mind-- scrap the 6
volt and try to replace with 12v wind generator, rewind the 6v, buy and
series another 6v, or just buy more gasoline for the big generator. The
switcher sells for less that $5 and seems like a workable
solution--although I have no experience switchers.

Ideas?

Thanks


What sort of generators do these use anyway? Would a standard automotive
alternator work?

Switchers are fun, they can be a challenge to get working though as many
(particularly higher frequency types) are rather sensitive to board layout
but there's some very good offerings out there these days that are
relatively easy to implement, at the very least poke through the datasheets.

"cnctut" wrote in message
oups.com...
David--actually a good idea I had considered. Saw one on Ebay awhile
back that was real cheap but couldn't make up my mind-- scrap the 6
volt and try to replace with 12v wind generator, rewind the 6v, buy and
series another 6v, or just buy more gasoline for the big generator. The
switcher sells for less that $5 and seems like a workable
solution--although I have no experience switchers.

Depending on the situation, also consider charging two 6 volt batteries in
parallel, then switch them in series to run the load. What is the load?

N

James Sweet wrote:

What sort of generators do these use anyway? Would a standard automotive
alternator work?

Car alternators are inefficient and need all the ancilliary equipment;
battery provides current for the field windings. From what I've read
about using these in "alternative power" applications is: don't.

Permanent magnet (rare earth) generators can be much lighter and are far
more efficient; I think that's what's in most small/domestic wind
generators now.

M

For James Sweet--your question...would standard auto alternator work?

Standard auto alternator would work--generator propeller turns at
250rpm or
less--auto alternator would need gearing I suspect.

For NSM- charge two 6 volt batteries...

This would work--currently I have 2-12V (1350 Amhr) batteries which
power 12v lights, heater fans, TV. Max drain is 6 Amps or
less--normally less than 1 Amp.

Was hoping to find something to attach to current 6 volt generator to
help with 12v loads.
Something simple and cheap. I have a small 12V inverter but its cut in
voltage is 10v. If I could get it to cut in at 3 or 4 volts I could
work with that also.

Ideas?

Thanks

"cnctut" wrote in message
ups.com...

Was hoping to find something to attach to current 6 volt generator to
help with 12v loads.
Something simple and cheap. I have a small 12V inverter but its cut in
voltage is 10v. If I could get it to cut in at 3 or 4 volts I could
work with that also.

It's sure do-able. What you will find is that simple designs aren't too
efficient. I'd look for a design using Mosfets and a ferrite transformer.
I'm sure Google is your friend.

N

"NSM" wrote in message
news:9omZd.36574$ZO2.27473@edtnps84...

"cnctut" wrote in message
ups.com...

Was hoping to find something to attach to current 6 volt generator to
help with 12v loads.
Something simple and cheap. I have a small 12V inverter but its cut in
voltage is 10v. If I could get it to cut in at 3 or 4 volts I could
work with that also.

It's sure do-able. What you will find is that simple designs aren't too
efficient. I'd look for a design using Mosfets and a ferrite transformer.
I'm sure Google is your friend.

N


National Semiconductor makes a Simple Switcher series which are both simple
designs and reasonably efficient, with parts exceeding 80 or 90% depending.
Most of them need only an inductor, a diode and a few resistors and caps to
work. I did a quick search and it looks like the LM2577 might do the trick.

James Sweet--

Thanks again for your help!

Tut