I found a solution for the voltage regulator/rectifier (controller)for the alternator
Hi all, my first post here.
I found a solution for your voltage regulator/rectifier, to regulate the voltage coming from the alternator. I read this entire thread, hoping to find the solution here, and when I didn't, found it elsewhere.
For those of you using the CHICOM alternators (used in windmills), such as the:
CHICOM YAF-54 Small Alternator, Mini Generator:
http://small-generator.com/buy/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=8
or the next larger CHICOM Small Alternator, Mini Generator:
http://small-generator.com/buy/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=9
or even bigger:
http://small-generator.com/buy/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=10
Here is the list of all available at that site:
http://small-generator.com/buy/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
Since those alternators are used in windmills, I searched the windmill industry for an appropriate voltage regulator, but didn't find it. What's up with that???
I found the solution, in all places, in the solar panel industry. They make some seriously robust regulators that can easily handle the above alternators, and have tons of more very nice features.
This site has a whole slew of very nice regulators, here's the big list:
http://www.ecodirect.com/Solar-Charge-Controller-s/1.htm
As you can see, most of those are huge and very expensive, way too much for what we need here. However, if you look at their cheapest units, well, they can easily handle the above alternators, and are quite robust, having features from the much more expensive models.
Here is the cheapest one, can easily handle the above alternators:
http://www.ecodirect.com/Morningstar-SunGuard-SG-4-12-Volt-4-5-Amp-p/morningstar-sunguard-sg-4.htm
For $25, that one can handle alternator output up to 30v and 4.5 amps, and automatically convert it to 12v for you, cutting off any peak above:
http://www.ecodirect.com/Morningstar-SunGuard-SG-4-12-Volt-4-5-Amp-p/morningstar-sunguard-sg-4.htm
The one I want for $36 can handle up to 10 amps, but it's the International model, not for sale in the US
http://www.ecodirect.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Morningstar-SHS-10&gclid=CLeWtcni77MCFQioPAodJ34Ayw
They have many more, that just keep getting bigger and bigger.
Make sure you read the difference between the MPPT and PWM Charge Controllers, it's interesting reading.
I have been researching a similar project to your bike, except mine will be a bit more. I want to put a California-legal motor on a 3-wheel bicycle, add two batteries, and load that sucker up to handle lights, a stereo, tv/dvd player, and other goodies.
I found a cool custom machine shop that makes diy conversion kits for 2, 3 and 4-wheel bicycles:
http://www.staton-inc.com/store/catalog/9_Three_Trike_Four_Wheel_Quad_Gear_Chain_Enigne_Motor_Kits-28-1.html
They also make custom gear drive boxes for you, to attach the motor, and even the alternator directly, many pages, here is one of them:
http://www.staton-inc.com/store/catalog/14_Staton_Inc_Drive_Components-27-10.html
For my 3-wheel California-legal bike, I'm looking at this one, to directly connect the motor and the alternator:
http://www.staton-inc.com/store/products/18_75_to_1_reduction_gearbox_reverse_Tri_Hybrid_Gear_and_Chain_Drive-904-27.html
Or this one:
http://www.staton-inc.com/store/products/18_75_to_1_Reduction_Gearbox_Dual_output_Shaft-833-27.html
I've been researching my bike solution for a while now, still in the planning stages, but have links to many more interesting sites, if anyone is interested. I stumbled across this site too, and this is where I want to be!
I hope these links help somebody.
Cheers,
Daryl
ps it is extremely hard to post on this site, due to the extremely hard to read "Image Verification" box. You guys must have 20/20 vision. I don't. It's aggravating.