Note added at end of 2017:
For some reason this page is the most popular page on my blog, and there has been a stream of comments and discussion. I am glad if it is useful but I feel the need to point out that all of the alternators I build now have 3 coils for every 4 poles.
For example 12 magnets and 9 coils as in the 2F design.
I have used several other arrangements but this 10 pole 12 coil one below is the whackiest ever, and although it does work (very well) I am not suggesting it’s the best solution.
– Hugh 2017-
Coils wound in pairs using 2-in-hand 1.6mm diameter wire. Each coil has 37 turns in the one we did for the workshop.
Coils in each pair are roughly ‘in phase’ if one is flipped over as shown. (Actually there is still 30 degrees of electrical phase difference between them, so they are each 15 degrees off the total combined phase angle, which means about 3.5% loss of voltage.)
Pairs that are opposite to each other are ‘in phase’ if connected backwards as shown above. Then the phases are connected in star by linking all of the starts to a neutral (black wires).
This alternator uses 10 poles made from ferrite magnets. When magnets are fitted tightly together like this it makes sense to me to use smaller coils with smaller holes and benefit from the shorter turns in each coil. It’s fun to try something different anyway.
The same winding could work with 14 magnets. But I see no merit in doing this. Maybe somebody can? The inner turns would get more induction from smaller poles, but there would be more leakage flux.
Hi Hugh,
I’m constructing a micro VAW turbine (which I know you don’t like) to charge a 12V battery that will be used to power pure sign wave inverter to top up my Ebike battery
The 12V charge rate only needs to be small, as it will be running constantly, and the bike battery charged a few times a week, so I am using a 9 coil 12 magnet design, (Neo magnets 20 x 10 x 5mm)
For ease of construction, I only intend to use one disc of magnets, and I understand that it is beneficial in this case to use an iron disk behind the coils.
My question is, do I attach the coils directly to the disk, or should there be an air gap, or will just a thin sheet of insulating material suffice? Thank you very much Best wishes…Pete
hi Pete, Goodluck with that. The magnets are very small and the VAWT… But I do have useful input. The second disk behind the stator must spin along with the magnets. This is important otherwise it will act like a brake. Make sure it is spinning and put the coils in the stator between the two spinning disks. One with magnets facing the coils. Cheers Hugh
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Hello sir, I am trying to copy this experiment but cannot find the same size wire thickness, would it be possible use 1.2 mm wire and increase the turns to 45 in order to compensate the thickness difference ?
Hi tony,
You can use four wires in hand 1.2mm and this will work in place of 2 wires 1.6mm. Or you can double the number of turns in the coils and connect the coils in parallel pairs. There are several possible options here. But I hope you took note of the statement above that I don’t recommend this design. I only published it as an oddity that happens to work.
Going to a different number of turns will affect the output voltage at a given rpm. You could roughly double the number of turns or fit twice as many wires (same turns) using 1.2mm compared to 1.6 as the area depends on square of diameter. But the whole design has to work in terms of blade diameter and operating voltage.
cheers
Hugh
is it possible to recommend a better design because I would like to experiment in this field and seeing it light up at the end
Hello sir home made wind turbine generator 3 phase 14 gague copper wire used 80 turns 9 coil N35 magnet 24 use 2 disc magnet rotar output dc voltage 24/35 output amps calculation and watt minimum maximum sir please help
Hello Rajgonada,
I don’t know what you are asking. If you are building a 8 foot diameter turbine with 80 turns of 14 AWG wire then this is suitable for charging a 12V battery. There are 3 coils in each phase but the coils would be connected star or Wye with the 9 wires output fed to the rectifier with many diodes in it. This design is not intended for a 24V battery. You can connect the coils in series instead, and then perhaps the whole thing in delta if this is for an 8 footer. But I do not understand why you start off winding coils for the wrong voltage. Please explain what you are going to do with the alternator.
cheers
Hugh
Hello Sir,
I am new to wind power. Fortunately I have been able to design a wind-like generator that produces 27-29 continues VDC. What I mean by continuous is that it does not fluctuate below 26v or above 29v. My problem is how to connect it to batteries. Should I connect the wires directly from the generator to the batteries or I need a charge controller? If I do need a charge controller, which particular one do you recommend?
hi Kajang,
Normally the voltage from a wind turbine will vary directly with its speed and is very volatile until you connect it to the battery. The battery connection must be through a fuse or breaker for safety and if there is no rectifier in the generator then you need a blocking diode to prevent current running backwards to the generator (and motoring the wind turbine).
Connect the generator to the battery (positive to positive, negative to negative) via the fuse etc. When the generator is charging the battery, the battery voltage will rise. If you are not supervising this process then you need to use a diversion charge controller to avoid over-charging the battery. I recommend a Tristar controller in diversion mode. http://scoraigwind.co.uk/installing-and-configuring-a-tristar-controller-for-a-wind-system/
cheers
Hugh
Hi.my name is Cristian.I want to make a generator on 24 volts.I want to use 28 magnets 25x50x10 Neodymium n42 on one side 28 on one side.56 magnets.I want to make 3phase with 7 coils per phase.pls help me with the dimensions of coils and how many turns need per coil.I want yo use 1.6mm wire.thank you
Rotor disk=5mm thick & 7″ size
Rpm= 750
hi Rayhan,
try using 70 turns of 20 AWG wire in each of six coils. Connect two in each phase in series and connect the 3 phases star/wye. You can maybe get 30W at 750 rpm at 12Vdc.
cheers
Hugh
Hello Sir,
I need your suggest for a wind alternator.
Magnet =30*20*6(adjusted 2*3=6mm neodymium)
Rotor disk=5mm thick & 7″ size.
ac vold=12
Phase=3
Pole=8
How can I use of coil turns, coils size & number of AWG size & how many AMP of this alternator.
Hi Rayhan,
Sorry but I need complete information including the number and size of magnet rotors and the rpm. It would really be much simpler if you could just follow one of the designs I have created for people to follow. then ask questions if you want.
cheers
Hugh
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Hello Sir,
I have 12 Slots Coil winding Stator size per winding is 50mm Diameter, 20 Magnets N35 -Double rotor. What would be my output current 3Phase and Can you teach How to make a Circuit from DC to AC.. Thanks it would be appreciated
Manuel
hi Manuel,
I am sorry but incomplete information is no good. I would need to know the size of the magnets and the rpm and the voltage. All the facts.
To convert DC to AC you will need an inverter.
cheers
Hugh
Hi Hugh thanks. I’m just simply experimenting. don’t know what kind of power I want just maybe light up a bulb. I only ask about 3 phase because I’m under the impression that makes it low torque. I have some materials three different gauge wires I suppose they all need to be uniform in size. Makes sense. So for now back to studying and collecting materials. Once again thanks for your time. Joe Southern California
hi Joe,
Ultimately the amount of torque will be determined by the electrical load and the losses. 3-phase gives a smoother torque as the load is continuous whereas single phase the load is lumpy. You will need to apply enough torque to generate the power and to overcome the loss in the windings.
cheers
Hugh
Hello hugh. I am a total beginner with PMA. This is probably a stupid question. Can my coils be made from different gauge wire. What would be the minimum number of coils and magnets needed to make a 3-phase circuit. Thanks for your time.
hi
The way I do it is I choose the number of turns in the coil so as to achieve the desired voltage at the desired rpm. I then choose the largest wire size that I can fit with this number of turns. I suppose you could make 3 phase power with 3 coils and 2 magnets. I think 3 coils and 4 magnets is a better layout though.
Hugh
Sir
I need your help. I have some speaker magnet (farite ring) out dia 50, in gap 15, thick 15 mm. Please told me that, is this magnet are helpful for 15 amp wind generator?
hi Rayhan,
You can learn a lot from this page http://scoraigwind.co.uk/2011/07/pedros-microwave-ferrite-magnet-turbine/
cheers
Hugh
Hi to all the boffins in cyberspace, does anybody know the internal wiring used in the Proven 15k wind turbine generator. I am trying to adapt an old one for direct heating but I need to get it to produce higher voltage to match immersion heater elements. I need something in the region of 200 to 400 volts. The generator seems to produce about 50 volts at rated speed. Is there any way to rearrange the wiring or if not will a large transformer step up the voltage successfully ?
hi Kevin,
I find it hard to believe that the 15kW wind turbine operates at 50Vdc and 300A. Possibly your meter was confused by the low frequency? Try rectifying it to DC and testing that.
It is hard to put a transformer on a proven due to the low frequency. I have done it but you need to drop the operating voltage and it becomes costly and inefficient.
I think when you find out the real voltage it will be something you can work with. Bear in mind that the heater will stall the turbine in low winds and prevent startup. So you may need a controller of some kind.
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir,
I working a new project and it low rpm car type alternator project.I modify a car alternator to low rpm and install a magnet rotor.
It’s 24 volt 20 amp.
My question to you that– My idea is good or
bad???
If my idea is not good I stop my project.
Please suggest me!!!!!
Hi Rubel,
I am sorry to say that it is never going to be very powerful or efficient. If you have to use a car alternator then you can get a result but it’s not a good place to start. I do not think you will get 20A out of it at low rpm.
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir
One more question….
If I build 1 phase PMG (16 awg).Can I have 10 amp (max) DC ??
Please suggest me.
hi
If you use single phase then the DC current will be lower than the AC rms current. Maybe about 50-70%, depending on the impedance and waveform. So maybe around 5A DC would be suitable. No more than 8A.
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir
I build a PMG 12v with 16 awg on 3 phase.
I don’t calculated real amp.I need your suggest. How many amp on this pmg.
Please!!!!!!
Grade 3 ferrite magnet blocks 20 x 50 x 50mm.
6 coils & 100 turns on 420 rpm.
hi Rubel
see this post http://scoraigwind.co.uk/2018/05/wire-size-and-current/
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir,
If I build a wind turbine with 14 awg wire size for 3 phase. Then I have max 15 amp DC for 1 phase(your suggested chart). Now 3 phase DC amp is,
fifteen *root three = 25.98 amp.
Am I right or wrong ?
Please help me.
hi Rayhan,
The relationship between AC current in each phase and the DC output of the rectifier depends on the waveform. But the simplest way to think of it is to say that each wire carries the full DC current for 2/3 of the time and is resting for 1/3 of the time. The result is the rms current is root(2/3) = 0.82 times the DC current. In reality the wires share current some of the time so the % is lower in relation to the DC by this is the worst case and it is very close to the reality usually.
So maximum DC current should be about 1.22 x maximum allowed AC current as in the table.
cheers
Hugh
hi
See this new post http://scoraigwind.co.uk/2018/05/wire-size-and-current/
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir…
can i ask u something.?
sorry if hard to understand,iam not really good with english…
now the question….
how i winding coil in alternator that have about 12 pole and 12 coils …
can i make a 3 phase alternator with that one???
if i can can u make the pict about it…. ??
hi
If you have 12 poles and 12 coils then you will be working with single-phase output. Be careful to connect the finish of coil one to the finish of coil 2 and the start of coil2 to the start of coil 3 etc. In other words connect coils 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 backwards.
If you want 3-phase then I suggest that you use 9 coils.
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir,
How many flux density B (Tesla) per sq.m on neodymium magnet ? Plz help me!
& what’s the formula to calculation?
hi
The manufacturer will tell you the remanence Br which is the maximum flux but you won’t see that much flux if there is an air gap. Put an air gap roughly the same as the magnet’s own thickness and you will get half of the remanence. If Br is 1.2T then with a gap you get about 600 mT.
cheers
Hugh
Hello sir,
would you give any opinion about creating double coil-stator with single magnet-rotor to produce double 3-phase electricity ? (the idea is to use both surface of permanent magnet)
thanks
hi Arif,
it’s a good question. What you need to understand is that the magnet has a certain amount of strength to fill an air gap with flux. If you give the magnet two air gaps to work with (one on each side for example) then it will not be able to fill them both as well as one. the magnet and the gap is like a battery with resistances in a a circuit. Put more resistances into the circuit and you will get less current.
So if you make the magnet work with a magnetic circuit on each side you will get lower flux density. There is no free lunch to be had here. I like to put magnets on both sides of the air gap so they work together like batteries in series to maximise the flux in that gap. If you give each magnet two gaps to work with on its own then the flux will be weak.
I suggest you study magnetic circuits and the concept of reluctance. Then use this knowledge to design magnetic circuits that give a high flux density.
cheers
Hugh
Many many thanks for your reply. I build my alternator turbine.
Thanks sir for your reply,
How many thik on stator?
And how many gap between 2 magnet disk (magnet to magnet).
plz help me.
1/2 inch thick coils and 3/4 inch between magnet faces.
Hugh
Hello sir,
I reading continue your post.
I need your suggest for a wind alternator.
Magnet =30*20*2mm(neodymium)
Rotor disk=5mm thik & 7″ inc size.
Ac vold=12
Phase=3
Amp=20(minimum)
Rpm=low
Pole=8 or 6
How can I use of coil turns, coils size & number of AWG size & how many magnets of 2 rotor disk ??
hi
2 disks
8 magnets on each disk
6 coils with 200 turns per coil of #20AWG wire.
Have fun
Hugh
Hello sir,
The rotor disk is 6 inc’ * 3 mm thick.
But, I have no good idea for coil size.
Can I use 1 rotor disk here.?
hi
I don’t really have time to do a complete alternator design for a single phase machine that I am unfamiliar with, but if you can send me drawings of of the magnet and coil shapes then I can quickly predict the output. I don’t understand why you do not use one of my standard designs that work well. single phase AC is not going to be useful to you. YOu will need a battery and I suggest you use three phase and rectify that to DC. If you can give me a good reason why you want 24V (rms?) AC at 50Hz then I would be more motivated to help with this.
You can use one disk but you will get roughly 50% higher voltage if you use a second disk on the other side. (bare steel disk). 3mm is rather thin and you will do better with 5 or 6mm thick.
cheers
Hugh
Must be 50Hz & how many RPM.
hi
With 8 poles you will get 50Hz at 750 rpm.
I don’t understand why you want single phase. When you say 24V – is that 24V rms AC voltage?
I guess you need about 5 turns per coil but you don’t give me enough detail. I don’t know what size the rotor disk is so I don’t know what size coils you can fit into it.
cheers
Hugh
How many watts for 24V at low RPM on this magnets? Please give me details of turns, coils & number of AWG size.
Hello sir, I have 8 neodymium magnet (40*20*2mm).I needs 24v AC single phase on 500 watts low rpm. Please suggest me, can I do 500 watt?If it’s ok,then please give me full details and diagam.
hi Resad,
I would not say that you can build a 500W alternator at low rpm using these magnets, no. The rpm will be very high or the watts will be very low.
Hugh
hi i have 16 magnets in the rotor and 24 coils in stator of 360 rpm alternator. please guide on whether its single phase / three phase ?
hi
Yes 16 poles and 12 coils means a 3-phase system. Using that 4:3 ratio is what I do almost all the time.
Hugh
Hello i have problem i do exactly same 12coil and 10 pole 3 phase generator(to my stirling engine)… but i have problem my output voltage show 1.5 voltage but it doesnt light the led.. i dont understand multimeter shows 1.5 voltage.. i used 6 diodes to ac to dc..
im not very good in electrivity
I put pictures to .. Thanks and sorry my bad english im from Estonian.
PICTURE 1 https://ibb.co/ctVvyk
PICTURE 2 https://ibb.co/fCxKPQ
hi ramon,
II am not surprised the voltage is low as you have a big space between the magnets and the windings. The coils should be flat and close to the magnets and if possible have magnets on both sides (2 disks).
I don’t really know why this page is so popular. I only built one alternator with 10 poles and 12 coils like this just for fun but it’s not the simplest or the best way to make and alternator. Mostly I would do 12 poles and 9 coils.
have fun
HUgh
Hello sir,
I want to make to make retarder. For that i have to make coils that generate magnetic field in retarder. This will give higher brake life in commercial vehicle.
Let me know design parameters of design coil.
i.e. How can deside turns?
What material need to us etc.
Hi,i need simple dynamo how can make sir plz send details.
hi
Have a look at this page and read some of my stuff. I am happy to answer questions but I can’t repeat all that to every person who asks. YOu need to simply read my books a bit to find the basic answers. http://scoraigwind.co.uk/all-of-the-books-by-hugh-how-to-get-them/
have fun!
Hugh
Hi sir. i wanna ask how to calculate the number of turns of axial flux permanent magnet generator (Multi stage AFPMG) i want to use coreless stator.
Parameters:
24 magnets
300rpm
60 hz
3phase
y -connected
hi Mark,
I this for rectifying and charging a battery? What is the battery voltage? Is it going to run at exactly 300rpm 60Hz and if so why is that?
What size are the magnets? please describe the geometry of the PMG. How thick are the magnets and what is the gap between their faces?
I need to know a lot more before I can give you an answer sorry.
Hugh
Hi
You are doing a tremendous job for quite some time, and I really appreciate this time consuming effort of yours, my best wishes and prayers for you,
I too have got hooked to producing green energy and have built a apparatus driven by wind, it’s vertical driven system, with a big pulley of 48’’ (inches) at the base, by placing around 36 Kg on the pulley it was able to rotate at 9 RPM, if the weight is reduced more RPM are produced, if a small pulley of 1.5’’ is used then around 400+ RPM can be attained with stated weight.
I have placed ordered for 40 neo magnets (and intended to make two rotor of 16 magnets each) individual magnet size 1.57’’at the wide side, 0.78’’ at the narrow end, 2’’ length, and .25’’ thick, N 42 type. (A circle of Outer Diameter of 8’’ X inner Diameter of 4’’has been cut into 8 segments)
To prepare dual axial flux alternator what will be your best recommendation for;
Best size of rotor and how many magnets on each rotor, plus orientation of magnets which size to be on 12 o’clock of rotor and which on 3 o’clock
Wire size,(thickness & turns), and shape, can the hole of wounded coil be smaller than magnet size so that we can have a broader and less thicker shaped coil arrangement, so more wire will be exposed to highly concentrated magnetic flux ,
I have been reading your old blogs, one that interested most was about placing small iron shaving in the coil to enhance the flux force, I too have been thinking on the same line and wanted to experiment and observe the flux concentration, you have confirmed flux intensity will increase and will produce more heat and vibration, as far as heat is concerned, it’s understood, but vibration? In which part this will occur, rotor or stator, if you can elaborate on this.
Thanks and keep the good work going.
Shahid a Dar
hi Shahid a Dar,
When you state that you put 36kg on the pulley is this a braking load? so the torque is calculated from 36kg acting at 24″ radius? If so then I think that at 9rpm this would be 200 watts mechanical power. But you do not state what windspeed this is at.
Anyway it is easy to generate 200 watts at 400 rpm using one of the smallest alternators in my recipe book. For example you could use the “1800 mm” turbine’s alternator which has magnet rotors 10 inches in diameter. OR 250mm in diameter as I prefer to use mm.
You have way more magnets than you would need for this project at this power and rpm.
I can’t advise the details of the coils without knowing what your desired output voltage will be.
cheers
Hugh
Hi hugg.
Its me umair khan . I want to make 2500 watts stator for wind turbine this is 16 pole and 12 coils. 10 foot blades leangth. And I want to use 7 strength of coper magnet wire but witch size I have to use 2500 watts AWG 14# or 17# gauge and how many turns 77 or 84 turns per coile for 24v 2500 watts. I have your recipe Book but there is no information like this. I watche one video in you tube one spanish guy is making 16 pole 24v 2500 watts wind turbine. I know for 12v 24v 48v turns for these voltage and 1000 watts but I want to desine 2500 watts . Plz reply me soon as possible. Thanks in advance for your kindness.
hi Umair khan,
If you want to use a big alternator on 10 foot blades for 2500 watts in strong winds then it can be done but it will not work well in low winds.
I suggest you connect the coils in 4 separate star groups to rectifier like my 12 volt designs. But use 60 turns, with 2 in hand #15 AWG wire or 1 single #12 gage wire.
This will work well in strong winds to give 2500 W at 24V, but it will not be so good in lower windspeeds.
Hugh
I have a 3 phase motor 45 kw 580 rpm 50 hz and 72 slots. Can you help me to calculate the number of coils, turns, and drawing of the 10-pole.
hi Ashraf,
Please could you help me understand what you are doing? Are you simply rewinding this motor?
I can design permanent magnet motors if I know the dimensions and the flux density and voltage.
I do not have experience with designing induction motors.
I need more information and maybe I can help you.
cheers
Hugh
Hi
You are doing a tremendous job for quite some time, and I really appreciate this time consuming effort of yours, my best wishes and prayers for you,
I too have got hooked to producing green energy and have built a apparatus driven by wind, it’s vertical driven system, with a big pulley of 48’’ (inches) at the base, by placing around 36 Kg on the pulley it was able to rotate at 9 RPM, if the weight is reduced more RPM are produced, if a small pulley of 1.5’’ is used then around 400+ RPM can be attained with stated weight.
I have placed ordered for 40 neo magnets (and intended to make two rotor of 16 magnets each) individual magnet size 1.57’’at the wide side, 0.78’’ at the narrow end, 2’’ length, and .25’’ thick, N 42 type. (A circle of Outer Diameter of 8’’ X inner Diameter of 4’’has been cut into 8 segments)
To prepare dual axial flux alternator what will be your best recommendation for;
Best size of rotor and how many magnets on each rotor, plus orientation of magnets which size to be on 12 o’clock of rotor and which on 3 o’clock
Wire size,(thickness & turns), and shape, can the hole of wounded coil be smaller than magnet size so that we can have a broader and less thicker shaped coil arrangement, so more wire will be exposed to highly concentrated magnetic flux ,
I have been reading your old blogs, one that interested most was about placing small iron shaving in the coil to enhance the flux force, I too have been thinking on the same line and wanted to experiment and observe the flux concentration, you have confirmed flux intensity will increase and will produce more heat and vibration, as far as heat is concerned, it’s understood, but vibration? In which part this will occur, rotor or stator, if you can elaborate on this.
Thanks and keep the good work going.
Shahid a Dar
Salam,
1. Please suggest me magnet size and qty, Coil turn and gauge , Coil size , rotor size,
but rpm lessthen 900.
2. can i use aluminium for rotor.
3. Can i build coreless stator.
Please help me. Because i will drive this alternator with bicycle because electricity issue and i can not charge my battery.
Sorry for inconvenience my english is very bad.
Thanks
hi Danish,
The best way to get maximum output from your magnets is to use a steel disk for the magnet rotor (and even better to use a second steel disk spinning on the other side of the stator). aluminium will no do the job. Steel is what you need for magnetic flux.
Using the 12 magnets 20 x 10 x 5 you can only hope for about 20 watts or about 1.5 amps, not 20 amps.
If you want to get 20 amps at less than 900 rpm then you can do this using 8 magnets, each of which is 46 x 30 x 10 (as in my Recipe Book).The diameter of the steel disk is 260mm. If this seems like a good solution then I can help you with more details. Here is a page with some pictures.
If you want to tell me another size of magnet closer to this one that you would like to use, ndfeb or ferrite/ceramic type then let me know and I will help.
cheers
Hugh
Good Day Sir. I am now working to make a permanent magnet generator with a 8 inch diameter wooden rotor and 9 inch diameter coreless stator. The rotor will have 24 magnets with 20 x 10 x 5 mm with n52 neodymium.
So please suggest me coil size , wire guage for 12 vdc 20 amps for battery charging.
I can’t purchase your book so please sent me help for build this.
[email protected]
hi Danish,
I really do recommend that you use a steel disk for the rotor. this will make the magnetic flux much more powerful. So that I can understand you, is this a single disk with magnets facing a single disk with coils? The centres of the coils must match the centres of the magnets, so the stator disk is therefore bigger than the rotor disk due to the ends of the coils projecting outward.
Finally I do need to know the speed at which you plan to spin this. But I can tell you it’s going to have to be extremely fast to get 20 amps out of it.
Hugh
Thanks Sir for your reply,
I am using wooden rooter and stator like this,
http://www.otherpower.com/pmg2.html
and i have only 24 magnets with 20 x 10 x 5 mm with n52 neodymium,
Required:
Volts 12vdc
Current <= 20amps
RPM <= 900
Your cooperation shall be highly appreciated in this regard.
Thanks
hi Danish,
It’s a bad idea. Your magnets are too small. They did that trick by using a lot of very big magnets, but the wooden design did not use them to their full potential. If you want to use the small magnets then I suggest you use a steel disk. Also if you want to run at 900 rpm then you will need a proper shaft and bearings. Possibly you could get 20 amps out from it if you optimise the design, but making it from wood was a stunt rather than an optimal solution. They happened to have a lot of big powerful magnets. You don’t.
cheers
Hugh
How many winding counts we get in dynamo 12v output plz explain I need picture all so sir.
How many turns coil in 12v dynomo
Plz explain pictures all so.
hi
the number of turns will depend on several factors:
The number of magnets,
The size of magnets,
The number of coils,
The arrangement series/parallel/star/delta connected
the rpm you are spinning it at
So there is no simple answer without these other details, sorry.
Hugh
Please can i see a 36 coil connection diagram? I want to compare it with the one i sketch myself to see if i got it right
hi
I don’t understand why all of this discussion is taking place in the comments on a 10-pole 12-coil stator that I built one time as an experiment 🙂
Normally I would use 3 coils for four magnets, giving 3-phase and the wiring scheme is the same for all sizes from 3 coils to 36 coils and beyond. This wiring scheme is clearly illustrated in several diagrams in my Recipe Book so that it’s easy to understand. I really do not have time to draw a 36 coil version for you, sorry. Last time I did some design work for you it turned out you did not want to spend money on magnets. OK man, spend some money now. Buy my book and buy some magnets and stop wasting everyone’s time.
Sorry if that was rude but it’s how I feel.
Have fun with your project!
Hugh
Hi, my alternator is to run a few homes appliances like tv, dvd, fan and ligtings but if i don’t like the way it functions i will just add the diodes and use the dc for powering a universal motor or other dc machines.
I just realised neodyniums are too expensive i’m thinking of trying magnets from tv speakers. They are like cylindrical irons and i wonder if they would perform well if i get 12 of them. How do you think i can use them?
hi Atonye,
What is going to drive your alternator? How will it produce the exact amount of power that you need? What will govern its speed?
Have a look at this microwave magnet project http://scoraigwind.co.uk/2011/07/pedros-microwave-ferrite-magnet-turbine/
cheers
Hugh
Thanks for the assistance. I’ll try it out to see how it goes and i’ll let you know the result
Hi
Bear in mind that the alternator will need a fair bit of cooling air blowing over it if you wish to convert 1200 watts. I design for wind turbines that have good cooling but I have no idea what your application is for this.
Hugh
Thanks for quick respond. How many turns of coil would you recommend in each of the 12 coils
Hi Atonye,
It has been a few years since I built a single phase machine and there are also a lot of details about your situation that are unclear to me but I suggest you try 30 turns per coil and connect them in series.
Do not forget that every second coil must be “backwards” because it faces the opposite magnet. so you must connect finish of coil 1 to finish to coil 2 and start of coil 2 to start of coil 3 and so on… If the voltage is too high you can increase the air gap to reduce it.
Have fun and let us know how it works.
Hugh
Should i can make 12 coils since there 12 magnets?
yes you will need to have the same number of coils as magnets if you want single phase output. If the coils do not meet the magnets at the same time you will get different phases.
Also you have to understand about frequency. If you use 12 poles and you want 50Hz then you will have to run at 500rpm. You do not have a choice of speed.
This is what i have in mind to make.
Single phase
9 coils(0.8sq.mm)
rpm=500 to 1000
12 poles from 12 magnets(2×2.5×0.65 inches)
frequency=50hz
power=1200watts
i would be spinning it with a motor with speed of my choice 0 to1000rpm.
Take a look and help me correct any errors in specifications. Thank you for your time.
Hi, assuming i want to do a single phase of 120vac 1200watts can you give me the specs like number of coils, number of turns in each coil, number of magnets, rpm?
hi Atonye,
If you want to get 120V AC single phase direct off the alternator then yes it is possible. But the actual voltage will depend on the load. The open circuit voltage is one thing but when the load comes on the voltage will fall. Another thing you need to consider is the frequency. If you want to have 50 or 60 Hz then you need to use the right number of magnet poles. For example you can make 50 Hz with 2 poles at 3000 rpm, 4 poles at 1500, 6 poles at 1000 rpm etc.
Tell me the speed and the frequency and the number of poles and the power and everything and maybe I can help.
For single phase the number of coils should be the same as the number of magnets.
It’s possible to design an alternator that will give you this output but unless you have a constant load, the voltage will be always changing with the load. The only situation where I can see this working is where you have a hydro turbine or suchlike providing constant input power and then you run a load that is constant or you have a diversion load controller that regulate the voltage but using the excess power that you do not choose to use.
Really hardly anyone does this nowadays. It is much more convenient to use a battery and an inverter if you do not have grid power. The inverter can give you a lot more power than the average produced by the turbine and give it to you when you need it.
I hope this helps.
Hugh
What’s the best way to produce a powerful 120vac for home use?
hi
first you need a power source. I would choose hydro power as my first choice if I could find a suitable site. Or use solar or wind power. Charge a battery. Or if you are on the grid you can use a grid tied inverter. It’s not a great idea to produce Ac directly because the amount you produce will not match the amount you want to use at any given instant. So the supply will be unstable.
I hope this helps
Hugh
Hi, my name is Atonye
i’m about to make a 120vac alternator of
20 inches outer diameter
3 phase with 9 coils and 12 neodynium magnets.
Coil thickness=0.8mm
number of turns in each coil with small holes=870 turns
magnet size in inches=2 x 2.5 x .625
connection type=star.
Rpm=1000
I’m hoping to squeeze out about 1,200watts from it.
I’m i on the right path or is there a better and more effective way of doing it?
hi Atonye,
I wonder why you want three phase AC? Mostly we use these alternators to make DC for batteries or for grid tied inverters. You have too many turns per coil. YOu will make 120Vdc at 25 rpm. So you will make thousands of volts at 1000 rpm. If you want to find out how to design an alternator to work at a particular voltage and a particular speed then please start by reading the pages about the subject in my Recipe book and then ask me some questions if there is anything that you can’t understand.
Have fun!
Hugh
sir is the computation for VAWT and HAWT for the axial generator the same?
Hi Wil,
Yes you can use the same alternator for vertical axis but you will need to know the performance of the vertical axis rotor to decide how many turns of wire per coil to achieve the desired voltage at the desired rpm. I have no interest in VAWTs because they are inferior in pretty much every way to HAWt turbines, so I cannot be bothered to attempt to work this out for you but you need to know the swept area and the power coefficient and the diameter and the tip speed ratio at which it works best.
cheers
Hugh
is this formula correct for the tip speed ratio
TSR=4π /n
where n is the number of blade.
i see this formula in the internet
thank you 🙂
hi Wil,
In order to do this stuff meaningfully you need to understand what tip speed ratio actually is. It is the ratio between the speed of the wind and the free windspeed around. For a specific machine in operation you can calculate the speed of the blade tips from the diameter and the rpm. I don’t see them in your equation. Or for designing a blade there are other equations.
All of this stuff is clearly explained in my recipe book page 58 and in my more general book Windpower Workshop. You can buy these books or you can take the time to read and understand the theory online. But I am sorry the equation you have above is not going to help you arrive at the tip speed ratio.
best wishes,
Hugh
hello dear,
1) i have wound 48 turns of 1.68mm dia copper wire in one coil.
2) magnets are neodymium 50 x 25 x 12.7mm thk. N35.
3) coil is trapazoidal with id of coil matching the shape of magnets.
4) thickness of coil is 11mm.
5) i have fixed up one magnet on one mildsteel disc and another magnet on another disc.
6) the magnets are mounted with correct polarity.
7) thus there are two magnets and the coil travels between them.
8) i am turning the magnets on a lathe at 180 rpm.
9) i am getting ONLY 0.5 open circuit volts and 0.05 A.
10) could you please diagnose, what is going wrong.
11) i wanted to confirm – so i am testing only one coil with two magnets.
hi again, the corrigendum –
a) the coil is fixed on the ‘lathe tool post’and the two mild steel discs are turning together.
kindly send the reply.
hi
I don’t think there is a problem here. If you get 0.5 volts from one magnet per disk then you might get 6V from 12 magnets per disk. This is one coil. Using 3 coils in series per phase and connecting the phases in star then you would get 31 volts. If the voltage is AC then your DC will be 40% or so higher at about 43V dc for your 160 rpm.
I don’t actually think it will get that high. The waveform with a single pair of magnets is very strange and is probably fooling the meter. But if you want to learn then you need to fill the rotor with magnets.
Hugh
we supply 8poles ring magnet for Hitachi Co.,Ltd ,anyone want to know?
i have a question , in permanent magnet motor 3 phase star 48 slots 20 pole how can get 20 poles in 16 coils per phase r phase coils are not connected sequencialy please help me
selvanathan /india
sorry I don’t know.
Hugh
hello dear
i want to make a 3 phases PMG using 16 poles of microwave magnets and 12 coils of 1.6mm copper wire .
can u help me to chose better design and get max power ??
waiting your reply
thank you.
Hi Hugh,
Thank you for your suggestion, i will back to you when i find the magnet size depend on availability here. my i know your email address? my email address is : [email protected] … hope we can keep in touch through email also.
How about magnet thickness? any suggestion minimum thickness?
-Bambang-
I have found new size magnet available here, they are : neodymium magnet diameter 25mm x 2mm (thickness)…. my plan i want to produce electricity like home electric (220 volt with 50/60 Hz), would you please calculate how many turn each coil? ( i still want to use 6 coil).
sorry i have some correction here, i mean 6 coils… not 6 poles …. how many turn each coil and how much maximum watt can produce with 220 volt output?
Hi Admin,
i like your information and comment on this website. I have been planning to make 1 phase axial flux generator with data as per below :
1. Output 220 Volt AC …. 50/60Hz
2. With 6 poles coreless using 1 mm diameter wire (or may be more than 1mm).
3. RPM is 5.000 until 10.000 RPM ( yes, five thousand until ten thousand RPM)
4. Magnet using neodymium from PC Hardisk with thickness is 5 mm (dual pole each surface).
Is it possible to produce 220 volt? if possible, how many turn wire each pole? how many magnet i need?
note : i didn’t have any difficult to get 5.000 ~ 10.000 RPM. my understanding much RPM will produce much electricity, so i want to make 1 phase axial flux generator using this speed….the important things is i need 220volt output using 6 poles…please give me suggestion sir.
hi Bambang,
It’s not hard to make 220 volts using plenty of turns per coil. If you want me to calculate a voltage or specify a number of turns then you would need to tell me everything in detail including the size of the magnets and the whole layout of the alternator. If you want 50 Hz then you can do this with 2 poles at 3000 rpm but you cannot go faster and produce 50 Hz. For 60 Hz the 2-pole speed is 3600 rpm.
Bear in mind that speed alone will not make power. You do need to have some torque behind it, and so there needs to be a power source driving this.
have fun
Hugh
Hi Hug, thank you for your fast reply i am very appreciated. i am trying to give you more detail of my plan here :
1. Magnet size = 45mm x 17mm x 4mm (thickness) with dual pole every surface…( my plan will use 8 Pcs, give me suggestion if possible less than 8 Pcs).
2. Alternator : only one plate rotor for magnet with diameter plate is 18 Cm and one plate for coil (stator) with same diameter … so, only one plate surface usage for each plate.
3. For speed (RPM), i can adjust from 500 ~ 10.000 RPM constantly, and i have special unit for controlling speed. so i think doesn’t matter about speeed ….even with or without load the speed still can adjust constantly (please correction if i am wrong).
4. Coil as per my plan will use 6 coil ( located on plate : every 60 degree distance each coil).
5. Wire diameter minimum 1mm, please give me suggestion for better wire diameter size.
would you please calculate for me how many turn each coil?
If any additional detail information out of these, please let me know. Thank you very much
hi
Just to be clear, are these bard drive magnets with two poles on each face of each piece? So with 8 pieces you will have 16 poles?
I wonder why you have chosen to use 6 coils? If you want single phase then the number of coils should be the same as the number of magnet poles?
I need to get all this sorted out before I can help
Hugh
Yes correct, i have HDD magnet 8 pcs with dual pole each surface, total 16 poles each surface..if total magnet equal to total coil for single phase, meaning i only need 3 pcs magnet for 6 coils right? with magnet distance each other is 120 degree.
But in my imagine, if magnet distance 120 degree each other, meaning the distance of each pole (between N & S) will not same because 1 magnet having 2 poles…it will create problem or not? (Because as per usually single phase sketch having same distance each pole (N & S distance is same each other) following magnet distance because using mono pole magnet each surface)…please give me suggestion if better using mono pole magnet i will buy new one.
The reason why i chosen 6 coils because that is maximum availability number of coil i use following outer diameter 18 mm. (possibility outer diameter stator plate can i use is only 18 mm)..if possible using less than 6 coils is better.
Please help how many turn each coil if i use 1mm diameter wire? if 1mm is too small, please give me suggestion better diameter wire size and how many turn each coil.
Is it require double layer wire each coil or only single layer?
-Bambang-
hi Bambang,
I suggest you consider why you want to get 50 Hz out of this thing. Because yes that does severely limit the size it canbe with your hard drive magnets. And yes you would find it much easier to build a good alternator with 6 individual pole pieces about 30×30 mm.
Hugh
Hi dear admin
Sir I need your help. I am going to make wind turbine generator I have a ABB Motor that is 15Hp 3 phase 380v 50hz 1400 RPM And Total Statot slots is 48 . I want to covert in 12kw 3phase 380v 50hz frequency. I want to use N52 50×25×12mm Rare Earth Magnet. so original winding I will remove from stator and i will rewind again for 8 pole stator. that will be 8 coils per phase 8+8+8=24 Total coils will be 24. And 12 Magnets i will use on the rotor . Witch wire gauge i have to use for 12kw 3phase 380v 50hz frequency. And sir that orignaly rewinding is 4 pole.so I want to make 8 pole stator and 12 pole rotor. I will use single turn method then how much volts I get on 500 RPM then I will make coils .but sir I am confused in winding pitch. Should I used slot number 1-4 7-10 plzz sir tell me this is correct or rong.Plzz tell me witch wire gauge shoud i use. And how many wire shoud be inhand to make a coils. for 12kw 3phase 380v 50hz frequency 400 to 500 RPM. I will w8 for your reply.
hi Umair,
I do not have experience of converting induction motors to PM alternators. I know that this is often done in Holland. Maybe try asking Adriaan Kragten?
8 poles will give you 50 Hz at 750 rpm. There is no slip so it is exactly that speed. But I will say that you cannot get 12 kW at 750 rpm from a motor that is designed to work at 1400 rpm. You can put 8 poles into it but the flux change will be less and so the coils will need more turns of thinner wire and so you will not be able to get the same power output. It’s a rule of electrical machines that to obtain the same power at lower speed they need to be bigger and heavier. If you go to 12 poles and down to 500 rpm then the power output is lower still.
Did you know that you can use an electric motor as a generator simply by adding capacitors to it? Maybe get a big 8-pole motor and add capacitors instead of magnets?
have fun
Hugh
Hi dear admin
Sir I need your help. I am going to make wind turbine generator I have a ABB Motor that is 15Hp 3 phase 380v 50hz 1400 RPM And Total Statot slots is 48 . I want to covert in 12kw 3phase 380v 50hz frequency. Am want to use N52 50×25×12mm Rare Earth Magnet so original winding I will remove and I want to rewind again for 8 pole stator that is 8 coils per phase 8+8+8=24 and 12 Magnets on the rotor . Witch wire gauge i have to use for rewinding of stator. Ist I will use single turm method then how much volts I get on 500 RPM then I will make coils .but sir I am confused in winding pitch. Should I used slot number 1 to 4 7 to 10 plzz sir tell me this is correct or rong.tell me online witch wire gauge shoud i used for 12kw 3phase 380v 50hz frequency 500 RPM. I will w8 for your reply.
Hello, i really like a lot of the projects you and your people put together and work on,amazing and i’ve been all over the net looking and shopping for a 5kw grid tie vertical wind turbine from China to Alaska and also had a look at many do it yourself projects.
For my first project i have 3 LG 36 pole stators & rotors or direct drive permanent alternators after looking all over the net for different ideas on what i’m gonna make i came to a final decision that i’m gonna make a (dual stator & rotors) vertical wind turbine with the same bracket or mounting method as (Marijanka Jelic) on youtube.
I believe the way he did it is pretty much the best rather you use it as a vertical or horizontal and i also know that turbine is only going to give me a maximum of so much power witch is much less than a 5 kw system and the reason why i’m writing today is because for my main project i decided that i would be happy with the (5kw Wind Razor vawt kit)i’m trying to get in contact with them to buy the complete diy kit but i haven’t been able to make contact with any sellers i know i will have to make my own coils and stator and buy the Neo magnets,i tried Windgenkits.com and Wind2Volts still no contact i don’t know if the kits a discontinued one way or another if i must make it from scratch i will.
I you have any contacts for me to reach them could you please send it to my Email.
I know they are somewhere down in the states,,,addresses,phone number,emails or anything that would help me reach them i’m in New Brunswick, Canada thank you so much.
Dan……………..
Hi
Thanks for the message.
I have no knowledge of any 5kw Wind Razor vawt kit nor do I wish to hear about it as it will just be another depressing ripoff. I don’t know why people keep thinking I am keen on vertical axis projects. It’s driving me nuts. I do NOT recommend that you build Vertical Axis. You are wasting your time. Please go and do it somewhere else if you must 🙂
Hugh
The actual coil will develop a rounded shape as you wind it. You can start with a round, square, triangular, diamond shape or whatever but it will go more and more toward round as it builds up.
In my opinion it depends on the spacing of the magnets somewhat. If they are far apart then I like to make the hole the same shape and size as the magnet. If they are close together, then I prefer a triangular shape to start on. I have seen Otherpower make coils with a sort of diamond shaped hole. All of these will work. The goal is to get as many turns of wire, as thick as possible, interacting effectively with your magnets. I think a triangle works better for axial flux machines than a diamond but the difference is small.
Sir what is the use of using diamond shape coils in armature winding
Will it not be better to use Vortex connection instead on connecting the coils in phase?
Vortex connection means using Eleg eletrolytic Capacitors and Diodes to collect power from each Coils and later connecting the coils in Series or parallel Series or parallel using Diodes and caps again?
sorry I do not know about vortex connections but using capacitors and extra diodes is all going to increase your losses. I’d suggest you keep the circuit simple.
Hugh
I today sent the pictures.
Do you mean it is best to use Block magnet over block coils?
Alright. I do not intend to use that type of design. I plan to use Cardboard Sheet and Plywood for my Rotor and Stator respectively with Split Stator Method.
So this allows for pure ventilation and constant cooling.
Now may I know if I can use Block magnet over Trapezoidal or Wedge Coils?
If my Stator is 30cm wide, what type of coil shape is best to use over it?
Wish I can show you some pictures of what I have done so far before I contacted you.
How can I do that?
yikes I never heard of cardboard rotors before. But have fun!
Use the magnets you can get. Trapezoidal is too expensive for me, with very little gain. Block is fine for me.
Coil shape depends on how close the magnets are together. If they are quite close together then I use triangular shaped coil formers.
you can send me pictures by email of course.
[email protected]
Hugh
Thank you so much for your surprisingly timely reply.
“If you want to get the best out of your magnets then I would say use a large disk and space them widely. If you want to get the best out of your small disk then use many magnets and even trapezoidal ones and cram them in tightly. It depends on your goals”
By cramming, do you mean I should place my magnets on rotor as is was done here => http://xindaenergy.en.alibaba.com/product/1978948961-221458799/5kw_150rpm_axial_flux_permanent_magnetic_generator_PMG_for_vertical_wind_turbine.html ??
yes this is crammed in all right.
I do not like the stator inside the casing like this. It will not be well cooled. When it gets hot there is a danger it will detach from the shaft in the centre. It’s more reliable to support the stator at the outside and allow cooling air to flow over it.
Hugh
hi Dare,
The best coil shape depends on many factors. If the magnets are widely spaced then I consider that it’s best to have a hole in the coil which is the same shape as the magnet face. But to be honest you can often get more copper into your coil by making the hole trapezoidal so it is smaller at the inner end. As the magnets get closer together it becomes attractive to use a triangular hole in the coil.
I like to study the way that the coil legs move through the magnetic flux. Of course the flux itself is not uniform nor does it have sharp changes in density. But if both legs of a coil are under (different) magnets at the same time then I consider that this will produce a good peak voltage.
A trapeziodal magnet is a good thing but only marginally so I don’t worry about that too much. You can get good results with rectangular and even with circular magnets. If you want to get the best out of your magnets then I would say use a large disk and space them widely. If you want to get the best out of your small disk then use many magnets and even trapezoidal ones and cram them in tightly. It depends on your goals.
Hugh
Sir,
Please may I know the best type and shape of Magnet to use with a Triangular Coil or say Trapezoidal?
I am not building a Wind Turbine. No. My project is totally different. But I need an High Output Power to achieve my main aims.
I am having 2kg of 1.86mm thick Enameled Copper Wire.
Also, is the Trapezoidal shaped coils MOST effective or the Rule of Center Wideness of Coil to Size of Magnet the most important issue?
I mean if my coils are Circular in shape and are 70mm Outer Diameter and 50mm inner diameter, must I use just use 50mm diameter magnet?
Is Triangular or Trapezoidal coils the most efficient shape?
Can a Block magnet be used over a Trap. Coils?
Will the output efficiency be the same with if Trapezoidal Shaped magnets were used?
I am deeply curious sir.
I just need a 50 output for that will that be enough? Or can i make it 8 magnets with 6 coils though?
Good Day Sir. I am now working to make a permanent magnet generator with a 8 inch diameter rotor and 9 inch diameter stator. The rotor will have 10 magnets with 1 inch diameter and 1/2 inch thick. While the stator will have six coils. Will this generator creates great output. I am worried because the gap between the magnets is 0.6 inch only. If the rotor with magnets rotates through the coils there will be two magnets in one coil. I saw a picture above that the output will be cancelled out if this happen. Is this true? Thank you.
hi angelo,
I don’t understand why you only want to have 6 coils. You are right that much of the magnetic flux will be wasted in cancellation and the length of the turns will be excessive and the number of coils only few. So I don’t think this is a great design, no.
Hugh
But will this design creates an output for a 50 watts per 12 hours?
Hello Hugh. Thanks for the response but if I will make the diameter big enough will that be great?
For example. 10 magnets with 6 coils and a diameter of 12 for rotor and 13 for the stator? Thanks i just need it very bad. Thanks a lot.
HI Angelo,
I don’t know what else I can tell you. 10 magnets is not a great idea. 8 magnets and 6 coils is a good combination, yes. It’s the classic ratio 4 to 3 which I almost always use. Go ahead and do it that way. I cannot promise you will get 50 watts without a whole load more information about what you are doing such as the type of magnet, the turns per coil, the system voltage, the rpm, and what you plan to use to drive it. Have fun.
Hugh
Hi Sir,
I found a formula after a lot of searching but i didnt understand how it is derived and is it a standard formula
here is it
Turns per phase = 17000 x (System voltage V +1.4) / ( Desired cut in speed RPM) / (Strength of flux in Tesla) / (total area of magnet face in square inches)
can anyone please explain it?
and total area of magnet face means the area of magnet it is facing the stator?
magnet dimensions:
2.5cm length,and 2.2cm height thickness 7mm
so area of magnet facing stator is 16(poles) X 2.5 X 2.2=88cm2=>13.6sqinches
is this right way?
hi Shruthi,
That formula is a guide for designing an alternator that will charge a battery (at “system voltage”) via a 3-phase rectifier. I am not sure how useful it can be for designing a motor. I have never designed a brushless motor so I cannot help you there.
Yes the total magnet area is the area of magnet surface facing the stator on one of the two rotors. So if you have 16 poles on one rotor then you are correct.
Hugh
Hi Sir,
Am currently doing 3 phase brush less DC motors project,16 poles ,18 slots i want to know how to determine number of turns per slot the winding scheme is AaABbBCcCAaABbBCcC.
It might be a trivial question to ask but please help me out.
Thank you in advance
Regards,
Shruthi
hi
Sorry I can’t help as I have no experience of the type of machine you are designing.
Hugh
p/s i need help,for 20kva alternator with 6 coil ,swg 17 1/2,7wires in hand, 0 to16 all round of 5 coil.how to connect is a little bit difficult?
hi
I need a bit more information. I think it will need to run at very high rpm to produce 20kVA!
But it’s important to know the size and number of magnets, the desired voltage, the number of phases, the RPM of operation, and whether it is on a wind turbine (well cooled by wind). You need to tell me all these things or at least most of them and I can begin to help you.
Best
Hugh
I’m looking to build a low RPM 12V DC generator. I would like to build one that has two revolving groups of magnets turning past a group of coils stationed between the two groups of magnets.
At moderate RPM’s I would like to see an amp or so. I would like to charge a battery bank and am not very interested in an AC generator because of the required step down rectifiers needed. I would rather create power that can be stored as is.
I can not seem to find clear answers on how many magnets, what size magnets, how many coils of which size wire, how many turns on each coil and how the coils should be wired together.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You, John
hi John,
When magnet move past coils, they produce AC voltage in the coils. If the coils themselves rotate past magnets then it is possible to switch this to DC using a commutator but by far the simplest way to get DC is to use a rectifier. So I suggest you generate 3-phase AC and rectify it to DC with a bridge rectifier. This will not reduce the voltage by much and is much simpler and more reliable than a commutator.
My Recipe book describes how to choose the magnets, wind and connect the coils and so forth. There is even a section on how to design the alternator near the end of the book, but you should not need it. If you have a specific cut-in rpm in mind for 12-volt battery charging them I can help you design a suitable alternator based on one of my standard designs or using magnets of your choice.
Have fun
Hugh
Hugh,
I have bookmarked your book page just in case. I certainly appreciate your incredibly quick and informative response. I honestly figured I’d be lucky to have an answer inside of one week.
I have built several where the coils spin within a field and commutators pick up the power. I have made a couple of cool machines and one pair of AWESOME commutators. These are small though and put out from .01 to .03 volts with RPMs so high that coils balloon out and commutators take a viscous beating.
I really like the design type that I mentioned previously where the coils are stationary between two magnet boards and the coils are hard-wired instead of using commutators.
Well I guess it’s time to build and rectify me some 3-phase!
Thanks again Sir,
John
Sir !! please guide me regarding the above query ..
hi Syed,
Even doubling the magnets will not reach the level you need. I’d say you need about 6 times that magnet volume to do what you describe. Also you need to study the question of supply voltage. You need to understand the need for storage in the system if you are not connecting this to the grid. So you will need to have a battery. Then you can produce 220 volts from that battery using an inverter.
I hope this helps. I’d need to know a bit more about what you are doing before I can help in any more detail. You want to run at low rpm but that is pretty vague and you do not say what is driving it.
Hugh
***from above
the desired output voltage is 220 volts for home use ..
Hi sir .. Your blog is really helpful in constructing PMA.
i am trying to build up a permanent magnet alternator which can run in low rpm ..
I need your suggestions for 2 KW or more output setup for home use ..
I have 24 neodymium disk magnets N38 grade, having diameter of 30 mm and 5 mm thickness.
please suggest me the the setup of coils, wire guage, no of turns per coil, no of coils or any thing which may help ..
I have been thinking of dual flux permanent magnet alternator ..so that 12 magnets on each rotor disk and stator sandwhiched in between.
I have setup the basics now just stuck upp on the stator. confused relating the winding stuff ..
please suggest me proper solution ..
hi Syed,
To be honest it will be difficult to get 2kW from these magnets. You will need to run at quite high rpm. If you want 2kW at low rpm it would be better to use more, larger magnets. for example you could use the design for the 4200 mm diameter machine in my Recipe Book. It can produce 2kW at 300 rpm. But it needs to be well cooled by the wind to work like this.
If you need 220 volts for home use then you will need to use an inverter. The alternator will produce 3-phase power with variable frequency and normally you would charge a battery or connect to an existing grid using a grid-tie inverter.
Hugh
thanx for your reply sir.
is their any possibility .. like if I could use double magnets on each rotor .. i mean 24 magnets on each rotor (one magnet attached to another forming 12 pairs on each rotor) .. as neodymium magnets are magnetised through thickness .. so that if I attach two magnets together so their flux would increase ..
48 total magnets on two rotors ..
very helpful
sir
For 750 rpm permanent magnet alternator 1 kilowatt (8 poles)
what should be the wire guage & connection & stator width length & slots
please send me details to my email address
[email protected]
yousuf India
hi Yousuf,
I’d need a bit more detail for this including the size of the magnets and the desired output voltage.
Hugh
Hi Hugh,
Your wind power “Bug” has bitten me. I have 24 neo magnets 46 x 30 x 10 mm and 6kg of 1.6mm magnetic wire. I have made up two magnet plates of 6mm x 305mm, and fitted 12 magnets on each plate N..S..N..S placing. This info I got from ” Other Power” website. I then turned 9 x coils of 140 laps of 1.3mm magnetic wire, and did the castings. My problem is that I see good voltage, but very little amps. The machine is meant to give 48 volts. The blades are 3 x 1.5m alluminium. If disconnected from the batteries, I get up to 130 volts output. The coils are connected in3 x series/star configuration. As the wind speed increases, the battery (4 x 12volt 105 a/h) increses in voltage up to 62 volts and even higher, but very little amps. I have even replaced the amp meter. I first though the blades are stalling, but this does not seem to be the problem. I have a fairly good electrical back ground.
I would like to turn new coils for the machine with the 1.6mm wire on hand, that would give me as low as possible cut in speed, with good amps at higher speed.
Could you please assist me with this. What number of turns should I use per coil.
I will be ordering your metric book next week.
Regards
Hi
If you have volts but no amps this usually means a high resistance. Check each battery when on charge to see if they all go up to 15 volts? I suspect there is a resistance between the voltmeter and the batteries. Or the batteries are each and all high resistance themselves. Seek out where the voltage is going. That’s your high resistance.
turns per coil will depend on blade design. I make high speed blades but your aluminium ones may be rather slow. However this would be a voltage issue at first.
If you want to avoid frustration the best way is to read and follow my recipe book 🙂 140 turns should work for 48 volt output if you wired it up correctly.
Hugh
I will get back to you when completed.
Thanks……………………
Dear Sir,
I appreciate that you are among rare people who works on axial flux generator.
I am going to design 500W generator for vertical axis wind turbine.
I have used 23 gauge wire.
12 coils (wedge shape) having 130 turns each, application battery charging 12v/3amp.
We are using N48 grade neo. magnets
I request you please suggest below things.
Shape of the magnets:
Starting Torque required for the generator:
Let me know if we need to change upper selection done yet:
Although we have given order to our library department to purchase your recipe book for reference, but we also need your expert advise.
Thanks
Hi Shahid,
This is backwards. it’s better to start with the 12V 3A specification (and you also need to know RPM), then choose magnets and finish with the design of coils, wire size and number of turns.
Personally I think you are wasting your time with vertical axis but the funny thing is that almost everyone does this, so I am not surprised.
Let me know the rpm (for cut-in, and also for full power at 40 watts electrical) and also the size of the coils if you have already wound them.
Starting torque will depend on the seals in the bearings. There is no torque in the magnets and coils until you start to produce a current.
I hope this helps.
Hugh
Dear Hugh,
Thanks for the suggestion but we are in a project and need to design vertical axis, and torque issue is cleared from your ans.
Coils are not an issue I can make it again easily,
Cut in speed is 3m/s and rpm is around 70rpm.
coils are WeDGED shaped type, 130turns, having wire dia. 0.574mm, wounded on 30mm top length and 10mm bottom length.
I want to know the design procedure for it.
Is your book is helpful for such design.
If not please suggest,
My recipe book describes the design process completely from page 54 onwards. you may need to use some trial and error to find the best size and number of magnets. But it will help if you use the 46 x 30 x 10 ones in the recipes, which are also widely available.
70rpm is very slow, but the power is also very low so the rotors should not be too large. Get back to me with any questions.
Have fun
Hugh
Use an inverter if you need constant frequency. Rectify the output to DC and inverter again. You will also need a battery or a grid connection to stabilise the situation.
Dear Sir(Admin)
I am a student and interested in Low RPM PMG. Through Google I had been searching for some designs for 5kw PMG for river current and I got a link which led me to this discussion board and now I know what to do. Thanx for all.
But what is your idea to get constant frequency suppose at 50Hz when RPM of the turbine varies in a wide range from 50 to 200 RPM??
I will be glad to being answered by you.
Thank you sir.
If you make the connections that I suggest then the effect is to reverse the direction of the turns. If you reverse the turns (turn coil over for example) then you do not need to connect finish to finish etc. Just connect finish to start of next one if you are turning every second coil over.
Hi Sir, you know what? I’m very thanks to you about this discussion. with all clockwise direction I can produce more than 6V, now my output voltage arround 10-13V.
I use connection all in clockwise, finish of coil 1 to start of coil 2. finish of coil 2 to start of coil 3 and so on until at last coil of 8. Finish of coil 8, it was my output(-).
But sir, what is the different between both connection? All my research I do, every connection must be in clockwise and anti-clockwise (forward and reverse). And Sir, I use formula, I=V/R to get the current value, it is the right method to get the current?
Can you explain to me about this situation?
I really appreciate your help. very very very appreciate.
when making a single phase stator (which I don’t really recommend) with the same number of magnets as coils, you will have half of the coils under north poles while half are under south poles. So they will produce the opposite voltage and you have to reverse the sense of the coil, or its connections.
do you mean all in same direction of coil is wrong?
If all the coils are wound in the same direction, and you have equal magnets and coils like this, then you need to reverse the connections to every second coil, or the voltages will cancel out and a well made machine will produce little or no output.
thanks you sir for your time.. may have a nice day.. hehe
Any one can help me with a single phase output AC when i use a 8 poles and 8 coils?
All result i’ve got is 2.++ V(AC) and current around 0.5 to 1A(AC). How can i increase the voltage and current up to 6V and 1A by using:
•Copper wire SWG 23
•200 turns per coils
•parmenent magnet type N48 (square shape)
•size: stator 6.5″. Gap between each magnet 1.3″..
Please anyone reply my question as soon as posible.
Thank you guys!!!
hi Safwan,
YOu get more voltage and current by turning the altenator faster. Check that you have the coils correctly wired. If you are using single phase then you connect the coils in series for more voltage. But you have to reverse the connections on every second coil as it produces the opposite voltage. So connect finish of 1 to finish of 2, start of 2 to start of 3 etc…
Hugh
you mean for first coil in clockwise and second coil in anti-clockwise and the connection finish of 1 to finish of 2 and start of 2 to start of 3(clockwise)?
I am planning to design one alternator with 100mm X 12.5mm X 12.5mm
with 10 pole on a stator with rpm 900. What should be no. of coil, wire for coil, size of coil
for output of 50hz 230volt 4-5kva.
my magnets were N35.
Please let me know.
hi Rajeev
This type of alternator is unsuitable for producing 230V 50Hz. Also the 10 pole will produce 75 Hz at 900 rpm. I also doubt that you can get as much as 4 kW from this size alternator at this rpm. It’s much too small. sorry
Hugh
1 KW @ 220 Volts & 750 RPM with 10 N35 Magnets , Pls suggest what will be the best possible values of Number of Turns & coil dimensions.
you could try 400 turns and connect all four coils in series for each phase. It’s a rather stupid shape of magnet to start with though. YOu might get 1kW at 750 rpm 62 Hz or it might burn out. YOu’d need a large rotor to make room for thick enough wires.
I am trying with 600 rpm to get 50Hz, but I want to know the dia of winding wire for 400 turn as advised by you
Hi Rajeev,
You need to look at the rotor diameter and figure out the coil spacings and hence the cross-sectional area available for wire and hence the wire size from there. It’s all documented clearly in my Recipe book so I suggest you have a read of that and then get back to me with any questions when you have done some reading.
i want to know 6 pole single phase generators connection plz tell me about it with dia gram also
if you want single phase then the simplest scheme is to use 6 coils for the 6 poles. However the coils are not actually all in the same phase if you simply connect them in series. You will have to reverse every second coil. So the connections are:
Start of first to output wiring
finish of first to finish of second
start of second to start of third
finish of third to finish of fourth
…
finish of fifth to finish of sixth
start of sixth to output.
ok sir thank you… for your kind reply
reply for question 3
Normal we used for star connected
stator coil space = (3.14Dm/no of coils )
Dm mean =(inner diameter of rotor + outer diameter of rotor )/2
And stator coil space multipied by factor .85 we will get space for each coil ..each coil are placed at angle of 15 degree ..
and magnet were placed at angle 45 degree in the rotor
average voltage)=4.4 ( Phimax) x f xTph where f is frequency and Tph is the total number of turns per phasex.936
( 100/1.73)=4.4 ( Phimax) x f xTph where f is frequency and Tph is the total number of turns per phasex.936
(Tph)total number of turns per phase=103.908
Tph=ZxS/3
103.098×3/24=Z
Z=12 turns
instead of 12 we made 18 turns
we made this with 18 turns for each coil but we could get the voltage as the air gap between the stator and rotor was more than 5mm as stator mould was a bit more out of shape ..may be the no of turns were less
so couldnt complete the project so we trying with different stator coil design
.
Let us now consider the design of 6 coil and 8 magnet
magnet dimension =43.5X60
thickness=5mm
Average voltage= 2xtotal flux x number of turns x revolutions per second
magnet area A sq.m=.002610
no of magnets=8 so..
Total magnet area A =.00261×8=.02088
flux density=N42=(Br) rem-anent flux density =.65
flux=.02088x,065=0.01357
Average voltage= 2xtotal flux x number of turns x revolutions per second
(60/2.72)=2x.01357 x Nx 400/60
N=121.91 approximate 122
for two coil per phase N will be 61
but in your calculation sir \
Question
B you have taken as .3 as flux density=N40=(Br) rem-anent flux density =.63 do we need to take it as .3 itself any reason for that
since i m using the single sided rotor not a dual rotor ..so the magnetic flux cutting the coil would be less so do we need increases the number of turn ?? if so mean.. by much ??
what is the air gap that we have to maintain between rotor and stator would
waiting for your timely reply
Thanking you
Mallikarjun(maddy)
hi Maddy,
I do not understand much of the above since it is mostly numbers and no clear explanation of where they come from nor where you are going with them. But I can expalin why the example in my book uses B = 0.3. This is because the example is the 1200 turbine which has only one magnets rotor (single sided). In my experience this has B=0.3 T.
And yes if you have taken B=0.6T then you will not have enough turns and you may have to double the number of turns to get the right speed. This will make the resistance four times higher.
Hugh
hi Marc,
to be honest there is no simple answer and no ‘right’ way but some will work better than others. The spacing of the magnets will be just as important as their shape in determining the optimum coils shape.
Often a coil thickness similar to magnet thickness gives optimal results. Total gap between magnet faces similar to total thickness of the two magnets is a good rough idea for optimising the use of magnets.
I like to space the neos widely since they are expensive but if you want to maximise the power from a given disk you should cram them together, and this is what I do with ferrites. Then the hole in the coil can be smaller and this works well.
I hope this helps
Hugh
Hi Hugh, great website. Is there an optimum size of coil winding compared the the dimensions of a neo magnet? For example if I have a magnet that is 30mm in diameter and 10mm thick. I understand that the coil will be wound to have an inside diameter to match the outside diameter of the magnet. So in theory the magnet could just fit inside the coil. What I dont understand is should I make coils that are tall and thin or coils that are short in height but thicker in diameter. For example, say I need 100 turns ,should I make the coil 10 turns high and 10 turns/rows wide or only 5 turns high and 20 turns/rows wide, or 20 turns high and 5 turns/rows wide? Does it make any difference?
Should the coil be the same height as the magnet?
Hello !
How important is the weight of the Tail Vane and the angle of 20 deg at the hinge?
Regards,
Bipin
The weight and the angle of the tail will both be important in determining how the turbine furls. if they are too small and light then the output may be a relatively low, especially as the wind gets stronger. On the other hand if you increases them beyond a certain point you will burn the stator or cause some other problem.
sir
when u would be online .. that would more help full for us to chat with you and clear your doubts..
hi Maddy,
I am online most of the time I guess. I try to answer your questions. You can also email me. I don’t know what your doubts are this time. I am busy, so please ask simple, clear questions. If you tell me ‘I want to know more’ then I will not take time to answer. You have to tell me exactly what you do not understand.
Hugh
sir i do hav this edition
Hugh Piggott A Wind Turbine Recipe Book The Axial Flux Windmill Plans Jan 2009 Metric edition
i want to know more about 8 pole 6 coil diagram and
calculation part .. i want make this one
please help ..
thank you sir.. for your kind reply
can i have some sort of pdf or copy of your book .. for reference purpose.. that would be very much helpful for us ..
thank you
maddy
My recipe book is available for only $5 on Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Turbine-Recipe-Book-ebook/dp/B003XVZADA/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280727133&sr=1-9
Anybody can download it and if you don’t have a kindle you can also download a kindle reader for your computer from amazon too.
sir let we know the above calculation i have made that are correct or not .. as i’m student there is no noe to guide me .. please assist me..sir
Maddy
hi Maddy,
I quote from the bottom of page 55 as follows:
“(Average voltage is a little lower than the RMS value that we commonly use to measure AC voltages.)
So the output voltage from the thee-phase winding will peak at 2.72 times higher than the average voltage for one phase. (2.72 = 1.73 x 1.57). ”
We are looking at the peak voltage and not the average so that is where the 2.72 comes from.
I hope this helps.
Hugh
sir dont we use average E=4.44* total flux x number of turns x revolutions per second
please let me know if i m wrong
sir
for star connected we use 100/1.732 but not 100/2.732..
i think we made missed typed
total flux = magnet area A sq.m x flux density B
=2160 x 10^-6 x1.29=2.8mwb..
Average voltage (which is 100/ 1.732for star connected AC)
= 4.44 x total flux x number of turns x revolutions per second
= (4.44 x 2.8 x 10^-3x number of turns x 400)/60
= 696.6090 turns total
8 coils/phase =696.6090/8 which is 87 turns per coil.
so i can take 88 turn per coil …
so can i use this one sir..
please let know sir if i have made any mistake ..
hi this Maddy,……. can u please the coil winding connection for the stator …as it 24 coil .. 3 phase 8 pole machine .. that is 8 coil per phase .. as the inner and outer diameter are 236 and 116.. please can u shown the diagram how it can be connected ….
please let me know any more information need …
There is a section at the end of my recipe book that explains how to design alternators. The toroidal one is a bit different because the coil presents only one leg to your single magnet rotor, but the equations will work in an adapted format.
total flux = magnet area A sq.m x flux density B (Tesla)
turns n = turns per coils x coils in series/phase
revolutions per second = rpm/60
Average voltage (which is 100/2.72 for star connected AC)
= total flux x number of turns x revolutions per second
= A x B x n x rpm/60
n=60 x V /(A x B x rpm) = 6000/(2.72 x 0.02 x 0.7 x 400) = 400 turns total
If this has 8 coils/phase I would say 400/8 which is 50 turns per coil.
There’s a bit of guesswork in there because I don’t really know the flux density.
thank for ur reply .. we are using neodymium magnet or rare earth magnets of grade 42 … not ferrite
magnet to withstand maximum temperature is represented as “grade” in my case 42 grade withdstand upto 180 degree Celsius..
Operating voltage.. 100v
operating speed (rpm) ..400rpm
hi this mallikarjun i m making a generator ,”axial flux permanent magnet generator ” of 230 watts using Ne-Feb magnet of 42 grade ,
i have designed a rotor of outer diameter 236mm and inner diameter 116 mm
magnets shape is trapezoidal of 60mm in height and 47.5mm x 39.5mm top and bottom in length ..
i m using 8 pole rotor single sided not dual rotor so..
i need design the stat-or using toroidal coil winding three phase star connected single layer ..
i dont how to calculate the number of coils need and and number of turns per coil and thickness of wire to be used
for toroidal coil … pls do help me out ..
hi Maddy,
I’d suggest you use 24 coils on a toroidal core. Watch out for high thrust loads on the bearings. Before I can suggest a number of turns I’d need to know 3 things:
Type of magnet (NdFeB grade what or ferrite?)
Operating voltage
operating speed (rpm)
YOu can use trial and error instead and just wind some test coils to collect data and work from that. It’s the safest way in the end. But I can do some calcs if you give me all of the necessary information.
Hugh
sorry i had put some data misssing tht is..
outer diameter of rotor 200mm’
innner diameter of rotor 110mm
thickness of magnet is around 6mm
please help me out …
hi Mallikarjun,
the winding has overlapping coils, I would say and they are large. Full pitch coils means they span from the centre of one magnet to the centre of the next.
Distribute them evenly, and you will find that you have 3 phase groups that match the pattern of magnets at different angles. Connect the first coil to the fourth and the seventh etc. That is one phase. 2nd to 5th and 8th is the next.
You will need to reverse every other coil, so swap the wires around on coils 2,4,6,8, etc. Then connect all the coils in each phase in series and connect the phases in star or delta as you wish. I prefer star.
I hope this helps? Hugh
sir
i taught that in double layer the winding would be laid side by side first phase R and R’ would be connected 6 and 7 of R and R’
and other phase would be connected to Y and Y’ would be connected to 8 and 9 of Y and Y’
AS it is axial ..
then
6×48/48 =6
so R – 1+6=7
R’-2+6=8
so on for other phase ..
please help me if i am wrong sir
and the above i stated will be for 8 pole and
magnet would be of NdFeB magnets in trapezoidal shapes with curvatures
magnet dimension would be of
outer diameter-60mm
inner diameter -47.5mm
height – 39.5mm
thickness -5mm
so the
rotor diameter would be 220mm
rotor inner diameter would be of 140mm
the stator coil would be connected as i stated above … does it work …sir
Sorry Mallikarjun but I can’t follow all this. Please email me with a full description document of some sort.
respected sir
i am making axial flux generator of 16 pole AS i am refering ieee paper they have mentioned three phase stator winding
double layered full pitched ..
no of coil 48
turns per coil 7
thicknesss of the winding is 5mm
can u please help me .. i m getting confused as 16 pole and 48 coils so one pole would cover 3 coils
could u please make understand with drawing of three phase stator with pole and winding connection
hi Lauri
That’s a good question, and in the past to be honest I would have thought that this would be a problem. When there is one magnet on both sides of the coil, it’s induction is indeed cancelled out. However this only happens during a certain part of the waveform when the voltage is low anyway. I would not say it happens when the voltage is anywhere near its peak, which is when the coil is conducting current.
That’s my explanation but whatever the reason I seem to get good results with these smaller coils.
The main advantages of smaller holes in the coils are that I can fit more coils with wider legs into the same space so more coil turns of wire, and at the same time the turns are shorter so the resistance is less. It’s a new way of thinking for me since I would have always said you should go for the maximum voltage by using a large hole in the coil but I am finding out that this way works well for alternators with magnets that are closely packed together, and the ferrite magnets are cheap enough to do that.
Hugh
http://www.6pie.com/images/flatcoil.jpg
Hi, are you having any problems when one magnet passes over both sides of same coil?
please send connection diagram of 12 magnets and 9 coils connected in 3 phase connection
hi
You can find a diagram at the end of this one
Hugh
Hi,
What will happen if i wind it this way but use a 12 pole as well (12 pole, 12 coil). Would it work even phasing is the same?
If you use 12 poles and 12 coils then this will be a single phase alternator. You will need to reverse the wires on every second coil. Finish of coil 1 is connected to finish of coil 2, start of coil 2 to start of coil 3 etc. It will work well but you will get some vibration/noise in the machine and there are other advantages to 3-phase.
Actual coils and poles were designed as a single phase, 1st coil connected to the 2nd, 3rd up to the 12th coil winded alternatively. Since pole modification is of my limitation right now, would winding the coils like of a 3 phase (preferably delta connection) produce more power output compared to the output of the original winding connected in series up to the 12th coil?
thanks hugh, the magnets are ferrite and its 6″ x 4″ x 1″ in 17.2″ OD plate, outer dia gap will be 7″
Yeah i am following this thread, after this only, again thought of making use of those magnets.
copper wire thickness, is 14awg.
vw
Hi VW here is a picture of 9 coils on your 6 magnets. Connections are simple – just use 1,4 and 7 for one phase and so forth. No need to reverse any connections.
I’d suggest you get bigger disks (19 inch diameter) for this project.
Good Day Hugh,
what is the calculation behind 10magnets, 12 poles? how many coils if it is 6 magnets?
Vw
The calculation is a bit long winded but there is some discussion of the numbers here
There is no simple answer to “how many coils for six magnets” as this depends on the magnet shape in relation to the alternator as a whole but you could for example have 5 coils arranged in a 5-phase stator. doing a 3-phase output is harder.