Why Low output voltage for wind turbine?

[Luiz]

Hello everyone,

I recently built a small wind turbine. I’m using a 12v 3-phase AC motor which connected to a charge controller and then to a 12v battery bank. On my charge controller I can see that even in a strong wind my turbine never puts out more than 10v. The highest value that I recorded was 10v and 18A at 40mph wind. Does anyone know why the system is not putting more voltage? So I can only produce (10x18=180 Watt) with this system? Is there a problem with my controller? Sorry if I’m missing some basic concept, but this is something new to me.

Thanks a lot

 

[davenn]

hi Luiz
welcome

just my initial thought
not all motors make ideal generators, maybe you should be trying an actual generator

others may have some ideas as well

Dave

 

[Kiwi]

I would agree with davenn on this.
Just like dc generators don't make good motors.

 

[duke37]

I agree with davenn and Kiwi.
AC induction motors have no way of generating a magnetic field on their own. They can sometimes be encouraged by loading with capacitors but a complex control system is needed.

DC is needed so use a DC generator.

 

[Luiz]

hi Luiz
welcome

just my initial thought
not all motors make ideal generators, maybe you should be trying an actual generator

others may have some ideas as well

Dave

Thanks for the quick response. I forgot to mention that I’m using a permanent magnet generator that is made for wind turbines. This generator is called Freedom PMG made by Missouri Wind and Solar. According to many reviews this is a good generator that is capable of producing a lot of power. I think that my voltage problem is related to something else.

Thanks again,
Luiz

 

[davenn]

Thanks for the quick response. I forgot to mention that I’m using a permanent magnet generator that is made for wind turbines. This generator is called Freedom PMG made by Missouri Wind and Solar. According to many reviews this is a good generator that is capable of producing a lot of power. I think that my voltage problem is related to something else.

Thanks again,
Luiz

so you changed your system without telling us ?? that's not what you said in your opening post was it ?

I recently built a small wind turbine. I’m using a 12v 3-phase AC motor

Dave

 

[Luiz]

so you changed your system without telling us ?? that's not what you said in your opening post was it ?



Dave

Hi Dave,

Is still the same system. I have been using a 12v 3-phase AC generator made for wind turbines. I just forgot to mention that it was an actual generator on my first post.

 

[(*steve*)]

The highest value that I recorded was 10v and 18A at 40mph wind

Your charge controller is probably using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and has determined that the maximum power is available when the load causes the voltage to drop to this point.

 

[duke37]

If you are stuffing 18A into a 12V battery and only getting 10V, then you have a shorted cell.

 

[davenn]

thread locked