Increase AC generator current (A) by changing the winding configuration

Thread Starter

Bohr

Joined Feb 8, 2017
5
about 10 years ago when I was doing my trade I remember learning that you can change the current and voltage depending on the windings configuration, I am looking for some guidance on how to do this from people who have done this before.

The generator I am attempting to modify is a AC generator.

I have attached here the current generator results, you can see the AC current is 0
 

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shortbus

Joined Sep 30, 2009
10,050
welcome to AAC. To get help you will need to give more information. Stuff like the brand, model number any data sheet links, etc. This will let people know what your working on, most of us here aren't mind readers.:)
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
18,104
I am looking for some guidance on how to do this ...
You need to start with a lot of details regarding what you have versus what you want. The limiting factor is the volume you have to places turns on the windings. As you increase the gauge of the winding wire, you can fit in more turns and you'll get more voltage but this comes at the cost of higher impedance and lower current capacity. A low gauge winding can support a higher current but at a lower voltage.

If you want to capture the most power from a generator (for example in a windmill), the "best" winding is when the generator and load are matched. But the definition of "best" depends what you are doing. You probably don't want to run your generator at its maximum power capability.
 

Thread Starter

Bohr

Joined Feb 8, 2017
5
You need to start with a lot of details regarding what you have versus what you want. The limiting factor is the volume you have to places turns on the windings. As you increase the gauge of the winding wire, you can fit in more turns and you'll get more voltage but this comes at the cost of higher impedance and lower current capacity. A low gauge winding can support a higher current but at a lower voltage.

If you want to capture the most power from a generator (for example in a windmill), the "best" winding is when the generator and load are matched. But the definition of "best" depends what you are doing. You probably don't want to run your generator at its maximum power capability.
Thanks for your comment, we are happy for the voltage to come down with the amps coming up but just wanting to know the best way to do that to keep the voltage also as high as possible at the same time.

From memory I was thinking that we would need to increase the wire diameter to reduce the resistance and reduce the amount of turns (which would reduce the volts also?

The current windings are set for 1Kw at 200v and it doesn't produce amps until about 130v, basically I want to open up the range and start producing volts at a much lower voltage.
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
18,104
You cannot expect to get more power from rewinding. So every voltage increase - from using finer gauge wire - will have an offsetting amperage drop.

Your solution may involve the regulation. I mean, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get some current at lower voltages if only the coil was involved.
 

Thread Starter

Bohr

Joined Feb 8, 2017
5
You cannot expect to get more power from rewinding. So every voltage increase - from using finer gauge wire - will have an offsetting amperage drop.

Your solution may involve the regulation. I mean, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get some current at lower voltages if only the coil was involved.
So the current will only increase with the voltage coming up?
 

Dodgydave

Joined Jun 22, 2012
11,395
No, Current increases with Thicker Wire,
Voltage increases with More turns,

So you're limited by the space available.
 
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