I am attempting to build a stand-alone generator using a working 3 phase motor, it needs around 20MFD to operate in it's current configuration, but I am running it with 25MFD until I get some 20 MFD caps. The generator is self exciting, it produces around 5V open circuit with no caps because of residual magnetism in the core, which is enough to get things going. Everything appeared to be fine, until I tried adding a load: an induction motor 1/3 of the generator's size; the motor gave a little spin, and then the generator essentially stopped producing power. I figured the motor was eating too much reactive power, and basically starved the generator, so I doubled the cap bank to 50MFD, predictably the generator's voltage spiked well past it's normal operating voltage, but as soon as the motor was switched on, it quit, just like before. I was not deterred, so I rapidly switched the motor off and on, since the generator is self-exciting the motor would spin a little faster every time it was switched until it was spinning fast enough that the generator no longer died with the motor on.
It seems like the generator can't handle motor starting, is there any reasonable way to fix this? This is basically a low-cost test-bed, it's only 6HP 460V 120hz.
Note: solutions that might destroy the generator are acceptable, within reason.
It seems like the generator can't handle motor starting, is there any reasonable way to fix this? This is basically a low-cost test-bed, it's only 6HP 460V 120hz.
Note: solutions that might destroy the generator are acceptable, within reason.
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