ac to ac inverter

[Cameron sydenham]

I have a question. I am putting two wind generators to use, my understanding is the output on these are "wild" ac 3 phase. If I am turning them at the same rpm@ 1000 rpm they have an estimated output of 1000 watts each. Can I run both sets of 3 wires into one 2000 watt ac to ac inverter (grid tie) or do I need to run each generator output to its own ac to ac inverter?

Cameron

[Paul Camilli]

Hi Cameron and welcome,

you need to rectify the each turbine output to DC and then feed that into 1 inverter per turbine.

Good luck, Paul

[Cameron sydenham]

Thanks.
This may be a dumb question, why convert to dc to then convert back to ac?

my goal -
I am trying to make a science project. I want to make a home made generator to power a microwave (@1000 watts) with 2-3 people using pedal bicycles. What do I need? generator, then rectifier, then inverter, then I can plug into that?

I dont have a need to store the energy being made but if it is necessary, I can put a battery in the system.

I was planning on buying a wind generator, building a pulley system for a couple of bicycles to turn it. I have noticed there are dc and ac generators, What should I use? Why do ac generators seem to always rectify to dc then they invert that back to ac?
Cameron

[Paul Camilli]

Thanks.
This may be a dumb question, why convert to dc to then convert back to ac?

my goal -
I am trying to make a science project. I want to make a home made generator to power a microwave (@1000 watts) with 2-3 people using pedal bicycles. What do I need? generator, then rectifier, then inverter, then I can plug into that?

I dont have a need to store the energy being made but if it is necessary, I can put a battery in the system.

I was planning on buying a wind generator, building a pulley system for a couple of bicycles to turn it. I have noticed there are dc and ac generators, What should I use? Why do ac generators seem to always rectify to dc then they invert that back to ac?
Cameron

Hi Cameron,

why convert to dc to then convert back to ac?

Cos your AC from the turbine is 'wild' (frequency changes with speed) and three phase, your microwave will be either 50/60Hz and 110/230v. It will also require around 30% more power than 'it says on the tin'. The power rating refers to the cooking capability and not the amount of energy it uses.

Can't remember how much power you can generate from one bicycle but it's only around a couple of hundred Watts so you'll need a few. Sounds good fun though.

Good luck, Paul

[Cameron sydenham]

ok, so I need
generator, a least 130% of what the box says
then what else and how would I put it together?
generator - rectifier - inverter with a plug? am I missing any parts? someone said I need a charge controler to feedback the generator?
Thanks, Cameron

[Paul Camilli]

ok, so I need
generator, a least 130% of what the box says
then what else and how would I put it together?
generator - rectifier - inverter with a plug? am I missing any parts? someone said I need a charge controler to feedback the generator?
Thanks, Cameron

I guess that to feed your microwave directly that would work if the inverter was big enough, if you had enough bicycles, people to keep them going constantly and if you could match the DC output from your rectifier to the inverter. Bear in mind though that you are dealing with potentially lethal voltages. Perhaps a safer way would be bicycles driving dynamos to charge batteries and us a 12V microwave :bigsmile:

Good luck, Paul