WANTED - Car Alternator - Any one will do

What have you got? Just need to know the Amps. Oh, needs to be 12v so not a truck alternator.

Just curious wot ya doing with it, making a wind generaror ?? Spicey.

If you can hang on a couple of weeks, ill bring one over for you.

I'm making a Dr Emmet Brown type of invention . 12v power generation through wind and pedal power.

Dave, does that mean you have one lying around then?

Yep, could do with getting rid of some of my 'collection', otherwise ill never be able to move out. Ill be travelling down from santander on the 1st Nov.

Ok, then that sounds great. A few questions then; what's the ampage? new or used? from what car? and how much?

While I'm at it, do you have a welder? Preferably gasless mig, but Arc will do. I only need a smallish one.

Not sure about what the alternator will be off, and ill have a look at the amperage when I go to work in a bit. No spare welder im afraid, but i'd avoid a gasless mig, look for a normal mig,or you can pick up an arc welder fairly cheap now. What are you going to be welding?

It's mostly going to be mild steel but I may end up needing it for other metals. The reason I ask for a gassless one is because I'm going to be working outside and a normal gas mig is not suitable for those conditions.

NEWS FLASH!!!!! After checking and double checking my algorithms I think I'm going to need a 24V one now and NOT a 12V one. This could still potentially come off of a car though.

Sorry, ive got no 24v ones, but I can ask the breakers for you if you want, but they aren't going to be free............

Seriously avoid gasless migs. they are carp and the gasless wire is uber expensive. Look for a good used machine, but beware of where and why its for sale. You could looky here [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Well I question I have then Dave is; do you know at what RPM the 12v alternator will start to deliver 12.5V+?

I know a normal gas mig is better, however, for welding outside it would be as useful as a catflap on a submarine.

Here ya gooooooo [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

A good forum that first link, I found it some months back but have not really had the time to explore it. The other site is not really relevant in this particular situation as I know how to test an alternator, just not at what RPM it starts generating useful power

Surely you can adjust the size of the pulley wheels to achieve the output you want? Or is that not feasable?

Yep, i would have thought so too.

sierra_satellites wrote:Surely you can adjust the size of the pulley wheels to achieve the output you want? Or is that not feasable?

Yes I will use different gearing to increase the rmp at the motor, but my point is, if it doesn't even start generating in excess of 12v @ a reasonable rpm then pedal power just won't cut it. I'm fit and strong but still don't think I can cycle at 50Mph!

Jason, If you haven't seen it before this book should be of interest [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] There is also a website for the book [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

You could always ride to the pub and save electricity, burn calories, get fit and reward yourself afterwards.

Brilliant link Stu, thanks mate.

And Sierra, none of your advice above charges batteries, but I may still do all of that anyway, just for the hell of it.
Perhaps I could attach a trailer to the bike, pop the batteries in and cycle to Seville and back. I might have enough power to make a cup of tea when I get back

You might need one after all that.

Indeed. The beer sounds a little more appealing though.

just going back to mig welders if you are welding outside just increase the gas flow I find this works a treat!!!!!!!!Dave any chance of one of those alternater or dynos things,then I can watch back issues of blue peter!!!!
No seriously if you have one a mate is looking for one to make a wind generator.
ta Ross

Ross, ill try to remember to put one on board for you. Will have to work out how to get it to you.

dave that would be great.When you return give me a call and I can collect.
I presume you are local to me!!!!!ie 25 km radius of Zujar.