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#Post#: 5949--------------------------------------------------
Hydrocat turbine
By: rrattink Date: May 10, 2015, 2:58 pm
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I'm looking for a system to produce 12v power for river
prospecting and I found the hydrocat online. It's two hulls with
a waterwheel between them running a generator. The concept is
very simple and I have many possible ideas to improve it for my
needs but my challenge is the alternator. The water is at
relatively constant speed 24hrs a day with moderate flow changes
for seasonal influences such as rainfall or snowmelt as compared
to wind speed or solar. I have a spool of 24 gauge wire and
would most likely have a pma at both ends of the cross axle to
double the output. My question is what kind of pma would suit
this application given my wire size and slower waterwheel rpms?
Any input would be appreciated. I have n52 neos as well..
#Post#: 5957--------------------------------------------------
Re: Hydrocat turbine
By: lynx wind Date: May 11, 2015, 10:07 am
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Power is roughly speaking rpm x torque. With water you may have
a lot of torque and low rpm. The PMA just needs to be purpose
built. It may also be possible to gear up to get higher rpm
which is a benefit. I'l help you design if you can collect
some rough data on rpm and torque expected.
#Post#: 5959--------------------------------------------------
Re: Hydrocat turbine
By: rrattink Date: May 11, 2015, 7:48 pm
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Thx. I guess the place to start is by measuring the efficiency
of the "paddle wheel" in relation to the water flow and come up
with an rpm. Time to build. Any ideas on the most efficient
wheel diameter to length would be? Since water is much denser
than air the length would give me torque as more "blade surface"
is being pushed. Conversely a smaller diameter would spin faster
and improve rpm. Does this make sense to you? Got any forum
members up to date on hydrodynamics? 😀
#Post#: 5960--------------------------------------------------
Re: Hydrocat turbine
By: lynx wind Date: May 12, 2015, 7:02 am
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Water is analogous to electricity. Smaller pipe higher pressure
(volts). Higher volume higher flow (amps)
If you can drop the water from a height you will get more power.
This is why hydro electric plants draw water from near the top
and place the turbines below.
If you make a big diameter wheel you will get low rpm high
torque. Small diameter = high rpm low torque. Either way the
power is the same. Torque x rpm
Try making a system where the water has to flow through the
turbine and not around.
#Post#: 5961--------------------------------------------------
Re: Hydrocat turbine
By: rrattink Date: May 12, 2015, 9:39 am
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Thx. I get what your saying with the dam analogy but this puppy
will be portable and floats on the surface of the creek or
river. I'll draw something up of wat I'm looking at so you can
get an idea. This is the initial source of my idea
HTML https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H3_jPbQ2iuc
#Post#: 5962--------------------------------------------------
Re: Hydrocat turbine
By: lynx wind Date: May 12, 2015, 11:44 am
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Considering the Hydro Cat design is so easy it justifies the
lower efficiency. Not everyone is going to build an elevated
water fall leading to a hydro plant. I have a PMA that I run
with a steam engine. It puts out 200 watts and only turns at
about 200 rpm.
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