- #1
Colt22
- 14
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I'm working on (building) a small induction generator setup. Its still well into the testing phase and i have a, what i think is anyways, rather complex question.
I know that the output characteristics (voltage and line frequency) of the generator at a given load is proportional to the capacitance on the system. What i would like to do is setup a system were more capacitance is switched into the circuit as the load on the system increases.
My current idea is to use a set of cheap-ish AC ammeters with variable scales, say a 0-5 A, 0-10 A and 0-15 A. I would modify each ammeter so that when each hits a certain value it would trip a small switch/close a circuit. For example, put a little stop contact on the scale plate, and use a metal needle on the meter, when they touch it closes a circut, also the stop contact will prevent the needle from moving further, so the circuit is closed as long as the current exceeded whatever arbitrary value i put the stop at.
I can use this low voltage/current from the closed circuit to signal a TRIAC which will bring a new capacitor into the system at whatever current i set it to. I have not looked into any particular TRIAC, but i assume you could find one that has a holding current of a certain value so that it will remove the capacitor if the load on the system drops Ok, now that this lengthy idea is out of the way, what i REALLY want to know is A)is the above even feasible...or safe... and B) is there a solid state alternative that is economically viable...
I know that the output characteristics (voltage and line frequency) of the generator at a given load is proportional to the capacitance on the system. What i would like to do is setup a system were more capacitance is switched into the circuit as the load on the system increases.
My current idea is to use a set of cheap-ish AC ammeters with variable scales, say a 0-5 A, 0-10 A and 0-15 A. I would modify each ammeter so that when each hits a certain value it would trip a small switch/close a circuit. For example, put a little stop contact on the scale plate, and use a metal needle on the meter, when they touch it closes a circut, also the stop contact will prevent the needle from moving further, so the circuit is closed as long as the current exceeded whatever arbitrary value i put the stop at.
I can use this low voltage/current from the closed circuit to signal a TRIAC which will bring a new capacitor into the system at whatever current i set it to. I have not looked into any particular TRIAC, but i assume you could find one that has a holding current of a certain value so that it will remove the capacitor if the load on the system drops Ok, now that this lengthy idea is out of the way, what i REALLY want to know is A)is the above even feasible...or safe... and B) is there a solid state alternative that is economically viable...
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