What resources to learn to design a small 500W synchronous generator?

[Quix270]

I want to learn to design a synchronous generator, I search and search but I don’t find nothing to that.

 

[berkeman]

Synchronous with what? The Grid? If so, are you planning some kind of combination to power your home with this generator and Grid power?

 

[Quix270]

Yeah, synchronous with electro magnets conectes to the grid. Where I can learn to design that? Including losses and all factors I have to consider

 

[berkeman]

I'll page @anorlunda to get you a better answer, but you will also need to talk to your local power utility to find out what-all you need to do in order to connect any power generation to the Grid. They control the specifications and approvals for the interface to the Grid, because there are several very important things to do right (or else people can get hurt). You can do a search on "Anti-Islanding" in power generation, for example to see one such very important requirement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islanding

 

[Quix270]

And for permanent magnet synchronous generator? Where I can learn to design that?

 

[berkeman]

And for permanent magnet synchronous generator? Where I can learn to design that?

Do you have access to a machine shop to do this fabrication?

 

[anorlunda]

In most cases, synchronous generators are much larger than 500W, like up to 1 GW.

But a quick search on Amazon, showed many books on syncrhnous machine design. For example, this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00866H3NM/?tag=pfamazon01-20

By the way, there is no essential difference between a synchronous generator and a synchronous motor.

But that info is not likely to help you. You are not allowed to connect your own generation directly to the power grid. That causes numerous safety problems and operations problems for the utility. In most places, the utility requires an interface box that they supply and they install. Most of those are designed for homeowners with solar DC or wind power at their homes. You could do the same, but the interface box makes the advantage of synchronous generators vanish. It may be better for you to generate 500W DC.

Small scale wind turbines tend to use BLDC generators. That would probably work better for you than synchronous.

I'm curious, what is your source of 500W of mechanical power? Is it hydro? If so, then many DIY hydro homowners just use vehicle alternators to generate the DC.

 

[Quix270]

Do you have access to a machine shop to do this fabrication?

Yes

 

[Quix270]

In case I want to design a 500w synchronous generator powered by water, where I can learn to design it? Permanent magnet

 

[anorlunda]

In case I want to design a 500w synchronous generator powered by water, where I can learn to design it? Permanent magnet

I gave you a link in #7.

Design from scratch can be very rewarding, but if the goal is something practical rather than the joy of designing your own, then there are easier ways.

But an ordinary 50 amp, 12 V alternator can make 500 watts DC for you. You can probably find one in a junkyard for $5 to $10. Also, inexpensive 12V inverters can make AC for you to run your appliences from that, but not to connect to the grid.

On Youtube you can find many DIY hydro videos showing how others have done that.

Good luck. I envy you. I would love to own some land where DIY hydro was practical.

 

[Quix270]

So in the link you give I can lear to design a generator from 0? Thanks for you help

 

[berkeman]

Do you have access to a machine shop to do this fabrication?

Yes

Good luck. I envy you. I would love to own some land where DIY hydro was practical.

Same here! I envy that he has land with enough hydro head to make some local power, and access to a machine shop to fabricate a generator. Very fun.

I don't think I'd be wanting to jump through all the hoops to push 500W back into the Grid when I'm not using it, though.

 

[anorlunda]

Same here! I envy that he has land with enough hydro head to make some local power, and access to a machine shop to fabricate a generator. Very fun.

I always compared a small hydro plant to a machine that prints money. The original Niagara Falls generators continued producing for nearly 100 years, with just a few drops of oil per year maintenance.

We should both move to Norway. There is lots of unused land there, and 1000 m of head is not unusual. Just bore a hole in the rock from the glacier topped plateau, down to sea level and use a pelton wheel. That's a fun daydream.

 

[Quix270]

You’re right