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Hello! My first robot project will involve turning my snow blowing into a autonimous droid that I will control via live video feed from my house. It will require both an Arudino Mega and a Rasberry Pi working together along with a dozen HiTec Servos (some waterproof, some super-troque), one electric motor and TONS of Adafruit electronics!
I have two challenges that I don't know how to overcome, this thread addresses the second; building a method to use the engine's alternator to power my Microcontroller, Pi and Servos.
The engine is a beefy-one, a Techumseh HMSK80 (8 HP) with a beef alternator; Techumseh Part 611113, (3 Amp DC / 5 Amp AC):
Which will be inside my HSMK80 engine on my snow blower:
My plan is to use a 12V Car Battery in the droid, and I would like to charge the battery via this alternator - but I don't know what kind of rectifier or regulator circuit that I would need to safely charge the battery. This is where my knowledge of electronics falls-off..
Any input would be much appreciated!!
Using Power from a Small Engine Alternator
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- john444
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:42 pm
Re: Using Power from a Small Engine Alternator
Hi Maix,
What you have is truly a 'alternator'. The coils are fixed and the magnet(s) spin around them.
This produces an AC current whose frequency depends on the engine speed. Also, there
are usually 3 sets of windings but I am not sure in your case.
"Tecumseh 34443D (replaces 34443A) Solid State Ass'y". I suppose you could build on yourself.
There are battery charger circuits on the web. Although, riding on a snow blower might be a pretty rough environment.
If you really want to build your own regulator/charger, feel free to contact me by PM.
Good Luck, John
What you have is truly a 'alternator'. The coils are fixed and the magnet(s) spin around them.
This produces an AC current whose frequency depends on the engine speed. Also, there
are usually 3 sets of windings but I am not sure in your case.
Ideally, you would use the regulator designed for this application, the item 100 on the parts diagramMiax wrote:I don't know what kind of rectifier or regulator circuit that I would need to safely charge the battery.
"Tecumseh 34443D (replaces 34443A) Solid State Ass'y". I suppose you could build on yourself.
There are battery charger circuits on the web. Although, riding on a snow blower might be a pretty rough environment.
If you really want to build your own regulator/charger, feel free to contact me by PM.
Good Luck, John
- miax
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:41 am
Re: Using Power from a Small Engine Alternator
John,
Thanks for the replies! That makes sense, I didn't know which part on the engine handled the regulation function.
In the spirit of Making and a desire to learn, I would like to take you up on your offer and build one. I'll contact you by PM!
Thanks.
Kris
Thanks for the replies! That makes sense, I didn't know which part on the engine handled the regulation function.
In the spirit of Making and a desire to learn, I would like to take you up on your offer and build one. I'll contact you by PM!
Thanks.
Kris
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.