Hello Everyone,
I have more questions for this project then I have answers. I was hoping that the great people of Electro Tech Forums would be able to give some insight into what I will need and what I will be able to do. Without farther ado:
First the project:
I am looking to build a small circuit that will switch a load from a power supply to a generator when the generator's voltage reaches that of the power supply.
Specs:
Generator:
Brushless Motor
3-phase
0 - 35 V peak
Power Supply:
18.5 V
25 Amps
Load:
17 Amps nominal, 25 amp peak (@ 18.5 V)
Design:
The circuit need to be able to convert the AC signals from the 3-phase generator and regulate the voltage to 18.5 V. When the regulated voltage matches that of the power supply, the load needs to switch from the power supply to the generator. If the generator's voltage drops below 18.5 V, we need to switch back to power supply.
Ideas:
Take the 3-phase AC signals and feed them into 2 single phase bridge rectifiers, rated 25 Amps. Converting AC to DC voltage.
Feed the rectified DC voltage it a capacitor to stabilize.
Feed stabilized voltage through voltage regulator rated at 18.5 V (unknown is possible).
Do some kind of hardware magic and switch between the power supply and the regulated generator voltage.
Now the questions:
1. Is it possible to measure the amperes generated from a generator directly? Or do you need to provide a load and measure the amps supplied to the load?
2. If it is possible to measure the amperes directly, how would one do so with a regular voltmeter?
3. What would be a good size for the capacitor to stabilize the incoming DC voltage?
4. How would you be able to switch the load from power supply to generator?
5. How do you "sense" if an incoming voltage drops below a threshold?
6. Is it possible to regulate voltage to 18.5 V using a SMT or thru-hole chip, or do I need some kind of resistor-diode-capacitor combo to regulate the voltage?
7. How would you minimalize power loss in this type of circuit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have more questions for this project then I have answers. I was hoping that the great people of Electro Tech Forums would be able to give some insight into what I will need and what I will be able to do. Without farther ado:
First the project:
I am looking to build a small circuit that will switch a load from a power supply to a generator when the generator's voltage reaches that of the power supply.
Specs:
Generator:
Brushless Motor
3-phase
0 - 35 V peak
Power Supply:
18.5 V
25 Amps
Load:
17 Amps nominal, 25 amp peak (@ 18.5 V)
Design:
The circuit need to be able to convert the AC signals from the 3-phase generator and regulate the voltage to 18.5 V. When the regulated voltage matches that of the power supply, the load needs to switch from the power supply to the generator. If the generator's voltage drops below 18.5 V, we need to switch back to power supply.
Ideas:
Take the 3-phase AC signals and feed them into 2 single phase bridge rectifiers, rated 25 Amps. Converting AC to DC voltage.
Feed the rectified DC voltage it a capacitor to stabilize.
Feed stabilized voltage through voltage regulator rated at 18.5 V (unknown is possible).
Do some kind of hardware magic and switch between the power supply and the regulated generator voltage.
Now the questions:
1. Is it possible to measure the amperes generated from a generator directly? Or do you need to provide a load and measure the amps supplied to the load?
2. If it is possible to measure the amperes directly, how would one do so with a regular voltmeter?
3. What would be a good size for the capacitor to stabilize the incoming DC voltage?
4. How would you be able to switch the load from power supply to generator?
5. How do you "sense" if an incoming voltage drops below a threshold?
6. Is it possible to regulate voltage to 18.5 V using a SMT or thru-hole chip, or do I need some kind of resistor-diode-capacitor combo to regulate the voltage?
7. How would you minimalize power loss in this type of circuit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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