Need help with ac generator

[Torfridur Berjastein]

Hello, im working on a project with a water wheel, i took a generator of a dissel generator, but when i turn the generator i get no voltage, does the generator have to be at a fixed rpm to produce energy? For now im just trying to heat water with a heating element. Its a 3kw generator and its made to run at 3000rpm. Please tell me if you need to know more.

Thanks

[Rob Beckers]

Torfridur, what type of alternator is this? Likely it is not a permanent magnet type (since those are pricey and rarely used for gensets), but an synchronous type that has exitation windings to generate a magnetic field. They need current to get it to produce power.

You're going to need a heck of a gear ratio to get a generator meant for 3000 RPM to produce meaningful amounts of power from a water wheel (which I presume runs at just a few dozen RPM)...

-RoB-

[Torfridur Berjastein]

Thanks for reply Rob.

Yes its an synchronous type, so i need to plug something into it to start making voltage?

Thanks Tórfríður