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RPM speed controller

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 1:49 pm
by Wellington
I need a super simple way to control the rpm on a horizontal alpha engine so as to not overcharge a battery. I've seen centrifugal governors on steam engines but these require machine shop tooling to make. Is there a super simple way to control rpm mechanically without machine shop tooling?
Thanks
Wellington

Re: RPM speed controller

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:06 am
by Ian S C
Wellington, if you built a Stirling Engine good enough to power a generator you could probably make a governor, but how about going the other way and put a voltage regulator on the out put of the generator, there are plenty of circuits on the net for a simple design. you will need a voltage regulator IC, some resistors and capacitors, and a little bit of Vero Board, or similar, or you can probably just solder the bits together. With some types of regulator(LM 317) it can be made adjustable.
Ian S C