Components for New Project

Projects General Guidance
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Hi,
I am nee to this forum, however i need some help with research on components. I currently work in a hydroelectric facility and i have had an interest in making a functional model of a hydroelectric generator. I have made simple motors in the past that drain batteries and I have experience in electronics. For this project, I have my base idea down, but when it comes to the electronic components, I have no idea to find what im looking for.

The gist of my Project is to build a function francis turbine with a digital govenor to control water flow, thus controlling speed and generation. I also then want to build my own generator with static excitation for the rotor. With this, I would need an AVR as well as a encoder or another way to read speed of the unit. I will be trying to complete the magority of this project using microcontrollers, but will incorporate PLCs if i need to.

I know that if it comes down to it, I could make a Auto Voltage Regulator using SCRs to control voltage output, and fire them from a separite microcontroller whose whole purpose is to serve the AVR. I was curious if you know of any AVRs that could be bought for a low cost for a hobby. I know i could also use a variable voltage regulator hooked up to a servo to adjust voltage, but i want to make this sleek and not as clunky.

Second, I could use a hall efect sensor to act as a pulse wheel encoder for the speed of the unit. But i was curious if you knew of any other sensors that might work better for this as a magnet attached to the side could throw off the balancing of the unit and end up hurting efficiency.

Do you guys know of different Voltage, Ampere, and frequency meters that would be compatable with an Arduino microcontroller? As i said, i want to try (if parts permit) to do this all on a microcontroller. I have an Arduino Mega 2560 currently.

I know this is not overly thought out, but i need to learn more about components available before i can fully plan.

I will be 3d printing the mechanical parts and will have everything all the way to working wicket gates.

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So put a Hall sensor on each side and divide the resulting pulse train by two. Paint one half of an exposed shaft white and the other half black - position a photosensor to 'see' the shaft turning. Mount an incremental encoder on a shaft and read pulses as the shaft turns.

Multiple ways to skin this cat.

1 Like
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Work on the turbine first, not the end product. You will be very busy getting the thrust bearings and water seals working.

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