[Oeva-list] Anyone have experience with permanent magnet alternators?

[Tim Kutscha]

Hi All,

I'm working with someone on a homebrew series hybrid car (similar to the Chevy Volt).  We're looking to charge the main EV battery with a diesel engine driving a PMA (permanent magnet alternator).  Neither of us has experience with PMAs or how to properly select them for hybrid, micro-hydro or micro-wind usage.

Does anyone in the OEVA have experience with PMAs that would be willing to share their knowledge?  Ideally, we're looking for someone to provide pointers on PMA selection and then be present during testing for a few hours so we know what we're looking for in terms of performance (or things that can go wrong).

Examples of the types of PMAs we're looking at are here:

http://www.windbluepower.com/category_s/1.htm
http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/powerpmas.html

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Cheers,
Tim