> At a certain point, roughly 400Hz, the delta configuration 
> gives
> a lot more wattage

Probably only if you don't use a smart converter betwixt 
mill and battery. Done properly you should be able to use 
whatever is optimum for the mill and then buck convert it 
down.

...

> I suggested taking two of the 3-phase terminals on the 
> turbine
> head and feeding them into a bridge. He tells me that at 
> high
> speed, the turbine can put out up to 110V (he didn't 
> specify
> pk-pk or RMS). At low speed, just a few volts, obviously
>
> Is what I suggested safe/practical ? Also, how would I 
> cope
> with such a wide range of input voltages into perhaps a 
> SMPS
> or linear regulator ? Bit out of my comfort zone

Safety is entirely in how you do it.
Entirely practical.
Why not use the output voltage as a power source?
if you want to use the raw AC directly then

- Linear regulator takes 50 mA x 100v = 10 Watts = wasteful 
etc.

- SMPS makes it easy.
My GSR would do it with ease. Or an MC34063 buck or 
whatever.
GSR is well suited to very wide voltage range.

Discuss.


        Russell 

-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist