Regulating 90 vdc mtr used as Generator on windmill???

[bajavern]

I have built my own windmill, I would like to use a 90 volt DC Dayton motor as a generator. But I would like to regulate it down to 12 vdc. All I want to do is put some 12 volt lights on my tower that will light up as the wind blows... I already have this motor, (the reason for wanting to use it) this motor is 1.8 amps if this helps. I have turned the motor with a drill and it makes electricity @ fairly low speeds, but I don't want to burn out my lights every time we get higher winds...
Any help on a regulator of some sort would be greatly apprieciated....

 

[electricuwe]

At first you have to check if your gnerator has a filed winding or if it uses permanet magnets for excitation.

If a field winding is accesible you can use the field current to control the armature voltage. In the other case you need some electronic circuit (a buck converter) to step down the voltage.

 

[bajavern]

This is a permanent magnet motor, So, I guess I would need this "buck converter" to step down the voltage. Please forgive me and my lack of electricle knowledge, but I have no idea what this type of converter is. Is it somthing that could easily be built, or maybe someone knows where there is a web site or somthing that could help me out a little more...
Thanks for your input Electricuwe It's all helpfull in one way or another....

 

[busbar]

Maybe places like...

http://www.homepower.com

or books from outfits like

http://www.realgoods.com

 

[UKpete]

The buck converter may also be known as a "DC to DC converter" (try a general search engine with this phrase), at the bottom end of the power range these are small single chips. At your rating they may not be too cheap, unless you put a simple one together yourself (maybe try the electronics forum).

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: A dc-dc converter that has its input voltage rated from about 10VDC to 100VDC and power rating depending on the lamp watt rating. There are manufacturers listed on:

http://www.thomasregister.com

Type Converters: DC-DC under Product or Service, which will return 180 companies to inquire about the right converter for your application.