Before starting this topic, it´s time for a little thought and some experimenting by you Bedini enthusiasts !
Let´s consider our power consumption. Simple, measure our voltage source and the current consumption using our trusty digital meter. OK, multiplying volts and amps gives the wattage.
Now let´s think of a simple way that we might be able to cut our power consumption by 50% or more ?
Try this. Run your Bedini motor up to speed. Now disconnect the power and count to 5. Now reconnect it again and count to 5. Keep on repeating this - your motor will continue to run (if it´s got reasonable bearings). Some of you might even find that the motor speed is only marginally effected.
Amazing ! That means we´re wasting power; its ability to charge a battery will be impacted, but the power was coming from our running battery in the first place.
So our power consumption is now 50% less. But wait, how do we measure that just to make sure ? The applied volts can be measured but what about the current ? The trusty old digital meter isn´t very good at averaging over our on/off period.
But wait, if you stop to think again, the current was pulsed on and off by the motor - it´s only on when a rotor´s magnet passes the trigger coil ... but that´s fast and our meter reads a constant value. Is it the right value ? How can we be sure ?
This is the catch ! Working with pulse driven systems makes it all extremely difficult to measure anything with certainty and accuracy.
(As we use solar cells, there were times that even measuring the running voltage was difficult. Without a smoothing capacitor across the cells, we found that the our Fluke 85 meter showed an increase in voltage that was proportional to the motor´s speed - it moved from 1.2 volts to 1.8 volts ! `Radiant Power´ ? No, just the impedance of the cells supplying a pulse demand causing our meter to read wrong. Our old AVO 8 remained steady on 1.2 volts.)
The relationship and timing of the trigger and power pulse is critical for a high performance and efficient motor.
(A motor that `sprays´ a rotating magnet field into the environment can never be considered to be efficient in the normal sense. Every `true´ design of electric motor considers this fact by striving to contain and focus such precious `radiant energy´.
Motors are designed to provide quantified torque / power - again this is of no concern in the Bedini Motor.
But the Bedini Motor provides a source of discovery and inspiration. Everyone can make one from basic, low cost materials. They can own it, refine it, modifying and improving its performance whilst requiring little theoretical knowledge.
The leaky rotational magnetic field is fun - most have observed the remote interaction of other magnets which does not happen with commercial motors.)
In the SSG, the trigger and power pulse are coincident. Therefore, if the approach of a rotor magnet triggers the circuit too early, then power is wasted. At its worst, the power pulse might decelerate the rotor before it is accelerated. There is an optimal moment to `push´ the rotor.
If the trigger is late, then again power is wasted as the rotor magnet has passed the optimum point of acceleration.
The analogy of an internal combustion engine and its ignition timing sequence is valid and useful. Consider the effects of early or late ignition - terms such as `pinking´ and `knocking´ are known by all car mechanics - engine noise produced by timing errors.
The SSG does not allow adjustment of timing. The trigger must be processed independently and in isolation from the power pulse. The use of a separate coil, reed switch or Hall-Effect sensor are good solutions. The sensor can then be physically moved in relation to the pulse coil.
Those who have created Bedini Motors using an independent sensor can confirm these observations and conclusions.
Looking back at the internal combustion engine, there is another factor - engine speed. The optimal operating ignition point varies according to piston speed.
The same is true for the Bedini Motor.
Some will have discovered this fact. By mounting an adjustable, independent trigger, it has been demonstrated that performance improvement can be made as the rotor speed varies.
It should be evident that the SSG is indeed simple and, as a consequence, little performance improvement can be made.
Like the fuel injected by the carburetor, consideration needs to be made of the power pulse duration. This and more will be the topic of a later entry.
