What is the easiest/cheapest way to charge batteries from a wind generator.

Can I use normal 120v battery chargers with a 120v generator? Is there any easy way to do this with stuff I can buy at the store, regardless of efficiency.

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May 7, 2009. 10:02 AMfrollard says:
It all depends on the native output of the wind generator - it's likely 'wild ac' meaning the frequency and power are proportional to wind speed. You need to rectify that to DC - and depending on voltage, convert, or limit that voltage so it doesn't damage the batteries.
May 8, 2009. 10:37 PMfrollard says:
Yes - if you dont wish to build your own, you wish a wind-generator charge controller. They're not too too cheap though, so a lot of people build their own. The components: A bridge rectifier to turn the ac to dc, a largeish capacitor (not 100% necesary) to buffer the pulses into more stable power, and a regulator to stop too much voltage from wrecking your batteries - feed that into a dc input battery charger.

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