1.
As a general rule, you want to have the highest RPM for the lowest current draw. Though I work it out as the lowest amps per pulse per minute.
This video shows how I work it out and a comparison of a few different configurations.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HIvA4uo72wE
So to get that figure you want to use this forumlu
Amps / (RPM x Number of Magnets) = X
You want X to be as low as possible.
Though I should mention RPM x Number of Magnets won't neccessairly give you pulses per minute since it is very likely that the coil is pulsing mulitple times per magnets pass. There has been some debate as to whether multiple pulses are better than single pulses and it seems to vary from machine to machine.
But the equation above should allow you to find the sweet spot anyway, whether it is multiple pulsing or single pulsing.
2.
Another thing you will see in the video above is the strobe. This is an incredibly handy tool to use if you do not have an osciloscope!
Below you will find the schematic for hooking a strobe up to your SSG.
You want to place a peice of black card over your rotor and put a white strip across the position of every magnet.
The LED will light whenever the coil pulses and if you shine the LED onto the card while the SSG is spinning, it will show you the number of pulses and their duration on every magnet.
This is very handy so you can see exactly what your machine is doing.
3.
Another method commonly used is to put a AM radio next to your coil. This will let you hear how your coil is pulsing. This isn't a great method unless you know what your sweet spot sounds like.
4.
Another method is to put a small bulb in series on the trigger side of the circuit. When the motor is spinning at its sweet spot, you want the bulb to glow dimly.
This isn't really a tuning method, but sort of a way to "auto tune" the circuit. As the current increases in the trigger circuit the bulb will glow brighter, as so it's resistance increases. The main problem with this method is that you need a bulb suited for your device. I can't offer advice on the best bulb but somewhere around 12V 25ma - 100ma is the general range.
5.
One highly recommended method is the "1 ohm Resistor Test"
Take off your charging battery and replace it with a 1 ohm resistor. Let the SSG get up to speed and then measure the voltage across the resistor. It should be less than a volt. If it is higher than a volt then fiddle with your potentiometer until it is under 1 volt.
This is so that we know we are getting just the right mix of radiant and conventional energy charging the battery.
The neon should not light during this test. If it does, then there is something wrong!
Ok, well I think that is every tuning method I can think of! If you have any problems let me know!
Good Luck!
