wide range DC to 13.8V DC converter

Hi,

I am trying to figure out how I can make a regulator for a small wind
turbine. The output is to charge 12V lead acid batteries.

The turbine outputs from 0-110V - (usually around 20-30V). The normal
approach is to regulate to 13.8V, and dump the excess voltage through
a shunt resistor. However this seems very wasteful, and I was
wondering if there is a way of converting the excess voltage to
current?

A long winded way would be to convert the input to a simple square
wave, and pass it through one of set of transformers, which is
automaticaly selected based on the input voltage. So T1 could deal
with voltages 20-30V, T2 30-50V, T3 50-80V... Then rectify and
regulate the output to 13.8V. As I say, long winded! And there has to
be a better way!

Ideas?
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: wide range DC to 13.8V DC converter
    ... I am trying to figure out how I can make a regulator for a small wind ... The output is to charge 12V lead acid batteries. ... approach is to regulate to 13.8V, and dump the excess voltage through ... automaticaly selected based on the input voltage. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: wide range DC to 13.8V DC converter
    ... The output is to charge 12V lead acid batteries. ... approach is to regulate to 13.8V, and dump the excess voltage through ... a shunt resistor. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)