Doubling up magnets vs additional stators in an axial flux PMA

Hi all, new to register but long time reader of the forum. I need advice on magnet configuration and optimization of multiple stators in my 3 phase axial flux alternator.

 I know ring magnets are not ideal (in comparison to rectangle) but I have x 24, extremely powerful cylinder/ring magnets (1” deep, 1.25’ diameter, with 3/8” diameter hole in the center. I also have x 36+ coils (with access to many more) salvaged from street light ballasts labeled as 240 volts (2.5”x 3.25” with 1.25” by 2” hole).

None of this will be an exact science as I am using free and available materials so its what I got to work with. My struggle is determining how to best arrange these for maximum performance in a single, large turbine.

Scenario 1)

Three separate stators consisting of 9 coils each with two rotors between them with 12 magnets each (in groups of two,  so six magnet positions, nine coil positions). see diagram.

Scenario 2)

5 separate rows of stators consisting of 9 coils each, Four rotors between them with 6 magnets each. see diagram.

Should the usage influence which solution to use, I will be tying this directly to water heating elements to heat an underground (or insulated) water thermal battery. So raw wattage is my priority over clean voltage. Size and volume of thermal battery (and number of heating elements) will depend on the turbine output (hoping for 500 – 1000 gallons, perhaps too optimistic). I live on the open prairie with abundant wind (southeast Saskatchewan Canada) and turbine will be placed on a 50ft tower.

Questions:

Would the doubling up of magnets in each position (to make one longer field over a single coil) produce a stronger or wider field to accommodate/fill the coils opening? or would the gains from this be minor in comparison to having a more rotors and coils using single magnet per position?

Would the irregularities from the “figure 8” profile field (from the two combined magnets) cause inefficiencies interacting with the coil? Is a more unified field (more similar in shape to the coil) preferable?

Also considering sandwiching the rotor magnets between two metal plates for rotation precision and longevity (saw blades). Does physical connection to a metal plate effect the performance of the magnetic fields? Alternating negative, positive in a concentric circle seems to me like a plate would conduct or dull the potency of the field?

In a single rotor, single stator set up this wouldn’t matter (as only a single plate would be required and it would be on the outside pointed away from the coils) but I will have multiple rotors between multiple stators.

Is casting magnets in resin a more desirable method than steel plates ? Just concerned about the precision and longevity (machining the casting to be perfectly balanced).

Thanks in advance for your help!