New Wind Generator

[peternap]

I'm always fiddling with small generators. I was taalking to Larry Kidd (The big kidd) and he put me on to this company. I looked at their low wind generator and liked the build. I talked to the owner and ordered one today. Looks like it will put out an amp at 10 mph wind.

http://www.windbluepower.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CY-LOW-KIT

[Phssthpok]

Man...don't tell me I followed you here from Fieldlines as well!

[NM_Shooter]

Excellent post.  At >$500, if that really performs and holds up over time, it will be well worth it.  I think that quality solar panels will cost you $500 for about 75 to 100W, so this is not out of that ballpark.  Given that you have to have wind you probably do better in a windy place.... but it also blows at night so it is probably a wash.   

[NM_Shooter]

Old wind generator:

[MountainDon]

I looked at those last year and thought them to be something I'd try if I had enough dependable wind that I could reach. Reaching in among the 55 to 75 foot trees is my problem. I'd need a 100 foot tower.  

I also see the price has risen since last summer. Bummer, but it still looks good.

Keep us posted Peter, please.



As for beans, Frank, I believe Bush's are better than Campbell's. 

[peternap]

Excellent post.  At >$500, if that really performs and holds up over time, it will be well worth it.  I think that quality solar panels will cost you $500 for about 75 to 100W, so this is not out of that ballpark.  Given that you have to have wind you probably do better in a windy place.... but it also blows at night so it is probably a wash.   

Yep...I've still got 12 solar panels I haven't put up yet and we're doing fine on the 12 that are up....but the generator I built self destructed during a storm last summer and the pelton just doesn't put out much power. I'm hoping this will give me a reliable 24 hour charging system.

Man...don't tell me I followed you here from Fieldlines as well!

The net is a small world!

[diyfrank]

Thanks for the link. I may try one later when I'm a little farther along.

[Alasdair]

These guys are ahead of the game in the U.K. The problem on the west coast of Scotland is often too much wind rather than too little!
Most windmills have to be shut down in high winds - these ones still operate well in a good gale. They are set the opposite way from most wind generators so the blades trail behind it rather than in front.

http://www.provenenergy.co.uk/

[peternap]

Old wind generator:

You must not have read my post about my bean fueled Whizzer, Frank.
If my theory is correct, one can fart himself across the country and never stop for fuel

[NM_Shooter]

There are four of us in my immediate family. 

Check out the make on my trailer below.  I want to put in parenthesis below the make name: 

(Think Chili Night)

[glenn kangiser]

This site has always been interesting to me

http://www.scoraigwind.com/

Your direction (previous anyway) I think, Al.

1 amp is not much though as far as a wind generator goes.  At 12 volts its only 12 watts.

[peternap]

This site has always been interesting to me

http://www.scoraigwind.com/

Your direction (previous anyway) I think, Al.

1 amp is not much though as far as a wind generator goes.  At 12 volts its only 12 watts.

It's not much Glenn, but that is also in a minimal breeze. Based on the winds there, I should average two and a half to three amps. I want this to run it's own small battery bank for special purposes like water pumping to the storage tank. Since it will stay locked (Shunted) while I'm not there, I'll put one of the 15 watt spare solar panals on that bank also for a maintenance charge.

This will also add that little extra charge capacity for night charging. The fact that it's also set up for 3 phase AC is nice too. I can switch between the two when needed, from the base of the tower.

[peternap]

OOOPS! I made a mistake Glenn. A good one though.

My old generator using four foot vanes was averaging 300 to 350 RPM's. That was with PVC pipe vanes and I suspect this will be a little faster.

Looking at the power curve I should be getting 7 to 9 amps.

[Windpower]

I have some experience with the Air X from Southwest wind power

it was quite reliable but somewhat noisey in higher wind speeds ~ 20mph and above

but if the noise really bothers you, you can turn it off with a switch

To me it wasn't a problem

output was about what the specs said -- about 30 KW hrs per month (12 mph wind average)

I ordered 6 of the 48V models from ebay for about $560 each
( higher voltage of course saves $ on hook up wire)

I expect to get about 180 KWatt- Hrs per month

http://www.windenergy.com/products/air_x.htm



I think my main concern with the WindBlue unit would be bearings in the alternator

The bearings in the AirX are Ford truck spindle bearings IIRC -- very heavy duty

the loading on the main bearings is quite demanding especially when the unit yaws in gusty conditions (the gyroscope effect)

vibration is also more of a problem with 2 blade designs

I would be a bit concerned with the (only) two mounting bolts at the top and bottom of the alternator frame too

I would use the best hardware I could find and Locktite the bolts (vibration again)

good luck with the unit -- I hope it works well

[peternap]

I think my main concern with the WindBlue unit would be bearings in the alternator

The bearings in the AirX are Ford truck spindle bearings IIRC -- very heavy duty

the loading on the main bearings is quite demanding especially when the unit yaws in gusty conditions (the gyroscope effect)

vibration is also more of a problem with 2 blade designs

I would be a bit concerned with the (only) two mounting bolts at the top and bottom of the alternator frame too

I would use the best hardware I could find and Locktite the bolts (vibration again)

good luck with the unit -- I hope it works well

I had/have the same concerns WP. The bearings are of less concern. I emailed a couple of people who have them and none had bearing failures. The company has warranted it for a year in addition to the 90 days stated. I used my AmEx to buy it because AmEx adds an additional year replacement or repair warranty.

The bearings will go one day, they always do. It's put in new ones or another generator time then.

My bigger concern is the two bolts. I tend to overbuild everything. These will get the "ain't coming out without a torch" epoxy touch and I will use quality stainless bolts.

From there on...it's just a matter of seeing how it works.

[Windpower]

"These will get the "ain't coming out without a torch" epoxy touch and I will use quality stainless bolts."






I like that, permission to use it in the future

I like the stainless for corrosion resistance especially since it will be exposed to weather and galvanic effects from the dissimilar metals (I assume the alt body is aluminum)

but in aircraft construction stainless hardware is generally not approved for structural use, something to do with unreliable heat treating IIRC but this could well be a thing of the past (airplanes still use magnetos after all   LOL)

maybe use grade 8's   (that is what the blades are attached with on the AirX) they also recomend some anticorrosion coating -- I see if I can find the product

[Windpower]

This is the stuff SWWP recomends for corrosion protection


http://www.tefgel.com.au/