10 replies to this topic

[tram mechanic]

Weekend in Ft. Collins, Colorado. My friends from OtherPower (http://www.otherpower.com/) have a booth and two day workshop where we're constructing a 10' wind turbine. The annual fair (http://www.sustainab...on.org/thefair/) has changed venues since I last attended in 2004 because the size and scope has expanded. Great fun.

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[tram mechanic]

more wind workshop pics

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[tram mechanic]

Stator winding. This is a 24 volt machine.

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[Andoman]

what kind of average wind speed do you need to get any usable from power one of these units?

ando

[tram mechanic]

Andoman, on Sep 21 2008, 10:08 AM, said:

what kind of average wind speed do you need to get any usable from power one of these units?

ando

this machine will hit 48 volts (it's rated voltage) at about 8 to 10 mph of wind. At that speed, it is matching the voltage of your battery bank, with a little extra. It will produce it's peak wattage (700-900+) from 12-14 mph up to about 25 mph at which time it has a passive furling system that will yaw it away from directly facing the wind and keep it from overspeeding.
More pics from sunday's workshop

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[tram mechanic]

I don't have photoshop and can't re-size my photos on the road, so I'm adding a photo with each post.

We completed the 10 footer and it sold in the auction for $1050.00.
It went to the Rocky Mtn. Sustainable Living Association.

This is Don South, from Custer, SD, with the completed blades.
Don is a retired mechanical engineer who can't seem to stop tinkering.
Reminds me of some people on this forum

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[tram mechanic]

I said it was a 48 volt machine in the last post, my bad, it's a 24 volt turbine, but it matches that voltage at about 140 rpm, which is about an 8 to 10 mph breeze.

this picture is Dan Bartmann, who owns OtherPower, in Ft. Collins, with the finished alternator

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[aug]

I noticed an Old Model A wheel in the last picture .... Has this been incorparated into the design of the wind generator? cool stuff do any of these folks have a direct website?

This post has been edited by aug: 21 September 2008 - 07:52 PM

[tram mechanic]

aug, on Sep 21 2008, 09:51 PM, said:

I noticed an Old Model A wheel in the last picture .... Has this been incorparated into the design of the wind generator? cool stuff do any of these folks have a direct website?

Aug,
The Model A wheel is used as a construction stand for the alternator prior to the blades being installed; it's not part of the design, though Dan has an old "A" pickup! http://www.otherpower.com/ is the place to start. Dan has a storefront in Ft. Collins and lives up Buckhorn canyon about an hour west, off grid. All their work is done with wind and solar and home-built hydro. I met these guys 4 years ago when I attended a homebuilt wind generator class through Solar Energy International (SEI) that was taught by scotsman Hugh Piggott (http://www.scoraigwind.com/). Hugh is the person most responsible for small scale homebuilt wind turbines, and Dan and the OtherPower crowd have "tweaked" Hugh's design slightly and continue to help Hugh with workshops.

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[Emax]

Bump.

[Callao]

I want one. A big one.