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Author Topic: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!  (Read 20673 times)

infringer

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I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« on: March 23, 2009, 03:06:54 AM »
Ok to start off I have:

1 slip ring harness on its way
1 ac delco 140amp alternator on the way
1 windblue Delco to PMA conversion rotor
6 5ft metal blades 3/16 thickness steel reinforced with a ring and adjustment screws on each blade to adjust the pitch.
40 ft of 2" id 2 and 1/4" od pipe which I will order soon.

Now my delima ...

My blades will be plenty heavy so the torque that I will achive from this unit should be fair.

I need suggestions on what I can use for a gear box preferably something I can buy and mount up with minamalist amounts of machining.

What gear ratio do you suggest will be sufficiant I would say I average a 12mph wind.

The gearbox is the kicker for all wind systems it seems  and with the torque this thing should put out I am guessing 2:1 may be a minamalist thing too do but 6:1 may be more fruitful.

For those of you who want a cheap slipring harness take two male ac plug ends slap them back to back and pressure fit them into two sealed bearrings use stadard automotive crimp on ends to pass the power safely down the line.

Wind turbines are the cheapest form of useable free energy today get in where you fit in.

Mark69

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2009, 03:38:54 AM »
Why dont you use a different design then the old fashion blades and such.  Look at the vertical style, much easier, less maintenance and takes up less space (probably cheaper too and draw less attention).  Find yourself a squirrel cage in an old a/c unit or blower from a heater.  You wont have to worry about wind direction either.  You can also increase the flow to the windmill by putting up "flow directors" to catch more wind.  What I mean by "flow director" is a bunch of flat pieces of metal or whatever that start out wide at end and converge at the windmill.

Mark

jacek

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2009, 03:56:21 AM »
Have you visited http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/default.asp ?
Lots of tips and helpful Aussies over there.

jacek

infringer

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2009, 01:31:58 AM »
The reason I build in this manner is to achieve a better output.

If you look at all the commercial towers that put out large amounts many of them are with blades that fall ....

I am not sure if this is because they get more torque in this manner or it kills less birds really but could it be that this method is more durable and possibly provides more output...

Please do help though I would love to know more thank you guys! For jumping in ...

I have seen the backshed's website as well... but they were not all too useful to answer my main question if I remember correct ...

GEARBOX was the main question any idea what kind of gearbox I can use????

Michelinho

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2009, 03:00:54 AM »

Hi Infringer,

Why not use 2 sprockets with the ratio you need (motorcycles sprockets) and chain drive the alternator.

Take care,

Michel

derricka

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2009, 04:00:46 AM »
Michelinho's idea is a good one. While a chain and sprocket is a little mechanically less efficient then direct gearing, it should allow you to determine the best gear ratio at low cost. Once you know the ratio, you can switch to direct gears. Also remember, the torque required by the generator or alternator varies in proportion to the electrical load connected to it,  So if I was designing a wind system, I would start with the electrical requirements, and work my way back toward the alternator, and finally the blades.

Mark69

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2009, 05:42:05 AM »
If you can find a used drill press w/i your budget, maybe a bad motor or something old, they have many different pulley sizes in the top for different gearing to control the speed of the bit.  They use belts as well so it would take less draw to spin them.  Or you can use the design style of a snowmobile, uses belts and cones, like a constant speed transmission.  This would be more expensive but is the ultimate in gearing.
Mark

Blacksmith

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2009, 06:10:40 AM »
Infringer
   I have been around a lot of windmills and wind generators and have worked on a few with my dad when I was growing up.
Some rules of thumb: 1. Any more than three blades and they start running into old air.
                                2. Dont use blades any heavier than is structuraly necessary.
     
There are others but those two should be seriously pondered over.

Blacksmith

derricka

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2009, 06:57:29 AM »
Infringer,

I noticed that your shopping list didn't include a rectifier, voltage regulator or batteries. In addition, if you want to convert the battery power to standard AC, you will also need an inverter.
While you may already have these items, I just wanted to make sure you didn't overlook them.

Paul-R

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2009, 04:06:51 PM »
I wonder how an anemometer type windmill would work - i.e. with huge cups.
http://www.sciencescope.co.uk/images/anemometer.jpg

Michelinho

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2009, 04:51:16 PM »

@Paul-R

This would be more efficient in a vertical design but it would need to be large to spin the alternator under full load.

Quote
The newest idea for harvesting the wind is nearly 900 years old. Vertical windmills, like the Wind Tower (right) from Windaus Turbines of Ontario, can crank out 50 percent more power than conventional, horizontal-mounted designs. Windaus says this is because the blades catch the wind regardless of the direction from which it blows. Although remains of foundations for vertical windmills dating to 1150 have been found in France, it is only with the advent of lightweight composites that the design has become practical. Windaus believes the inherently quiet operation of vertical turbines will also spur wider interest in wind power. For more information, go to www.windausenergy.com/contactframe.html.

Take care,

Michel


infringer

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2009, 05:22:54 AM »
Funny thing I have had a similar design in my head for a while as this company windaus or whatever...

The gearbox idea is not half bad either...

I am thinking of purchasing 3 rubbermaid trash cans cutting them in half and double stacking them bottom to bottom not 100% yet have not settled on anything yet still curious on other folks ideas ...

I really do value all the excellent input and help with my venture I am thinking the more simplistic the better!

But cheap is good as well. But I will be taking pictures and documenting the process...

Thanks a million guys keep the suggestions comming!

As far as energy storage I do have a micro grid tie unit 250watt max and batteries and charge controllers are rather easy to find as well...

Michelinho

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2009, 07:09:08 PM »
Hi Infringer,

That should be an easy design to replicate.

2round end discs, 5 discs with 3 arc slots in each and a roll of galvanized steel or aluminum flashing and a center shaft. As you slide the slotted discs on the flashing, it will shape the arc in it, then it is just a matter of securing the slotted discs to the shaft while twisting it a bit to get the spiral design.

I have about 5 projects going now but as soon as I have them running, I'll replicate a small one (24" or 30" high) just to see what kind of torque it develops. A lot easier than making the blades of a conventional windmill.

Take care,

Michel


Michelinho

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2009, 08:55:21 PM »
Re: design:

If the outside supports are say 12" wide or more, it would concentrate even more wind to the helical rotor giving it a lower starting speed and a lot more torque.

Take care,

Michel

Edit: Holes in the end and spacer discs would improve air flow.

infringer

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Re: I will be building a windturbine I need your help!
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2009, 02:45:27 AM »
Here is a model of what I was thinking for a VAWT...

I threw this together so I had a better idea of how to do this with rubbermaid trash cans or plastic 55GAL Drums...

But I am thinking on another design that may be better I will post that as soon as I get a picture drawn up something rough ...