Well, I have a pretty basic windmill ready for the SBS Earth Day Celebration! It's the HAWT, which doesn't yet turn. I could never find out where to get pillow block bearings, and I don't want to have it turning on a solid pole because that inhibits the wire. The only way I see to make it turn effectively is to have it rotate on a pipe, because that way the wire goes down the middle and won't get twisted up by the windmill turning. Plus, if the wire got twisted, the power of the wind may well rip the wire off the motor which would remove the load from the windmill letting the blades turn very fast. In other words, it will point in only one direction, but that is okay! Since it is equipped with an alternator, it will produce power no matter what way it turns.... this is a plus for right now since it is going to be static (if the wind comes from the back, it will turn backwards).
Hopefully Earth Day will be fun!
1 comment:
Here is an email from Robert Schongalla:
"..Oh, Wendy and I did to some gardening at her rock garden near the wind machines. They have been fun to watch – each performing under very different wind conditions. The multi-pin-wheel one works frequently under low wind. The large one with the bicycle fork really took off and spun quite fast and loudly at one point. The modified Savonius (sp) spins, too. (Haven't seen the wooden one move.) Great project!!!..."
and another from Andy Lawrence, Ethan's dad:
"..Richard,
Thank you for sending me your note and links, it is great to see the
progress SBS can make when working together.
Good luck wind farming!
Have fun (not always easy)!.."
and from Ann Sauderson:
"..They look beautiful. I’d like to see them there forever…or perhaps a hundred more!..."
~Richard
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