making a windmill

[pyroracing85]

I was thinking about making a wind mill for fun just to charge a light bulb or something.

Has anybody done something like this or interested in making one with me?

[MrBean]

I made a wind turbine a few years ago. It was pretty scabby, but it made 200 watts on a good day.

You can find some good info here:

http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_experiments.html

I plan on building another using the CNC. Just need some more time.

Regards Terry.....

[pyroracing85]

Originally Posted by MrBean I made a wind turbine a few years ago. It was pretty scabby, but it made 200 watts on a good day. You can find some good info here: http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_experiments.html I plan on building another using the CNC. Just need some more time. Regards Terry.....

200 watts huh what is that able to power?

[cbass]

Originally Posted by pyroracing85 200 watts huh what is that able to power?

A toothbrush...

[pyroracing85]

Originally Posted by cbass A toothbrush...

damn i was thinking about powering my new cnc mill hahah

[ynneb]

B4 you make one, is it cheaper to just buy one of these or does that deafet the purpose og building it yourself?

http://www.oatleyelectronics.com/alt...ND%20GENERATOR

The prices in this page is Australian dollars 75 cents = 1 Us dollar approx

[MrBean]

Originally Posted by pyroracing85 200 watts huh what is that able to power?

It doesn't power anything direct. It charges a battery bank at my nan's beach house. There is no mains power there. Also has some PV solar panels. Most stuff then runs from an inverter off the batteries.

Regards Terry.....

[Evodyne]

Guys,
This (wind power) is something I have an interest in. MrBean-I PM'd you earlier this evening about this same topic after seeing your site but before seeing this thread. Did I goof and not get it to you?
Here are my thoughts:
Using the CNC stuff we all know and love to build not just the guts-the alternator, mounts, and such, but to also make the blades. Either as foamies that can be glassed up, solid wood blades, or traditional spar and rib wing construction.
I was wondering if there was enough interest to start a dedicated section in the hobby area.
I've got nearly five acres of open land just south of lake Michigan and it can be quite breezy. And with the out of sight utility costs I'm ready to make my own juice.
One of the projects I have on my mind is a special "blade maker" router/mill thingy. Good for blades in the ten foot or three meter length (20 ft total rotor diameter).
There are even topics that rarely are seen that clever guys who make stuff might tackle-variable pitch hubs, etc.
Do we have enough interest to start a new category?

[MrBean]

I'd be interested in building an "open" design wind turbine. Those wishing to participate could share 3D models, G-codes and ideas. Free to use for anyone that wants to. I originally built a CNC to carve some blades, but CNC is a whole new hobby, not just a means to an end. I've kind of gotten side tracked with the CNC machine. Now I want to build another one.
So far I've not done much work on the CNC'ed turbine. I'm still ironing out problems with the CNC machine. Hopefully I'll be back to the turbine soon.

Regards Terry.....

[carlnpa]

I have some interest in these wind turbines. I'm fooling around with design concepts using the cheap 8' Harbor Freight windmill ($25 on sale) as a mule. These will run a bicycle generator around 30 watts which is about a small light bulb.

[Evodyne]

I purchased plans for Hugh Piggot's turbines and they are for a simple, rugged machine that generates usable power. See hugh's site Scoraig Wind for much more information. Here is another link with lots of theory and notes.
A good part of Piggot's plans are for a homebuilt alternator using very hi-strength magnets. Blades are hand carved.
For even simpler turbines, others use DC motors as generators and simply bolt on a decent blade. Most use hunky motors by Ametek-they are rated anywhere from 36 to 100+ volts and can output 15+ amps. These are readily availale on eBay for well under $100. A few small turbines of this type can easily handle the demands of charging a battery bank for home power use.
I like Terry's idea about an "open source" set of projects. I say set of projects as I don't see a one-size-fits-all solution. Local wind conditions and power needs will likely dictate different solutions. But his point is collaberation and idea sharing and with that we all win.
Again, is this worth a dedicated area of its own? I say yes, but there needs to be enough interest.

Lance

[fyffe555]

I like this one; http://www.ata.org.au/articles/70byosav.htm. And a stepper motor makes a surprisingly good generator as it doesn't have to turn as fast as a dc motor.