building a wind generator need advice on motor

[rhinoman]

Currently I am in the design and planning stages of building my first wind powered generator to meet my future needs for my own personal use but also as a supplementary power source for any type of shop use.

I am looking at building the generator my self using off the shelf servo motors and would like to consider using some motors from large Copiers. I have acquired at least one motor and it puts out 2 amps at 20 volts DC.

I would like to know what is the best and plentiful source of motors that can put out more current at these voltages for my project? Ideally would like the unit to put out 500 watts and be of the verticle axis type of wind generator.

Thanks

[CountZero]

A car alternator can certainly provide more current.

[martinw]

Dear rhinoman,

Can you let me know what diameter of turbine you could erect, and at what height above ground?

Thanks,

Best wishes,

Martin

[Geof]

According to my handy dandy 'Windpower Workshop' book 500 watts needs, very approximately;

44mph wind speed for a 1m dia blade.

22mph........................3m............

13mph........................4m............

Couldn't find any more numbers.

[martinw]

Dear rhinoman,

Stop! Put the brakes on!

First of all, you have GOT to work out how much wind energy there is...
1) at your zip
2) in your type of terrain (eg urban, suburban, mountain, valley etc)
3)the likely reduction in wind energy available at your site due to local obstructions, eg trees, adjacent buildings..
4) the height of your turbine hub.
5) lots more

You can probably download a wind map from the web, but be warned that these usually relate to an annual average annual windspeed at a standard height over open country. Your turbine may be at another height and in a more obscured position.

How do you relate all this to your installation.... well some very smart Danish people can advise you...

http://www.windpower.org/composite-52.htm

OK, the maths looks a bit fierce, but it isn't that hard.

At the end of all this, you may have a pretty good take on how much wind energy you have available , and you can then go about your turbine sizing and design with more confidence.

Best wishes,

Martin

[hybidder]

I played around a couple of weeks ago with an old industrial ceiling fan and an Ametek servo motor on top of a windsurfing mast. It actually worked well enough for me to order a larger set of fiberglass blades and start engineering a tower. I'll probably use multiple motors driven with timing belts at a 3 or 4 to 1 drive ratio.

Do an eBay search for Ametek motors and some of the listings will even mention their use as windgens.