I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor
would be most suitable.

I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...ps/csd-csw.pdf

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

On 10 Oct, 18:02, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery.

Flog it on eBay, spend the income on a copy of Piggott's book and a
box of rare-earth magnets.

On 10 Oct, 18:02, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor
would be most suitable.

I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...r_pumps/csd-cs...

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

For charging a 12V battery, I'd have thought a car alternator *along
with the rectifier diodes and voltage regulation circuitry*, would be
the most suitable.

However, there's still a lot of work in *safely* mounting the blades
(i.e. well above the height anyone could reach into the blades) and
alternator at the top of a pole, and suitable arrangements to keep it
turned into the wind - and making it safe in storm conditions.

On 11/10/2010 6:29 a.m., wrote:
On 10 Oct, 18:02, wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor
would be most suitable.

I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...r_pumps/csd-cs...

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

For charging a 12V battery, I'd have thought a car alternator *along
with the rectifier diodes and voltage regulation circuitry*, would be
the most suitable.

Almost a no-brainer.

On 10 Oct, 18:02, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor
would be most suitable.

I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...r_pumps/csd-cs...

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

I'm sorry if this sounds a bit abrasive, but for your own good I'm not
going to tell you, on the basis that if you don't know the answer
yourself, you shouldn't actually be playing with this - you just don't
have enough basis knowledge to be setting up something which is
potentially dangerous - go with the Ebay suggestion.

Rob

robgraham wrote in news:039896be-b8b3-4b82-
:


I'm sorry if this sounds a bit abrasive, but for your own good I'm not
going to tell you, on the basis that if you don't know the answer
yourself, you shouldn't actually be playing with this - you just don't
have enough basis knowledge to be setting up something which is
potentially dangerous - go with the Ebay suggestion.

"Dangerous"?!? God - you should see some of the other hobby pursuits I've
"played with" over the past 50 years! Now if I had said I was trying to
build a flying machine out of timber offcuts or something, then I'd have
said your response was probably wise enough.

Al

On Oct 10, 10:44*pm, "AL_n" wrote:
robgraham wrote in news:039896be-b8b3-4b82-
:


I'm sorry if this sounds a bit abrasive, but for your own good I'm not
going to tell you, on the basis that if you don't know the answer
yourself, you shouldn't actually be playing with this - you just don't
have enough basis knowledge to be setting up something which is
potentially dangerous - go with the Ebay suggestion.

"Dangerous"?!? God - you should see some of the other hobby pursuits I've
"played with" over the past 50 years! Now if I had said I was trying to
build a flying machine out of timber offcuts or something, then I'd have
said your response was probably wise enough.

Al




Spin the motor shaft & see if you get power out of it. Also see if it
runs round easily or has a friction problem. It sounds like youre
looking for a cheap solution, car alternators fit that, though they do
lose power in the energised field winding.

Don't forget a brake mechanism too, on occasion a turbine will need to
be stopped and kept stopped.


NT

" wrote in news:a094f77c-2768-46dd-871e-
:

For charging a 12V battery, I'd have thought a car alternator *along
with the rectifier diodes and voltage regulation circuitry*, would be
the most suitable.


I would have thought so too. However, for some reason, the folks I've heard
of who build small wind turbines, always seem to use motors. I've never
heard of anyone using car alternators. Perhaps there is a reason for that.
Treadmill motors seem to be one of the favourites, for some reason.

However, there's still a lot of work in *safely* mounting the blades
(i.e. well above the height anyone could reach into the blades) and
alternator at the top of a pole, and suitable arrangements to keep it
turned into the wind - and making it safe in storm conditions.

I'm aware of all that, thanks - I was just asking about a suitable
generator/dynamo that I might be able to obtain cheaply.

Al

Andy Dingley wrote in
:

I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind turbine for charging a 12v battery.

Flog it on eBay, spend the income on a copy of Piggott's book

I was thinking about buying that book. I was hoping to avoid spending
actual cash on this experiment though!

Al

Tabby wrote in
:

On Oct 10, 10:44*pm, "AL_n" wrote:
robgraham wrote in
news:039896be-b8b3-4b82-
:



Spin the motor shaft & see if you get power out of it. Also see if it
runs round easily or has a friction problem. It sounds like youre
looking for a cheap solution, car alternators fit that, though they do
lose power in the energised field winding.

Don't forget a brake mechanism too, on occasion a turbine will need to
be stopped and kept stopped.


NT


I put a volt meter accross the live and neutral pins of the pump's mains
plug. Spinning the motor by hand, I got nothing but a 0.00 volts reading.
Meter was set to DC volts.

Al

John Rumm wrote in
o.uk:


Many (most) appliances have "universal" brushed motors that will run AC
or DC. They are usually more noisy, spin up fast etc. Most DIY power
tools for example.

I wondered if an electric drill might work. If so, I have an old one that
could be employed. I must try connecting my volt meter accross the plug
pins and see if it produces volts when spun by hand.


Al

On 10 Oct 2010 21:55:27 GMT, AL_n wrote:

I've never heard of anyone using car alternators. Perhaps there is a
reason for that.

I think it's because to get anything useful out of 'em they have to
spin quite fast. To get the required RPM from a relatively slow
turbine you need to bung in a gear box which introduces losses and
IIRC costs you torque on the high speed output. ie it might be
spinning fast enough but you can stop it with your fingers...

I'm not sure if they are self exciting either, this isn't a problem
in a car as you have the cars battery.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Oct 11, 6:02 am, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo.

In NZ we have a washing machine manufacturer who invented a"smart
drive" motor. These are available second hand for about $10 and are
used for wind generators.
Google [smart drive wind generator]

On 10 Oct,
"AL_n" wrote:

I put a volt meter accross the live and neutral pins of the pump's mains
plug. Spinning the motor by hand, I got nothing but a 0.00 volts reading.
Meter was set to DC volts.

/If/ it gives out /anything/ it will be AC.

--
B Thumbs
Change lycos to yahoo to reply

On 10 Oct, 22:58, "AL_n" wrote:
I was thinking about buying that book. I was hoping to avoid spending
actual cash on this experiment though!

Well then for starters, web search for the American bunch using Volvo
240 hubs

You need to buy magnets and enamelled copper wire. A good workshop and
scrapstore might provide the rest.

On 10 Oct, 22:44, "AL_n" wrote:

"Dangerous"?!? God - you should see some of the other hobby pursuits I've
"played with" over the past 50 years! Now if I had said I was trying to
build a flying machine out of timber offcuts or something, then I'd have
said your response was probably wise enough.

What's the difference between a wind turbine and an aircraft
propellor?

People don't stand under their aircraft propellors.

AL_n wrote:

Andy Dingley wrote in
:

I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind turbine for charging a 12v battery.

Flog it on eBay, spend the income on a copy of Piggott's book

I was thinking about buying that book. I was hoping to avoid spending
actual cash on this experiment though!

http://www.reuk.co.uk/blueEnergy-DIY...-Generator.htm
http://www.reuk.co.uk/DIY-2kW-Wind-Turbine.htm
http://www.reuk.co.uk/How-I-Built-A-Wind-Turbine.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVP50uk5Juk

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "AL_n"
saying something like:

I would have thought so too. However, for some reason, the folks I've heard
of who build small wind turbines, always seem to use motors. I've never
heard of anyone using car alternators. Perhaps there is a reason for that.

Alternators aren't much good at low speeds and low power. They really
come into their own when attached to an engine, however.
It's possible to bugger around and use PMs in an alternator casing,
replacing the field windings to really improve them, but it's a lot of
buggering around. For that much buggering around, you'd be as well to
copy one of Piggot's designs.

Matty F wrote in
:

On Oct 11, 6:02 am, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a
suitable motor to use as the generator/dynamo.

In NZ we have a washing machine manufacturer who invented a"smart
drive" motor. These are available second hand for about $10 and are
used for wind generators.
Google [smart drive wind generator]


Hi there, Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Yes, I have seen a video or two
of projects using those motors. I gather they need rewiring in some way to
make them suitable. I wonder if there are other motors/generators/dynamos,
in other everyday appliances that don't need any internal modification..

Al

wrote in :


I put a volt meter accross the live and neutral pins of the pump's
mains plug. Spinning the motor by hand, I got nothing but a 0.00
volts reading. Meter was set to DC volts.

/If/ it gives out /anything/ it will be AC.

OK - thanks. I dried the AC setting, but again got zilch. That's a pity,
because if it had worked, the water pump would have had particular
advantages - in particular, its waterproof housing, making it totally
weatherproof.

Al

Grimly Curmudgeon wrote in
:

I would have thought so too. However, for some reason, the folks I've
heard of who build small wind turbines, always seem to use motors.
I've never heard of anyone using car alternators. Perhaps there is a
reason for that.

Alternators aren't much good at low speeds and low power. They really
come into their own when attached to an engine, however.
It's possible to bugger around and use PMs in an alternator casing,
replacing the field windings to really improve them, but it's a lot of
buggering around. For that much buggering around, you'd be as well to
copy one of Piggot's designs.

I agree, that this might be the most pragmatic way to proceed. However my
goal was to spend £0.00 on this project. Also, I do have certain qualms
about mechanically following someone else's pre-thought-out plans. Part of
the fun and benefit of this experiment was envisaged to be in the learning
curve, e.g., what I discover during the trial and error process and through
exchanging ideas with live human beings (such as yourself). By following
this route, there's a chance I/we might actually stumble accross some new
angle or idea that Hugh Piggott didn't think of. But at the end of the day,
I might fall into line, sheep-like, and buy one of Mr.Piggot's books.

Al

On 11/10/2010 9:39 a.m., Gib Bogle wrote:

Almost a no-brainer.

Not such a no-brainer, apparently.

Andy Dingley wrote in news:b3d467e8-ef2a-4c0b-
:

Volvo
240 hubs

Thanks for the suggestion. That looks like an interesting option. However,
due to limited available time, I was hoping to avoid stator-building and
coil-winding. My hope was that I could visit a scrapyard or recycling
center and come away with a ready-made generator of some kind, salvaged
from a kitchen appliance, vehicle, or whatever.

I'm not looking to win any awards for the most efficient home-made wind
turbine; I just want to lash together something that will keep a 6v or 12v
battery charged up.

If I'm still enthralled by this field of pursuit after that, I might embark
on a bigger & better Mark II, perhaps with self-built rotor & stator,
special magnets and so-on.


Al

On 10 Oct, 18:02, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor
would be most suitable.

I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...r_pumps/csd-cs...

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

As some-one else has said with such limited technical knowledge as
you have, you are on to a no-goer.
There is no such thing as a DC motor/generator, they all run on AC.
Some have mechanical inverters/rectifiers fitted called commutators.
All rotating electrical machines will either generate or can be run
as a motor.
There are several different principles, you need to get read up if
you're going to dabble.
If you're going to mess with a wind turbine, you really need an
efficient motor/ generator as so little energy is available to start
with.
You need to get well read up on current wind turbine design, there is
no point re-inventing the wheel. There's no excuse these days, there
is a wealth of information on the internet.

On 11 Oct, 07:00, "AL_n" wrote:
Grimly Curmudgeon wrote :

I would have thought so too. However, for some reason, the folks I've
heard of who build small wind turbines, always seem to use motors.
I've never heard of anyone using car alternators. Perhaps there is a
reason for that.

Alternators aren't much good at low speeds and low power. They really
come into their own when attached to an engine, however.
It's possible to bugger around and use PMs in an alternator casing,
replacing the field windings to really improve them, but it's a lot of
buggering around. For that much buggering around, you'd be as well to
copy one of Piggot's designs.

I agree, that this might be the most pragmatic way to proceed. However my
goal was to spend £0.00 on this project. Also, I do have certain qualms
about mechanically following someone else's pre-thought-out plans. Part of
the fun and benefit of this experiment was envisaged to be in the learning
curve, e.g., what I discover during the trial and error process and through
exchanging ideas with live human beings (such as yourself). By following
this route, there's a chance I/we might actually stumble accross some new
angle or idea that Hugh Piggott didn't think of. But at the end of the day,
I might fall into line, sheep-like, and buy one of Mr.Piggot's books.

Al

New ideas are arrived at by standing on the shoulders of one's
predecessors.
You need to well understand current technology.

On Oct 11, 6:23 pm, "AL_n" wrote:
Matty F wrote :

On Oct 11, 6:02 am, "AL_n" wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a
suitable motor to use as the generator/dynamo.

In NZ we have a washing machine manufacturer who invented a"smart
drive" motor. These are available second hand for about $10 and are
used for wind generators.
Google [smart drive wind generator]

Hi there, Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Yes, I have seen a video or two
of projects using those motors. I gather they need rewiring in some way to
make them suitable. I wonder if there are other motors/generators/dynamos,
in other everyday appliances that don't need any internal modification..

I understand that the Smartdrive motor in its original form is hard to
start turning in a light wind, so the laminations can be ground to
make it easier to turn. Or more simply and better - just use two of
them with the laminations offset.
I wouldn't bother with trying to make it efficient. I like the idea of
half oil drums mounted vertically, with the motor on the ground.

Matty F wrote in news:2228cb8a-ffab-401b-991c-
:

I wouldn't bother with trying to make it efficient. I like the idea of
half oil drums mounted vertically, with the motor on the ground.

There are some interesting vertical-axis ideas around. At least you don't
have to worry about wind direction that way. It might prove to be a lot
more noisy though.

Al

harry wrote in news:50012bf3-948b-4018-96d0-
:

As some-one else has said with such limited technical knowledge as
you have, you are on to a no-goer. There is no such thing as a DC
motor/generator, they all run on AC.

I think you're wrong. I've seen a treadmill motor that was definitely a DC
motor. Sure, you plug the treadmill onto the AC mains, but the motor is a
DC motor. It said so on the spec plate.

Al

harry wrote in news:1e5984f2-8f85-450e-9367-
:

New ideas are arrived at by standing on the shoulders of one's
predecessors.

Fair comment.

Al

On 11 Oct, 08:17, harry wrote:

All rotating *electrical machines will either generate or can be run
as a motor.

Induction motors can't, which means the majority of AC motors.

AL_n wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor
would be most suitable.


why?

you want a simple motor with lots of winds on it.

All the bits you need are probably available from the electric model
aircraft community.

BUT until we know what windspeed, prop diameter/pitch etc etc its hard
to settle on what exactly is needed.




I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...ps/csd-csw.pdf

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

Gib Bogle wrote:
On 11/10/2010 6:29 a.m., wrote:
On 10 Oct, 18:02, wrote:
I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind
turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a suitable motor
to use
as the generator/dynamo. From what I've gleaned, I gather a 240v DC
motor
would be most suitable.

I have a Clarke submersible water pump (model CSE1A) which I could
butcher,
but is the motor AC or DC? Nothing in the specs tells me. Here is a
manual:

http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manua...r_pumps/csd-cs...

I suspect it may be an AC motor, since it is only required to run at a
fixed speed...

If so, which common domstic appliances do contain 240v DC motors?

Many thanks,

Al

For charging a 12V battery, I'd have thought a car alternator *along
with the rectifier diodes and voltage regulation circuitry*, would be
the most suitable.

Almost a no-brainer.

You need a lot of power to swing an alternator at 2000 RPM plus.

AL_n wrote:
" wrote in news:a094f77c-2768-46dd-871e-
:

For charging a 12V battery, I'd have thought a car alternator *along
with the rectifier diodes and voltage regulation circuitry*, would be
the most suitable.


I would have thought so too. However, for some reason, the folks I've heard
of who build small wind turbines, always seem to use motors. I've never
heard of anyone using car alternators. Perhaps there is a reason for that.
Treadmill motors seem to be one of the favourites, for some reason.

However, there's still a lot of work in *safely* mounting the blades
(i.e. well above the height anyone could reach into the blades) and
alternator at the top of a pole, and suitable arrangements to keep it
turned into the wind - and making it safe in storm conditions.

I'm aware of all that, thanks - I was just asking about a suitable
generator/dynamo that I might be able to obtain cheaply.


A motor is a dynamo ..more or less.

Al

On 11 Oct, 07:49, "AL_n" wrote:

Thanks for the suggestion. That looks like an interesting option. However,
due to limited available time, I was hoping to avoid stator-building and
coil-winding.

To achieve generation from low speeds you need lots of poles per
turbine rotation. Your choice really is to either build a multi-pole
generator, or to take an existing generator and run it at high speed,
which would require you to build a gearbox. Given the ease of building
permanent magnet generators these days, they're the favoured choice
for a reliable small-mid wind generator that doesn't involve repeated
pole climbing.

You can use a car alternator instead. This has good wide speed range
performance, although not quite so good at low speed as permanent
magnet. There are several reasons why car alternators are a better
choice than re-worked electric motors, particularly owing to their
rotor design. They're also cheap, widespread and the spares position
is good. Although it's possible to run them higher than 12V, this
requires you to understand how to rework their regulators and even
then they won't go up to a usefully high voltage (24V is probaby
tops).

If I had the time to go for another complicated turbine, I'd be
looking at vertical axis and something like a QR5.

On Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:21:02 -0700, Andy Dingley wrote:

On 10 Oct, 22:58, "AL_n" wrote:
I was thinking about buying that book. I was hoping to avoid spending
actual cash on this experiment though!

Well then for starters, web search for the American bunch using Volvo
240 hubs

Or pretty much any hub from a vehicle with disc brakes, really. There's
also some guy making blades using cut-down bits of (4", IIRC) PVC pipe
and he claims that they're effective - I'd be interested in comments from
anyone who's tried that.

You need to buy magnets and enamelled copper wire. A good workshop and
scrapstore might provide the rest.

re. wire, you could try companies who make use of the stuff. There's a
company in town here who throw out a surprising amount (particularly when
they cock up an order), but they won't deal with private individuals -
but other companies might be better.

cheers

Jules

On 11 Oct, 15:41, Jules Richardson
wrote:

Well then for starters, web search for the American bunch using Volvo
240 hubs

Or pretty much any hub from a vehicle with disc brakes, really.

The right MacPherson strut gives you a swivel too.

The Volov people also have a pretty good website that's worth a look.

There's
also some guy making blades using cut-down bits of (4", IIRC) PVC pipe
and he claims that they're effective - I'd be interested in comments from
anyone who's tried that.

There's someone who needs to look at the difference between an impulse
and a reaction turbine.


Wind turbines are dead easy. Wind turbines on poles are much harder.
Making a practical power source is as much about getting a design that
works usefully on an affordable pole, rather than some poorly
efficient solid disk or Savonius rotor, then trying to find a pole
that can reliably support it and its varying side loads.

The Natural Philosopher wrote in
:

I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a
suitable motor to use as the generator/dynamo. From what I've
gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor would be most suitable.


why?

you want a simple motor with lots of winds on it.

All the bits you need are probably available from the electric model
aircraft community.

BUT until we know what windspeed, prop diameter/pitch etc etc its hard
to settle on what exactly is needed.




Average wind speed where I am is about 11 knots, and often reaches 30
knots. Each blade of my 3-blade aircraft propeller is 30" long.

Al

AL_n wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote in
:

I stumbled accross what appears to be a 3-blade microlite aircraft
propellor, and have ideas of using this in the construction of a
small wind turbine for charging a 12v battery. I'm looking for a
suitable motor to use as the generator/dynamo. From what I've
gleaned, I gather a 240v DC motor would be most suitable.

why?

you want a simple motor with lots of winds on it.

All the bits you need are probably available from the electric model
aircraft community.

BUT until we know what windspeed, prop diameter/pitch etc etc its hard
to settle on what exactly is needed.




Average wind speed where I am is about 11 knots, and often reaches 30
knots. Each blade of my 3-blade aircraft propeller is 30" long.

Al


Right. So you might be able to pull a bhp or so out of that lot.

I'd start with a 3 phase outrunner motor then, which with a 3 phase
bridge might be pushing out up to 20-30V at a quite a few amps.

http://www.giantcod.co.uk/epower-bl5...-p-402690.html

for example.

At 2000 RPM that might deliver 10-12v

And a few tens of amps.

How you arrange to switch that into usable charging current for a
battery, is another matter.


Id tend to use something like this

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/AnyVolt3.htm

set to about 14v with a bit of a current limiting resistors in it for
SERIOUSLY flat batteries.


Of course, this os not cheap nor cobbled together from arbitrary scrap
parts. But then, neither is a nuclear power station ;-)

On 11 Oct, 12:00, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

All the bits you need are probably available from the electric model
aircraft community.

Too small and requiring too high a spindle speed.

On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:52:06 -0700, Andy Dingley wrote:

On 11 Oct, 15:41, Jules Richardson
wrote:

Well then for starters, web search for the American bunch using Volvo
240 hubs

Or pretty much any hub from a vehicle with disc brakes, really.

The right MacPherson strut gives you a swivel too.

For sure - but I doubt that Volvo's the only way to go; I'd suggest to
anyone embarking on such a project to scope out their local yards (if
such a thing's allowed any more - I know my local one don't allow people
to just wander in to see what they have) as there are probably all sorts
of things that might be suitable.

(I wonder how suitable a second bearing assembly, mounted vertically,
would be for providing the swivel functionality, given that they're
designed to operate with the weight of a car on them? It'd be relatively
easy to pull both bearing assemblies from a junk car, anyway)

The Volov people also have a pretty good website that's worth a look.

Have a URL handy? If not, I'll take a look around... sounds interesting.

There's
also some guy making blades using cut-down bits of (4", IIRC) PVC pipe
and he claims that they're effective - I'd be interested in comments
from anyone who's tried that.

There's someone who needs to look at the difference between an impulse
and a reaction turbine.

It certainly seemed a bit 'odd' given the kind of shape I'd expect for a
[wind] turbine blade.

Wind turbines are dead easy. Wind turbines on poles are much harder.
Making a practical power source is as much about getting a design that
works usefully on an affordable pole, rather than some poorly efficient
solid disk or Savonius rotor, then trying to find a pole that can
reliably support it and its varying side loads.

Thankfully I have a barn here that's about 40' to the roof-line, so I'd
"just" mount any turbine that I tried to build up there, I think; it
wouldn't need much of a pole beyond what was necessary for the blades to
clear the ridge. For others though, yes I can appreciate that the
supporting structure is a major part of the problem.

cheers

Jules