Wind Generators

[robert graham]

We were in St. Augustine a couple of weeks ago and as usual I'm at the Marina Docks checking out every boat, noticed some of the sailboats at anchor had wind turbine generators spinning in the wind....seems like such a free-energy no-brainer, just wonder why they don't all have those? And with the constant breezes look like their batteries would stay full very easily....just wondering why?

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Wind Generators

Robert, I have no actual knowledge, but I can imagine they are quite pricey. Perhaps more useful for living on board than not? I guess we'll learn together!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Wind Generators

Some have solar panels instead, and others just do without. They are pricey.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Wind Generators

bet the salt water conditions eat em up pretty quick

 

[rbh]

Re: Wind Generators

5x1000 watt windmills/generators, a steady wind and good bank of deep cycle batteries my house could get green status.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Wind Generators

and a zoning variance to install the windmill, the biggest obstacle to solar or wind energy is NIMBY

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Wind Generators

and a zoning variance to install the windmill, the biggest obstacle to solar or wind energy is NIMBY

it's illegal for an HOA to restrict a homeowner from placing solar panels on their home in CO, I can't find anything that states it applies to wind also, but I thought there was a federal law protecting green energy.

 

[angus63]

Re: Wind Generators

I can speak from current experience with installing a 70' wind turbine that the greatest hinderance I am experiencing is compliance with NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act). It will cost me as much to do an inpact study on local migratory birds and bats as it costs to erect the tower and generator. The next hurdle is local noise restriction of 35 decibel at the property line.

On Long Island most sailboats at the dock use onboard charging since shore power is part of the docking fee. Many on moorings use flexible solar mats which can stow easy. I think many see the wind turbine hard mounted as an eyesore although it is very effective to maintain batteries. I will be operating a 1200 sq ft house on campus with the turbine and solar panels I am installing (eventually).

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Wind Generators

They're not quiet either.

 

[angus63]

Re: Wind Generators

Well yeah with a population of what, 8 million souls? I can see why they don't want everyone putting up their own windmill.

The NEPA are federal requirements and village of only 2000 very affluent souls noise ordinance. New York State is actually very pro alternative power. Just difficult getting past the NEPA quals.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Wind Generators

There's a huge field of them near my parent's place north of Toronto. Maybe 30 or 40 full size mills? Driving through them is a little creepy. All those fifty foot blades swishing around over your head is a little unsettling. Not sure why. I always thought the idea was cool but closeup, not so much.

 

[joed]

Re: Wind Generators

We have a bunch of them on the north shore of Lake Erie near Port Maitland. They make a good land mark when you are out fishing.

 

[Aalbertz]

Re: Wind Generators

This is the first I have heard about NEPA. The small wind generators I see are the Rutland's, a favourite among my boat owner chums. They are cheap as chips and I bought mine: www.marlec.co.uk. Small and pretty. Don't understand the reference to "windmills", what are you milling old boy? flour? I love my wind generator it is low maintenance and keeps my beers cold. I'm thinking about getting 100W of solar as well which I can add straight on to my HRDi Regulator. (thinking of getting a bigger fridge!)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Wind Generators

If I had a sailboat with a tall mast I would make my own by using a modern alternator and have it charge 12V batteries. The same one we have in our cars that work fine at 1000 rpm.

I would use fan blades, gears and battery storage. Great reason to design your own from junkyard parts.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Wind Generators

Its more tricky than just putting a blade on an alternator. 1000 rpms is still way too fast, unless you boat in a wind tunnel, and gearing will induce too many frictional losses.

People DO rewire alternators for higher output at lower rpms, but the holy grail of DIY wind generators is to find an old DC motor out of some old piece of technology (cant remember the details of what). Something like 90-100 volts at 250RPMs or something. Unfortunately, almost impossible to find.

Next best bet is probably a drive motor out of a treadmill (Sorry Aalbertz, don't know what Im milling with that either). Generally around 90 volts, you just have to make sure you get one rated for the lowest RPMs you can get at 90 volts. I took a gamble on one, hoping for 90V/1200rpms from a surplus site with no speed listing in the description, but ended up with a 3600 RPM motor. Theres no way I can spin that fast enough to make in excess of 14 volts to charge A battery.

There are a few websites out there devoted to these projects. Lots of info. Lots of blade designs and profiles if you really wanna get in over your head. If I have time later, I'll take a screenshot of the 3D blade I designed with the intentions of cutting on the CNC milling center I run at work.

Problem was, my machine is old, and doesnt have a lot of memory, and the program would have been 30,000+ lines of code. My machine only holds about 500 lines.

 

[rbh]

Re: Wind Generators

^^^^
would a starter/generator off of a old garden tractor work?

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Wind Generators

It all comes down to what RPM's it takes to make more than 14volts.
You don't want a motor that requires a 25mph wind to spin it up, or you'll never see any gains from it.

Here's a few sites I used to get a bunch of information/options.

They're in order by how useful they were to me, from high to low.

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

http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/articles/gettingstarted.asp

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Wind/wind.htm#Basics

http://www.windynation.com/articles

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Wind Generators

I could spend up to $1000 on a super bright underwater LED array.

Or, I could build one (or two) with the stuff I have sitting around for less than $30 each. Oh wait, I did.

I'd prefer the satisfaction of doing it myself, and having money left over to buy beer with to celebrate.