Author Topic: How to rig up Kellum Grip?  (Read 12947 times)

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arwenvaughan

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How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« on: August 26, 2009, 08:45:02 PM »
Quick question. What exact type of Kellum Grip do you guys use for the 10' Homebrew Power book wind turbine? There seems to be a bunch of different kinds...ones that screw to the hole in the top of the yaw bearing and ones that need to attach to a horrizontal bracket. Can you reply with pictures of how you did yours? Does the "chinese finger cuffs" part that constricts around the wire go down into the yaw bearing? I've never use one of these things before. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!


Cheers,


Arwen

« Last Edit: August 26, 2009, 08:45:02 PM by (unknown) »

fabricator

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2009, 04:55:32 PM »
I usually use the type in this link, they are quick and easy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/KELLUM-GRIP-074-01-028-STAINLESS-STEEL-MESH-1.125-1.250_W0QQitemZ380123681983QQc
mdZViewItem
« Last Edit: August 26, 2009, 04:55:32 PM by fabricator »
I aint skeerd of nuthin.......Holy Crap! What was that!!!!!
11 Miles east of Lake Michigan, Ottawa County, Robinson township, (home of the defacto residential wind ban) Michigan, USA.

arwenvaughan

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2009, 06:55:33 PM »
Ok, I have seen those, but does the wire part that constricts around the wire go down into the yaw bearing? Or, does it screw on with the wire part sticking up out of the yaw bearing. I know this is silly but I just don't get it. Do you have a picture?
« Last Edit: August 26, 2009, 06:55:33 PM by arwenvaughan »

Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2009, 07:23:12 PM »
The screw fitting goes upward and anchors to something sturdy on the mill (like a washer sitting on top of the yaw bearing or welded to the mill assembly, or a fitting on the bottom of a piece of conduit that sticks out the bottom of the hole in the yaw bearing).  The metal weave points toward the ground.


The metal weave is like a Chinese finger trap.  Pushing the cable into it and from there through the screw fitting opens the weave so the cable slips freely.  Pulling on the end of the cable sticking out of the weave tightens the weave's grip so it holds and supports the cable.

« Last Edit: August 26, 2009, 07:23:12 PM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »

arwenvaughan

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2009, 08:11:44 PM »
Thanks Lightning Rod!


I see. So the metal weave needs to point down to keep it tight on the cable. Then the kellum grip will keep the cable from twisting or pulling on the connectors to the stator as the portion of the cable below the kellum grip twists. So you don't actually screw the kellum grip directly to the 3/4 inch hole in the top cap of the yaw bearing?


I would love to see some pictures of ways people have done this. I guess I need to weld something above the yaw bearing to screw the grip to and let the metal weave hang down into the yaw bearing hole. Sound about right?


Thanks again!!

« Last Edit: August 26, 2009, 08:11:44 PM by arwenvaughan »

frackers

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2009, 10:06:38 PM »
Here is mine


Its a block of paxolin with 3 holes drilled in it for the cable and two holes for the fixing bolts. The block is then sliced with a hacksaw into two halves splitting the cable holes and also reducing their size by the thickness of the saw blade. The block then clamps the cable nicely :-)

« Last Edit: August 26, 2009, 10:06:38 PM by frackers »
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arwenvaughan

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2009, 02:00:12 PM »
Nice! I like it. I guess theoretically a kellum grip should help releive the strain on a pendent cable a little better...have you had any problems with the cable wearing down at the block?

« Last Edit: August 27, 2009, 02:00:12 PM by arwenvaughan »

arwenvaughan

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2009, 02:02:20 PM »
Do you guys use a kellum grip at the base of the tower as well? I mean you have to do something to relieve the strain on the pendent cable and keep it from twisting at the bottom too, right?
« Last Edit: August 27, 2009, 02:02:20 PM by arwenvaughan »

TomW

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2009, 02:48:24 PM »
Mine look like this:



That ring sits on the top of the yaw bearing over the hole for the cable. It simply hangs there. I recently upgraded to a heavier jacketed cable and it was a job working it in enough to get the leads to the stator as it was about .00001 inches smaller than the hole in the ring.


I have seen lots of styles from a loop to brackets, etc for fastening the top end.I never had a problem damaging cable with trhis one and I would not use one at the bottom as I can't see any advantage myself.


Tom

« Last Edit: August 27, 2009, 02:48:24 PM by TomW »

Volvo farmer

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2009, 07:06:38 PM »
Can I hijack this thread a little and ask what kind of wire you are running down-tower? My tower is 90% complete and I need to start thinking about wire.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2009, 07:06:38 PM by Volvo farmer »
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arwenvaughan

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2009, 07:20:06 PM »
I bought a 50' 10 gauge extension cord. I hope that works because it was not cheap. I have seen a number of threads that say to do this....we will see how it works soon. Let me know if there is a cheaper / better way to get a pendant cable.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2009, 07:20:06 PM by arwenvaughan »

PatM

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2009, 08:01:43 PM »
I have used these to hang traveling cables under elevators. BTW, these cables are replaced occasionally due to open wires, mechanical damage or modernization and might be something you experimenters could use. They typically have nearly 100 stranded wires from 18 gauge to 14 gauge, color coded or numbered. I even used one to run power to my garage and welders by putting it in PVC pipe and bundling wires in groups. I guess there aren't too many high rise elevators in your neck of the woods though! Check with an elevator company if you visit a city. Some just toss them in the dumpster.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2009, 08:01:43 PM by PatM »

rossw

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2009, 09:01:43 PM »
I did mine per the photos in this thread: http://www.fieldlines.com/comments/2009/8/6/225110/6075/1#1
« Last Edit: August 31, 2009, 09:01:43 PM by rossw »

Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2009, 05:12:34 PM »
Yeppers.


You probably want the grip's mounting hole to be in something solidly welded to the turbine assembly so none of the wire flexes between the Kellum Grip and the termination.

« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 05:12:34 PM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »

Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: How to rig up Kellum Grip?
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2009, 05:15:57 PM »
I'd also be tempted to put a stopper knot in the wire just above the grip so it doesn't gradually work its way down and tighten up the pigtails.  I'd expect repeated twisting to give it an opportunity to work its way down a tad in the grip.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 05:15:57 PM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »