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"WindPower" generator plans | 12 comments (12 topical)

Re: "WindPower" generator plans (none / 0) (#2)
by johnjach on Mon Dec 08, 2003 at 10:41:29 AM MST

So sorry Ed, the complete website is www.lookout2000.com/windpower/

I'll look forward to your comments. Another DIY unit using an unmodified car alternator is the "Dragonfly" listed on the site list of Otherpower. What do you think of that one?

Thanks. JJ.

[ Parent ]

Re: "WindPower" generator plans (none / 0) (#3)
by ADMIN on Mon Dec 08, 2003 at 11:05:50 AM MST

The Dragonfly, to me, looks like about the best you could do with a car alternator....that's why we linked to him. He's also been in business quite a while. We've all discussed the limitations of car alternators and gearing in wind turbines here.....all I can say is that at least the Dragonfly has wood blades and a furling system. I doubt that low wind performance is very good, but at least the machine probably won't blow up. And, the builder advises scheduled maintenence. Another plus, I liked his attitude about maintenence. And it appears he mostly sells for marine users, where 20mph is fairly common....I can't think of a car alternator machine I've seen that starts up below 20 mph.

As for the WindPower machine (I first saw it on Ebay) -- sheet metal blades sound really scary to me. And there's no furling. Sounds like metal fatigue waiting to happen. Maybe OK in the mojave desert where the builder is located, but I think it would blow up here.

Nuff said.
DANF

[ Parent ]

Re: "WindPower" generator plans (none / 0) (#6)
by windstuffnow on Mon Dec 08, 2003 at 01:22:26 PM MST

I'd have to say Dan's right about the blades... I'm not real comfortable with metal blades at all. The dragonfly looks like a stout little unit. My attempts of using the alternator out of the box were less than satisfying but the modified rotor unit worked fairly well. I still prefere building my own alternator for whatever project I'm working on. I purchased the plans for the dragonfly some time ago out of curiosity but never built one.
I would say if your going to build any type of turbine use good judgement on the strength and durability of the spinning mass....

Have Fun but play safe!

Ed

Have Fun! Windstuff Ed
[ Parent ]

Re: "WindPower" generator plans (none / 0) (#8)
by desertratjack on Tue Dec 09, 2003 at 10:25:23 AM MST

A word search on Dragonfly doesn't yield anything and I don't see a site list to find "Dragonfly"......Help!

[ Parent ]

Re: "WindPower" generator plans (none / 0) (#9)
by ADMIN on Tue Dec 09, 2003 at 10:37:17 AM MST

http://dragonflypower.com/DragonBlerb.htm

[ Parent ]

Re: "WindPower" generator plans (none / 0) (#10)
by desertratjack on Wed Dec 10, 2003 at 08:33:52 AM MST

Thanyou

[ Parent ]

"WindPower" generator plans | 12 comments (12 topical)

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