I get occasional flack because I tell folks there has been little or no VAWT success. I usually suggested one do the research and not repeat past mistakes.
Sandia Labs did considerable research on VAWTs. If one is planning on building a VAWT and does not at least read what Sandia Labs did and what problems they encountered and how they attempted to solve them, they are probably wasting their own money. Quite possible the US government, through an agency, has already wasted a lot more money on the same thing .... and written a report on it.
At one time or another, I read many of the reports. They are not encouraging for a VAWT builder. Personally, I don't have the money to make all of the mistakes a government agency can and has. One can only surmise the VAWT advocates must be independently wealthy as they ignore the advice and bow-up like a puff-adder.
My advice to a VAWT builder would be to (after reading all possible) build what they desire. Put a 'Prony brake' on it. Get some good readings. Then come to this board and say. "I've got a device producing X torque at Y rpm. I need to design an alternator for it." They might also supply a picture to the curious and non-readers of the board. Of course, I highly recommend of one has such a device in the form of a VAWT they might consider a patent. The cost of a patent would be 'chicken feed' to one who can afford to ignore past art.
Ron Adventure is just bad planning." -- Roald Amundsen
But for a lot of the visitors to this site, a HAWT in clean wind is not an option. Most of the VAWTs we see here are in back yards, where the wind changes direction every few seconds and a HAWT will perform dismally compared to a VAWT. I've had a Lenz2 and a standard 3 blade HAWT up on the same mast for different times of the year, and for the winter months the Lenz2 out performed the HAWT, simply because it could use the turbulent winds better.
The point I was trying to make is the anti-VAWT comments on this board are not helpfull, in fact its down right depressing to read them. As soon as someone suggests they are building a VAWT they are bombarded with negative comments, not constructive comments. VAWT's have a place, they are great teachers, fun to make and cool to look at, even if they dont perform like a HAWT out in the open. Yes most of the VAWT's wont perform as well as the builder hoped, but thats the fun bit, building something and learning from the exercise.
Glenn [ Parent ]
The reason I am against VAWTs is that most people say they want electricity out of them. I have been watching this board pretty closely for a while now, and with the exception of Ed, have not seen a single reported VAWT constructed that will make more than a few watts of electricity.
My goal is to keep some new person, whose goal is making electricity they can use, from wasting a bunch of time and resources. As far as I'm concerned, VAWTs are basically vaporware. I've seen exactly one reported success on this board in all the years I have been reading.
So I would argue that perhaps the anti-VAWT comments are helpful, if given in the right circumstance. It's an open board, maybe you could speak up and give these new users a template for a successful VAWT, as you seem to have built one. Until I see some modicum of success though, I will continue to view them as vaporware.
If someone comes in here says they want a fun project, or something cool to look at, or a learning experience building a VAWT, my mouth will remain shut. However if they are looking for watts, and do not seem to understand the pitfalls, I will continue to discourage them from building a VAWT.
Volvo Farmer
May you always have success in your quest to irritate those who you despise. -Ben Goode [ Parent ]
http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/FORUM1/forum_posts.asp?TID=497&KW=lenz2 http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/photos4.asp http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/PumpControler.asp http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/FORUM1/search.asp?KW=lenz2&SM=1&SI=PT&FM=0&OB=1 http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CCfEq851cxs
The Lenz2 spent some time as a water pump, before ending up on the tower last year for several months. I think the most I ever saw was 60 watts into 12 volts. Not much, but fact is the 6 foot HAWT it replaced was making NOTHING! Watt Hours, the Lenz2 kicked butt. The Lenz was only small, 1300*1200mm. I had started to build a bigger one thats 1800*2400, but its in the list of half finished projects for now, cost of the aluminium skin was too much at the time to complete the job.
But, in Summer, when the winds are from the North, I put up the HAWT, as it works better in the clean winds. Thats my point, a VAWT has a place, and under certain conditions it can out perform a HAWT.
Bruce S [ Parent ]
a suburban niche exists and vawtes seem best suited to fill it.
there seems to be less difficulty in constructing the spinney bits than in properly matching them to an alternator.
i think that's were most novice builders run into difficulty and abandon there projects.
i think it may be helpful if we could discuss how the design of a vawt alternator might differ from the typical hawt alternators that have become so successful here.
[ Parent ]
Glenn[ Parent ]
It worked, but like I said I dont see the point of a VAWT with a tail. Was fun to make and watch, lots of moving parts though and needed to be oiled every couple of weeks. Wouldn't make another one.
