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.
Glenn [ Parent ]
