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A change of blade? | 8 comments (8 topical, editorial)
Re: A change of blade? (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by CmeBREW (smke833f@hotmail.com) on Thu May 15th, 2008 at 05:57:43 PM MST
(User Info)

I wonder if he couldn't open the gap a 1/16" with steel washers and that would bring it out of stall and be better than wasting power with the resistors??
I saw the pictures of the blades previously and they look like they should be going really fast in a decent wind where his mill is placed on the tower.  It is confusing.
I wouldn't try smaller diameter or more blades myself.



Re: A change of blade? (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by Flux on Fri May 16th, 2008 at 01:12:11 AM MST
(User Info)

We need to establish that it is stall as he claims not to be cut in.

I am pretty sure it is stalled and badly so. Rather than increasing gap 1/16" I think removing one magnet rotor would more than likely be needed. That is why I suggested going for 24V.

Gap is a convenient way of tuning the cut in speed when you have it nearly right. It is safer to aim for a slightly low cut in speed so that variables in construction don't bring you above the intended figure. It is not a good idea to aim more than a bit low.

The first step is to get cut in speed right ( prop running a fair bit above intended tsr at 7mph). That puts you in the correct starting point, then if it stalls in higher winds you add line resistance. Resistance will not cure it if the cut in is too low.

Although increasing gap slightly is a safe way to start, if the gap needs to be increased much you are wasting magnet and it would be far better to reduce turns and keep the same gap.  For some reason most people will go in with far too many turns in the belief that it will give them more power and generally it does the opposite. If it is so obviously wrong they question it but I have little doubt that many are accepting a performance well below the possible because they have gone in with too many turns.

You have to get started with tsr above design so that in the low wind range you work through the peak of the prop curve. Tsr falls rapidly with load so if you start below the peak you will be doomed from the start.

In this case from the stall point of view it would stand a larger prop but if it is a good wind area the little alternator may not be able to cope with it unless the furling is very sensitive.

Going in with Hugh's 4ft prop with tsr5 would have matched this well enough. If it really is a low wind area then go bigger prop not smaller and keep 12v. For more power in better winds keep the 4ft prop and try 24v.

[ Parent ]



A change of blade? | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 editorial)

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