Author Topic: Jan 28 2008  (Read 2174 times)

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DanB

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Jan 28 2008
« on: January 27, 2008, 03:59:50 PM »


Not a lot of pictures today I'm afraid.  But we did build the smallest wind turbine we've ever made!  Pictured above is a 14 inch diameter turbine we made for New Belgium Brewing Company.  It will likely wind up as wall art and may appear in a few magazine ads for them.


We have been busy building some 10 foot turbines, finishing Toms 20 foot machine, and just starting a new 17 foot machine.  We are also all (most likely) heading to the Carribean  coast of Nicaragua in about three weeks for 10 days or so to help out the folks at BlueEnergy with some wind turbine projects.  It should be quite an adventure.  Neither George or I have ever traveled abroad - I have not been on an airplane in over 25 years!


There are several new web pages on otherpower.com and we've been trying to update the site some over the last couple weeks (not nearly done with that project yet).



There is a new page about the 17 foot wind turbines here: http://otherpower.com/new17page1.shtml.



Rich wrote a new page about his power system here:http://otherpower.com/richsystem.shtml.


I wrote a guide about wind power basics over a year ago.  We edited that and updated it and put it on our site here: http://otherpower.com/bottom_line.shtml


And there are some other new pages in the works.  Mostly fun as usual and we're looking forward to upcoming adventure!

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 03:59:50 PM by (unknown) »
If I ever figure out what's in the box then maybe I can think outside of it.

DamonHD

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2008, 09:44:59 AM »
Hi Dan,


Your 'Bottom Line' write-up is great.


The proofreader in me spotted a 'withing' in the text!


Rgds


Damon

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 09:44:59 AM by DamonHD »
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Old F

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2008, 10:00:05 AM »
Thanks Dan for the up date


I think The bottom line should be required reading for all members


I feel a lot of people have unrealistic ideas of what can be done. An what it takes to get there

The Bottom line should help clear some things up


Many thanks till your better paid


Old F

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 10:00:05 AM by Old F »
Having so much fun it should be illegal

gotwind2

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2008, 12:17:42 PM »
Hi Dan.


Nice looking 'mini turbine' - I would be impressed if it generated some power :)


I have seen 3 watts @ 20 m.p.h out of the 12" diameter one I made.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/7/8/8505/43179


I have also linked to your 'The bottom line' article on my forum.

http://gotwind.forumco.com/topic~TOPIC_ID~492.asp


Great write up, a must read for all.


Ben.

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 12:17:42 PM by gotwind2 »

terry5732

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2008, 03:38:45 PM »
Did they pay for the mini in brew?
« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 03:38:45 PM by terry5732 »

Volvo farmer

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2008, 06:06:12 PM »
Nice page on Rich's system.


I noticed the last sentence said the system was not big enough to run large power tools. I know you guys like your lathes and welders up there, but I run both a table saw and circular saw and even a homebrew air compressor with 1/2 HP washing machine motor (very occasionally though), with a much smaller system.


So maybe it depends on what your definition of large is. :-)

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 06:06:12 PM by Volvo farmer »
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SparWeb

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2008, 07:01:34 PM »
Dan,

While you're adding stuff to the site...


I wrote a how-it-works manual for the axial flux alternator last year, and since then quite a few people have expressed interest, either in reproducing it on their sites, or simply for their own education.


http://www.sparweb.ca/AXIAL_FLUX_HowItWorks_V1a.pdf


Converting the document to HTML is possible, I know how to do so myself, but I've avoided doing so because it would be time consuming.  However, considering the "gap" in the FAQ page that this might fill, if you want to use it, I'm willing to convert it.


Just say the word.

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 07:01:34 PM by SparWeb »
No one believes the theory except the one who developed it. Everyone believes the experiment except the one who ran it.
System spec: 135w BP multicrystalline panels, Xantrex C40, DIY 10ft (3m) diameter wind turbine, Tri-Star TS60, 800AH x 24V AGM Battery, Xantrex SW4024
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Captain

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2008, 07:58:43 PM »
Volvo Farmer,  you make a valid point.  I do often run my circular saw and other tools.  I think I will rewrite that page to reflect that.  I found myself quickly adding something at the end to emphasize that this is not a LARGE system.  Thanks for the input and hope your tower collection is coming along well.

Rich
« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 07:58:43 PM by Captain »

TomW

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2008, 08:42:30 PM »
Dan;


Nice set of pages. Should be considered required reading. Lots of good information and pictures. If someone reads those and can't figure it more or less out maybe they shouldn't be building large elevated objects.

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 08:42:30 PM by TomW »

Volvo farmer

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2008, 09:51:27 PM »
Email sent


Sig picture removed until further notice.

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 09:51:27 PM by Volvo farmer »
Less bark, more wag.

TomW

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2008, 09:52:44 PM »
Ya Ya favoritism at its finest.


True justice would be blind, however.


What, me worry?


Darned fine pages linked in the story. Cute little turbine.


TomW

« Last Edit: January 27, 2008, 09:52:44 PM by TomW »

Boss

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2008, 10:39:50 AM »
Excellent thanks

One possible update to Rich's page


I have a few more images from that day raising your tower if you want them Rich.

« Last Edit: January 28, 2008, 10:39:50 AM by Boss »
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richhagen

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2008, 12:51:20 PM »
Hi Captain, Those look like old Siemens SM55 or similar panels.  I have several like those as well.  How did the glass get broken on the two panels?  


I have two older Arco Panels from a batch I purchased, which had broken glass and a 20 Watt Sunwize panel that all arrived with broken glass.  I have been storing them on the hopes that one day I will get around to taking them out of their frames and picking off all of the broken cubes of glass and then ordering a sheet of EVA and some tempered glass to put them back on, but I have never gotten around to it and don't know if I ever will, or even if it would work and hold up if I did.  


Thus far, none of my panels have broken in service.  I have managed to build up my stock to 35 panels mounted on the roofs of several buildings here to date.  I tend to worry more about theft or vandalism, but I was just curious as to what happened to your two panels.  Rich  

« Last Edit: January 28, 2008, 12:51:20 PM by richhagen »
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Captain

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2008, 08:03:03 AM »
Hello Rich,

   It is rather embarrassing, but I had set the panels up hastily and improperly.  The situation actually needs to still be dealt with.   I had set up the panels to lean back and hold themselves there with gravity without building a frame.  One night during a large windstorm the panels blew over and those two panels happened to land on a couple of large rocks.   Boy did I kick myself.   When I replace the broken panels I will build a frame that certainly holds them in place during those windy nights.  

« Last Edit: January 31, 2008, 08:03:03 AM by Captain »

DamonHD

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2008, 10:41:38 AM »
Hi,


I know that not everyone here is a fan of thin-film, but my UniSolar panel has now blown over twice in strong winds (I simply have it propped up against a wall) and seems none the worse for the experience.


It has no glass to break.


Rgds


Damon

« Last Edit: January 31, 2008, 10:41:38 AM by DamonHD »
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richhagen

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Re: Jan 28 2008
« Reply #15 on: February 02, 2008, 02:33:35 AM »
Wow, that's a bummer, I would have been kicking myself too.  I dropped one without it breaking (on accident), and Ghurd had posted about one blowing over in a gust of wind.  I've so far, never managed to break one myself, but it's probably just a matter of time.  That tempered glass is tough stuff, but a bit funny.  Broken porcelain like from the top of spark plugs knocked against it will break it with almost no force, where you would just about break your hand before breaking it if you tried to punch it.  

I've been using angle iron, just welding a square frame and drilling holes to match the panels.  Some I have made from those common old bed frames.  You could make a base out of angle iron as well and weight it down or anchor it, and I know you've got friends with welders.  Rich  
« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 02:33:35 AM by richhagen »
A Joule saved is a Joule made!