Howdy All:
I am just getting started in this arena and I am going to start out supplying power for my shop lights in the garage. So my power needs are small to begin with.
What really got me started was that I found out I could get used batteries from where I work. Most of the time they are 55AH or 32AH batteries that are about 1 year old. So at the moment I have six 55AH and four 32AH Gell Cell, 12V batteries. I have read a lot on this site and it doesn't appear I will really have much problem putting these different size batteries in parallel. The batteries are free, so why not use them! Now I just need a way to recharge them.
At the moment I have an 800 watt inverter, a small 6 watt solar panel and a bunch of other supplies. I can get all this going but what I really need is someone in my area that is familiar with building their own wind turbine.
So I am looking for someone, within a reasonable distance, that would be willing to show me what they have done and give me some pointers on putting one together.
To start out with I would like to make something in the 4 or 5 foot diameter range. I am also not sure what I can get away with in my area so I will start with something that won't be that high or obvious. I live on the top of a nice sloping hill with an unobstructed view to the west. So I get some pretty good wind up here.
I live in Swartz Creek Michigan, just west of Flint.
If anyone would like to share some of their knowledge, please drop me an e-mail.
headchef AT thebar-b-que DOT us
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
