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The "Urbine"
By rotornuts, Section Wind Posted on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 03:27:17 PM MST
Urban turbines?

I saw the term "Urbine" used to describe the Lagerway 50/750 installed in Toronto on the waterfront and kinda liked the term. So I'm living in Edmonton now and I don't see anywhere to erect a turbine but in school yards and parks, so I'm thinking(because I can't see myself finding a new hobby) maybe I could interest a community organisation or school in letting me put up a small demonstration unit for public educaction and awareness. Need a site to keep going!!! I realize I'd have to do a proper job of it and likely couldn't erect one of my silly ideas but anything is better than nothing. Maybe Ed's small educational turbine would be a good start, maybe on a small pole with some led's.
Any ideas???
Nuts

The "Urbine" | 9 comments (9 topical)

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by rotornuts on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 09:32:56 AM MST

My current yard is about 5 times the area of the box on my pickup truck! My former yard was about 60 acres. It'll take awhile but I'm going to have to develope a new way of thinking about things.

Btw. I find it interesting how we all think of cities as impersonal spaces but I now realize that in rural BC I could do whatever I wanted without talking to my nieghbours, but now I'm going to have to reach out to my surrounding community to acomplish my goals. Hmmm.

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by picmacmillan on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 10:46:36 AM MST

rotor nuts, is it illegal in toronto for sure?...just wondering if that is a blanket law, across the country, or what?...it is intersting that we can have cell phone towers and casino spot lights blazing the skyline, but a 25' tower that provides your home with a necessity is shunned from being acceptable?..i am currently in windsor, with tower base cemented in, and wonder when i put this 23' tower up, how long it will be before the long arm of the law shows up?..pickster
http://www.frecklefarmloghomes.com

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by Big All on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 10:59:56 AM MST

A grow-op, methlab or crackhouse would probably last longer than your tower.
(and be more profitable;)

I'm currently trying to figure out where to put a test stand in my yard where it will attract the least attention.

[ Parent ]

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by rotornuts on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 11:20:19 AM MST

I'm not sure of the legality aspect here in Edmonton but our temporary accomadation for the next couple years will be rented. the yard here is wayyyy too small for anything but a birdbath so I'm thinking I may have better luck out in the community somewhere. Besides could be an interesting experience to see the reaction of folks who would never have considered wind power. I am after all living in the oil capital of Canada. Lots of minds to work on.

Nuts

[ Parent ]

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by ghurd on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 12:42:44 PM MST

Now you can see why I mostly try for 'little'.

You can do a little tiny one, a 85AH battery (or smaller), and a couple 12V CFLs.
There is a hole where the dryer goes out, or where the cable comes in, or somewhere.

A 400w inverter will run 'stuff' when the grid is down.
Plug the TV to the inverter, turn it on.
Then go outside to be concerned with all you neighbors.

It is worth it just to see there faces when YOUR TV is on at night.
That flickering blue from your window in a world of darkness...
It is worth it.

G-
Ghurd.info
[ Parent ]

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by Norm on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:41:13 AM MST

30 or so years ago when the power went off I
used a car battery and a headlight shining on the
kitchen ceiling.
I got a big kick out of a couple neighbors
coming over wanting to know why I was the only
one that had power.
( :>) Norm.
( :>) Norm
[ Parent ]

Re: The "Urbine" (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by rotornuts on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 11:25:59 AM MST

Big All, I'm thinking rather than fight to see what I can do in my own yard maybe I can find a welcome host for a very small demo unit to use as an educational tool for urban RE possibilities. I don't "need" the power just love this stuff so I'll do almost anything to keep it going. If I can generate some interest it may open some new possibilities for bigger units in the future. Who knows maybe even some funds?

Nuts

[ Parent ]

Dramatic Demonstrations! (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Norm on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:54:04 AM MST

Try a small 'maple seed' rotor on a 'hobby'
motor ...hook whatever output to some leds...could
lead to a really dramatic demonstration of the
power all around us!
Maybe a calculator counter to show the
rpms?
( :>) Norm.

( :>) Norm
[ Parent ]

Re: Dramatic Demonstrations! (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by rotornuts on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 11:47:11 AM MST

Hey norm. Back to BC next week to get my tools and other shop stuff. When I get back I'm going to try a 2 foot diameter maple blade on a small radial flux alt. If it works well I might just stick it on the fence during the day to see if anyone even notices.

[ Parent ]

The "Urbine" | 9 comments (9 topical)

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