Who SELLS Blades?
By Derodeo, Section Wind Posted on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 05:08:16 AM MST
and how many to get...

Sadly, I really don't have much inclination to make my own blades. So I'm looking for websites that would allow me to buy a set of finished blades and hub - and not finding very many. A rare consensus on this board with regard to blades seems to be that aluminium blades are not the best way to go due to metal fatigue concerns. Unfortunately that rules out the otherwise very good www.tlgwindpower.com. OK, I'm fine with wood or carbon fiber or steel or whatever. There seems to be diametric viewpoints out there with regard to the optimum number of blades. There are definitely those who subscribe to the "more blades" theory (e.g. www.hydrogenappliances.com) while a place like the "Wind Gen Super Store" claim that 2 blades are optimum for nearly every combination of power output vs. wind speed. Knowing who to believe here would make my blade purchase decision much easier. Based on my still very limited knowledge and the Ametek 20VDC generator I already have, I think what I'd prefer is an air-foil type, 6 foot diameter, 3-blade design made of something other than aluminium. But it seems to find one I can buy is not that easy a task. Thanks for your advice.

Who SELLS Blades? | 17 comments (17 topical)

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#1) by kenputer on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 05:34:27 AM MST

Look Jerry blades on the board here. I have a set and for the money you wont get a better set.

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#2) by omweg on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 06:13:24 AM MST

in europe, germany I know the following manufacturer, they are expensive but I think they are of a great quality: http://www.heyde-windtechnik.de houseboats the only way in the Netherlands to escape the anti wind power governement.

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#3) by wooferhound on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 07:58:31 AM MST

Lots of blades on eBay http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&fstype=1&catr ef=C6&satitle=wind+blade&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&s adis=200&fpos=35805&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&co action=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp= W o o f -={(

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#4) by Derodeo on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 09:11:24 AM MST

eBay has been a bit of a disappointment. Lots who won't ship outside the U.S. (I'm in Canada) and most are aluminium blades. If I end up buying aluminium blades, I'll buy them from the guy at tlgwindpower. I don't expect them to last decades, just a reasonable service life. Thanks. [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#5) by ghurd on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 09:13:22 AM MST

Jerry blades. [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#6) by wpowokal on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 05:59:43 PM MST

I have a set of these on a TDM, http://www.tlgwindpower.com/quad_mm.htm  I know you have the site but it's the easiest way not to have confusion, greate little blades. You need speed not diamiter, 6' is too large in my experience. allan down under Dare to be free!

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#7) by Drives on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 06:51:30 PM MST

Try Art Randolf, his email address is elsieart@ozarkmountains.com.  He sells a 7-8 foot set of nylon blades with a couple of different hubs for a reasonable price.  Here is a story about them.  http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/4/2/16579/84511 ---------Dean----------- [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#11) by DanB on Fri Sep 30, 2005 at 10:40:20 AM MST

Yes, i would agree, I think his blades are quite appropriate for a TDM, although I would cut them down, 8' diameter is too large for a TDM.  4 - 5' diameter would be appropriate. Sometimes Art has 'blemishes' that I think he sells for less, basicly they're blades where the moulding didnt quite work out right, usually its near the tips thats' compromised, those often make nice shorter blades if he has any. [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#8) by steak2k1 on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 08:57:45 PM MST

Derodeo...with a handle like that I would expect you're in Alberta..?? I'm in Calgary and would have no problem carving/balancing a good set for ya. send me an e-mail.. stk Awwwwwwk....It's Kenner - it's FUN.!!

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#9) by RodonSaipan on Fri Sep 30, 2005 at 07:35:17 AM MST

I would like you to make a set for me to. I will never get my windgen finished with out help. Let me know the cost/charge please. rodonsaipan [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#12) by Derodeo on Fri Sep 30, 2005 at 07:59:39 PM MST

I am indeed in Alberta - Medicine Hat (though the windgen won't be - it'll be next door on my farm in Saskatchewan...) Thanks for your kind offer. However Terry at www.tlgwindpower.com, with his spirited defense of aluminum blades (his argument involves jets and space shuttles...), has convinced me that may be the way to go. [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#10) by steak2k1 on Fri Sep 30, 2005 at 10:39:54 AM MST

Rod On Saipan..the island in the Pacific I assume..?/ Send me an email as well.  let me know what you are after..and we shall see what we can do..!! (e-mail is in my header) Best rgds, stk Awwwwwwk....It's Kenner - it's FUN.!!

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#13) by rajesh on Sun Oct 02, 2005 at 04:59:06 AM MST

i have just made 8 feet wooden blades for my own turbine as per design of HUGH PIGGOT  IN very little cost. i can help you out to manufacture blades but transportation cost of such large blades would be very expensive. thanks rajesh

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#14) by pishbal on Mon Oct 03, 2005 at 12:54:32 AM MST

how about this guy from ebay? --- > http://cgi.ebay.com/3-WIND-generator-turbine-Farm-1200-watts-12-24-volt_W0QQitemZ6002342419QQcategor yZ3240QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem looks like a good blade?

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#15) by IntegEner on Thu Oct 13, 2005 at 12:57:00 PM MST

The number of blades on wind turbines, all up and down the scale, has been found to be best set at three or fewer but why this is so has always been something of a mystery. The answer is probably that blade parasitic drag is more important than is generally realized. When adding blades, more parasitic drag is added as well. Costs and weight are also factors. However, blade rotational speed also contributes to parasitic drag and in a proportion that may be as the second power, something fairly serious. It may be said in general that wind energy experimenters do not yet have a thorough appreciation of blade parasitic drag. These words are rarely seen in these discussion lists. The manufacturers of the multi-megawatt utility load turbines, however, are aware of this factor and one may see extremely thin blade profiles and shallow, even nonexistent, pitch angles out near their blade tips for this reason. If the rotor is to turn at relatively slow rotation rates then adding more blades makes sense. If it is to turn at relatively fast rates, then it doesn't. Parasitic drag is what causes the "swoosh" sound of the blades and this sound can be quite expensive if it is the source of power loss that it may very well be. See www.integener.com for some more details on this.

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#16) by IntegEner on Sun Oct 16, 2005 at 06:16:37 PM MST

Clumsy me with all my words. The tlg blades need a curved radius (rounded) leading edge. The sharp leading edge and camber-only aerodynamics is a terrific idea but suffers the problem that the blades must always, always run at a fixed TSR to the wind as governed by the load. Any deviation including that from wind turbulence causes the leading edges to flutter (depending on their thickness). Flutter destroys blades over time especially those of aluminum. A rounded leading edge would be better for this reason. The reason for the quiet operation of these tlg blades, of course, is that these blades are thin and normally have less parasitic drag. This is a strong point in their favor. AVC, "The Knucks", www.integener.com [ Parent ]

Re: Who SELLS Blades? (3.00 / 0) (#17) by aeroenergy on Thu Dec 01, 2005 at 02:38:26 AM MST

We design and manufacture blades. http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/11/28/144711/76 kind regards, Nico van Meurs Aero Energy P.O. Box 19111 Noordbrug 2522 South Africa

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