Fieldlines.com || Rooftop Vawts

Front Page - [Homebrewed Electricity-- (wind) (solar) (hydro) (steam) (controls) (storage) (mechanical)] - Classifieds - Site News
Everything - Newbies - [Remote Living-- (housing) (heat) (light) (water)] - Reviews - Diaries - Our Products

Rooftop Vawts
By vawtman, Section Mechanical Posted on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 05:22:55 PM MST
Tower starting from basement .

My plan is to have twin towers mounted 2ft apart with the drive shaft mounted between them.I think I have a plan to isolate the tower from the structure.Has anyone tried this?Lightning protection ideas.

Rooftop Vawts | 12 comments (12 topical)

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by Waterfront on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 11:41:09 AM MST

If I understand you correctly, you want to build 2 vawts, connected to one drive shaft right? One Vawt might block the wind to the other one, if they're only 2 feet appart. Maybe try for one huge Vawt instead?

Also, you say you have a plan to isolate the tower from the strucure (your rooftop?) If you mount it on your roof, how can you isolate it from the roof?

Waterfront

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by vawtman on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 12:02:17 PM MST

The twin towers are more or less there for extra support and a handy way to run the drive shaft to the gen in the basement.Using rubber boot collars through the roof should work and cutting a 4x4 section of basement floor and pouring a new footing isolated from existing.The turbine is big and mounted on 2 8in poles now next to the house.

[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by richhagen on Mon Jan 09, 2006 at 07:07:39 PM MST

I am guessing you are trying for a pretty good sized vawt. I would also guess that space prevents you from building a second struction for the vawt so that is why you would build it through your house. I hope you succeed, but I would be concerned about vibration transfer to the building in spite of efforts to separately support the vawt and isolate it. Your insurance agent might not like the idea much. It will be a pretty major undertaking. Rich Hagen
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'
[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by richhagen on Mon Jan 09, 2006 at 07:10:10 PM MST

Might it be easier to modify the existing structure to meet your needs if you can leave it where it is? If you have the means to post them, I would love to see pictures of your vawt. Rich Hagen
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'
[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by vawtman on Tue Jan 10, 2006 at 03:02:19 PM MST

Rich,I was planning on sending pics once I completed the project.I know its going to be a major undertaking.There probably are no building codes for this yet and the insurance agent could have a heart attack.My goal is to complete this fall.The vawt currently is a 2 blader which going to convert to 4blades for better balance.It currently has no noise or vibration below 120 rpm.Ill send pics of the unit so far in a couple days.I didnt balance the blades yet so I thats part of it.Happy Winds and it sure would be nice to tinker with the electronics in the hot basement.

[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by wind4Reg on Fri Jan 13, 2006 at 07:24:41 AM MST

Hi vawtman, you said your current turbine is a two blader, is it a lift or drag type? Got any pics, love to see it.
thx,
wind4Reg

[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by vawtman on Fri Jan 13, 2006 at 01:02:08 PM MST

Its a lift type with curved airfoils.Tsr around 6.Ill post pics.I may be on to something with my airfoil shape.Makes a big difference with these compared to straight airfoils.

[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by Don Cackleberrycreations on Sun Jan 08, 2006 at 08:58:21 PM MST

Some what off topic
but for a small turbine has anyone considered using 12-36" ventalation turbines.
These can be readily found and spin quite easily in light breezes , in a 15mph wind they are rather difficult to stop.
No clue as to out put but a cheapy 6volt bicycle genny held against the rim of a turbine will power the light up very bright(24"will at least).
poor unedekated redneck with attitude

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by vawtman on Mon Jan 09, 2006 at 06:36:32 PM MST

Don,My first wind turbine was a 36in backward incline fan.It did good until the wind shifted slightly.I would use my ice auger to move it around the yard.You gotta start somewhere.Happy winds.

[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Don Cackleberrycreations on Tue Jan 10, 2006 at 06:06:49 PM MST

Not sure if we are talking about the same thing or not ?
By a roof or ventilation turbine I mean what is commonly refered to as a whirlybird
those used on most homes are 10 to 12 inch models and look like a spinning dome.Made of Galv. steel fins.
I cant imagine wind direction damaging one as they often survive 70mph + wind gusts from all directions. These spin on a vertical axis
The bearings are weak though and tend to squeak after a couple years.
Just trying to clairify.
poor unedekated redneck with attitude
[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by motorhead2 on Tue Jan 10, 2006 at 06:24:20 PM MST

Don I was just refering to my early days with that comment.The turbine will have as swept area of about 350 whirlybirds.Read back a bit.Hows your project going?
Mark
[ Parent ]

Re: Rooftop Vawts (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by arqzunin on Tue Feb 13, 2007 at 02:18:02 PM MST

maybe a little too late. The best way to get balance and probably fewer vivration is by making a tripod. not one large, but 3 small size.
about lighting protection a like building system can be installed. probably the one existing on your own rooftop.
excuse my english.

Rooftop Vawts | 12 comments (12 topical)

Menu

� create account
� How to use the board
� FAQs
� search the board
� Google search the board

Login

Make a new account

Username:

Password:

Total Views

��144 Scoop users have viewed this posting.

Related Links

� Also by vawtman

You must be a registered user to post here. It's easy and free, and the link is on the upper right side of your page.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Postings are owned by the poster, but may be deleted or moved at the ADMIN's sole discretion. The Rest � 2009 Forcefield.
You can Email the board ADMIN here. PLEASE include the username you signed up with!