the Otherpower.com Discussion Board || Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section

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

Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section
By wooferhound, Section Site News Posted on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 10:24:35 PM MST
What exactly are the Frequenly Asked Questions

I think that the FAQs area could use some more content, and maybe we could all contribute to writing some new articles for it. I was thinking that we could take on a new question every week or so. I will present the questions that need to be worked on and we can all make comments that give new users good information to get them started good. Then I will consolidate all the information into a FAQ on the subject that we can agree on.
So , What exactly are the Frequently Asked Questions ?
I can think of a few but there are many more that you guys could help me remember.
What about 2 or more smaller turbines instead of one big one ?
Can I use 2 stators between 3 magnet rotors ?
Is this motor good for making power ?
Can I use 2 props on the same wind genny ?
Which ones can you remember . . .
Now lets get started. I wrote a FAQ last month asking "How can I get the longest life from my batteries?". I thought I did a pretty good job on the article but later I realized that I didn't say anything about keeping the plates covered or what kind of water to use to refill the batteries. You can review the article here
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2008/4/22/142649/842
and leave comments in this thread about what I can add to that FAQ.
I will then edit the battery FAQ until it has all the information you guys contribute. Keep in mind that this information needs to be written for a Newbie and should only contain the most essential facts.

W o o f -={(

Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section | 36 comments (36 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by bob g on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 05:26:32 PM MST
(User Info)

put together an outline or a flowchart, then populate it with topics
for folks to right articles to.

that is how i would do it :)

fer instance

1. batteries types
a. flooded lead acid
b. vrla
c. nickel cad
d. edison cells

2. battery charging
a. charging regimes
b. charger types
c.

3. alternator/generator types
a. wound field
b. brake drum pm
c. axial disc pm
d. motor conversions

4. wind charger blades types
a. vertical machines
b. horizontal machines
c. other

5. blade manufacture
a. pvc
b. carved wooden blades
c. etc

etc.
etc.

...

this sort of thing, so that it is easy to follow, and gives folks that have info
an indication where what they have might fit in and be of use.

just a thought

bob g

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#26)
by spinningmagnets (velmis1450bc(at)aol(dot)com) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 04:03:36 PM MST
(User Info)

Why is 3 blades on a prop popular? I've seen 2,4,5,& 6.
What is stall?
What is TSR, and how would changing it affect my wind-gen?
Why 3-phase? Ive seen one-ph, and 7-ph somewhere.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of connecting my stator coil configuration in Star/Wye, or Delta?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of 12, 24, and 48-volts?
Whats a dump load, and do I need one?
What is furling? How does it work, and why is it important?
What is cogging?

Ummmmm...

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by blueyonder (windwoodgood at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 05:32:49 PM MST
(User Info)

after killing my batteries and wondering how i did it.
its time to get a A in battery care .
i got sum new ones i need to take care of them.
with all then links woofer has posted i will need shooting if i kill another
battery . ain't that right woofer.
its a ill wind that dos no good

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by projectpower (christopherstickells@gmail.com) on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 11:44:02 PM MST
(User Info) ballattavouge.com

sounds like a good idea to me
christopher

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 12:31:32 AM MST
(User Info)

Hi Woofer,

Great idea.

Not long ago, I set about putting my thoughts together about what I had learned about PMG's (mostly from this site). What started as a list of features turned into a "white paper" on the axial flug alternator. Perhaps it can serve as a FAQ, or sew the seed for something else.

The old file seems to be corrupt on the server, here. I'll upload a fresh copy and you tell me if it would help. It's currently in PDF format, but if you want, I can just give you the original image and text files. I will post a link when I get it uploaded again.

I also have a few things I could say about towers: it's a tightrope walk, telling people what does and doesn't work, yet not being overly encouraging, lest someone go out and do something unsafe.
Steven Fahey

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 09:21:07 AM MST
(User Info)

I put it here:
http://www3.telus.net/faheydumas/Wind_Turbine/AXIAL_FLUX_HowItWorks_V1a.pdf

Steven Fahey
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 11:57:58 AM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

Yes, I have seen your excellent PDF before.
I was planning to write a FAQ called "Read This First" that has most of the information contained in that file. It would be more elementary tho so as not to overwhelm the newbies. But your PDF should be linked in the article for the more serious beginners.

That will be the next FAQ that we will work on.
W o o f -={(

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 12:13:41 PM MST
(User Info)

If you send me an e-mail, I can replay with the image files and text. Edit as you please, I don't claim ownership on the document seeing how I copied many of the images from this site, and the text relies heavily on postings on this forum, too.
Steven Fahey
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by ghurd on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 12:34:56 PM MST
(User Info)

If you don't want to claim ownership, I will!
(that's a joke)

I am beginng to see the newbie FAQ as 3 levels...
Knows nothing, not even the terms
Knows enough to ask decent questions.
Knows a little more than that.

"Deep" papers are too much, overwhelming.
FEMM stuff is confusing even if the very basics are understood.
Bridges and fets can be too much for someone who made a 10' mill on an 80' tower, from scratch.

FAQs is a huge task.
G-

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by David HK on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 01:24:39 AM MST
(User Info)

Excellent idea Wooferhound and Bob G.

Simple stuff such as batteries - types, how to wire in series, parallel, and mixed parallel and series, battery maintenance equipment i.e. DMM, analogue meter, SG measurements. What should should check for at the moment of purchasing batteries.
Fork lift truck batteries, telephone exchange batteries,the whole gammut as basic information would be useful for new and seasoned people on this site and save much repetition.

A sort of basic ready reference base that would not neet to be frequently updated once its assembled.

Problem is it could be work for those who may not want it.

David HK

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by electrondady1 on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 06:05:06 AM MST
(User Info)

some thing that explains a magnetic circuit
and why an iron rotor(s) is necessary.

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 12:02:44 PM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

Thats a good one even though it's not actually a Frequently asked Question
more like a frequently uninformed Posting.

Very much like the "I am making my stator from aluminum" style uninformed post.
W o o f -={(

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by TheCasualTraveler (a.miklos@yahoo.com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 07:18:25 AM MST
(User Info) http://thecasualtraveler.com/wind.htm

If I understand, although you ask where to start you have decided on Batteries and the discussion here is then what basic facts should be included in a battery FAQ. A logical choice because batteries are probably the most common denominator except for wire. Or do I have it backward and this thread is for topics, and battery stuff goes in the thread you linked?

Anyway, my input then from a newcomers point of view will be a question. I have read many times about how important it is not to draw the battery voltage down too low, 12.2 is often mentioned, but is this load or no load conditions? I can be running something off my bank and see the voltage under load drop down below 12 volts but as soon as I disconnect the load, in just 30 seconds or so the voltage is back above 12.2
So I think a good FAQ would be how to measure this low voltage threshold assuming your inverter doesn't do it for you. Sorry if it was already covered.

Good luck Woof and thanks for taking the time for this.

Andy

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 12:56:40 PM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

I'll answer your question here
A battery will give you 3 different readings depending on how it is being used at the time you take the reading . . .
High when being charged
Medium when at rest
Low when being loaded
I have seen an excellent chart showing what the voltage should read for all of these readings but after 30 minutes I couldn't find it.

W o o f -={(

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#19)
by DanG on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 07:46:49 AM MST
(User Info)

http://www.fieldlines.com/comments/2008/5/7/15112/17790/1#1

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#20)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 08:26:34 AM MST
(User Info)

The best introduction to batteries (lead-acid) I have seen in years of research has been the Home Power magazine article from August/Sept 1993. It has typical charging and discharging charts, where you can estimate the appropriate voltage based on the amount of current, in proportion to the size of the battery bank.
If the charts sound daunting at first, read the article and then it will make sense.

I think I got it from the Home Power magazine website's archive. If it can't be found there, anyone who wants me to e-mail the PDF, just drop me a line.

It would also make a good addition to the links in this site's FAQ's.

Steven Fahey
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#21)
by finnsawyer on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 08:40:53 AM MST
(User Info)

I'd like to see a "Results" section. Like, in this is what I did, and this is how it performed. It could be broken down into subsections such as Alternators, Blade Assemblies, Towers, Controllers, Dumps, ect. This site is, after all, supposedly geared to actual projects.

Obviously, this would require clearer thinking than is usually exhibited here. And if I'm sounding cranky, it's because I am. I getting tired of the stupid mistakes. Unities for units? My Gawd!
GeoM
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#23)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 09:09:57 AM MST
(User Info)

...And if I'm sounding cranky... Do you need a "Grouch" section?

Hey, whadya think the Diaries section is for? We love showing off our stuff.

If you think you're in a cranky mood, type whatever you want, then delete the message instead of posting it. I find it helpful sometimes, just to get myself in the right frame of mind. It's all just a bunch of light and dark glowing points on an electron gun, anyway.
Steven Fahey
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#28)
by finnsawyer on Wed May 28th, 2008 at 08:25:09 AM MST
(User Info)

Unfortunately, those light and dark glowing points enter peoples minds and can cause no end of confusion. You are skewering the messenger and ignoring the message. In any case I probably should have let it go, as it detracted from the important part of the comment, namely the proposed "Results" Section.
GeoM
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#30)
by Bruce S (bruce(dot)stahl <at>gmail (dot)(com)) on Wed May 28th, 2008 at 09:28:50 AM MST
(User Info)

GeoM;
Not to worry about the message. I got want you meant.
Most times when a results is posted, everyone is so happy for the lucky stiff; that they like to add to the discussion, whether it's in the Diaries section or anywhere else.
The gruppy part? still nothing to worry about, most have been there too.
A results section would probably end up looking like the diary section anyway.
The over paid editors would have to be even more on their toes about straying from the post.
Then they'd need a raise.

Cheers
Bruce S

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#22)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 08:56:49 AM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

That's It , Thank You so much !!

W o o f -={(

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#29)
by SparWeb (sparweb at ANTISPAM_hotmail_com) on Wed May 28th, 2008 at 09:28:17 AM MST
(User Info)

http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/4378/Battery_Charging_HomePowerMag.pdf
Steven Fahey
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by GeeMac (foxunc@telus.net) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 07:58:22 AM MST
(User Info)

A Great Idea Woofer.

I think that it should be to send the beginners for 'easy to follow steps' for whatever they are trying to do. The questions already asked are a good place to start for addressing a beginner's needs.
GeeMac

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by elvin1949 (elvin1949@yahoo.com) on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 01:33:52 PM MST
(User Info)

Woof
Don't forget how and where to put FUSE'S.
Don't want a newbie burning down the house.

later
Elvin

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#16)
by bob g on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 01:36:45 PM MST
(User Info)

maybe an outline of the various topics, with supporting articles written under each topic,, "with" links to information that is perhaps more deeply explained.

i like ghurds thinking in re to a multi tier

maybe the topics could have a simple writeup that a true newbie could make some sense of, followed by a group of links to elementary explanations, then follow with some intermediate article with intermediate level links, then cap it with some higher level article and links to support that level.

it would take a bit to set up, but there are many good folks on here, each chipping away at their favorite topic,, probably wouldn't take to long to see a real resource emerge in my opinion.

i know we all have favorite topics and area's of interest, along with dozens if not hundreds of links to all sort of info, from manufactures to white papers, diy'er reports to research center reports etc.

personally i think it would be worth the effort :)

i am working on an index of info from my own collection, nothing irritates me more than to come up with a question that i know i have the infomation on but can't remember which book, link or whatever the answer is located in or at.

at least i know the answer is in my collection, to a newbie they don't even have that.

bob g

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#17)
by dnix71 (yahoo.com 'dnix71') on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 06:51:43 PM MST
(User Info)

A glossary of abbreviations would be nice. I have 5 Harbor Freight 45 watt solar kits, but it took me a while to realize that's "HF" used in a couple of posts.

I live in an urban area so I can't put up a wind turbine big enough to do any good, but it would still be nice to know the difference between a VAWT and an HAWT. Actually an egg beater turbine might not be noticed, since it doesn't look like a "windmill."

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by frontpage32 on Mon May 26th, 2008 at 07:25:45 PM MST
(User Info)

ok all that sounds good but i don't think i have seen a comprehensive list of the meaning of abreviations .. like mmf etc. newbie's love those to help them

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#24)
by Bruce S (bruce(dot)stahl <at>gmail (dot)(com)) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 10:03:49 AM MST
(User Info)

Woof ;
I think this is a great idea !! Possibly use the tier system for the very basic stuff, then once basics are done move to higher complexity concerns.

One I would love to see at the top would be Ohm's law.

As important as the batteries are, even the people I help around my neighborhood still needed the very basic idea of Ohm's law so they wouldn't be deluded into what someone else ( salesman) told them.

Just a thought.
Bruce S

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#25)
by CmeBREW (smke833f@hotmail.com) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 01:35:26 PM MST
(User Info)

Sounds like a GREAT idea Woof. Improving the FAQ section should reduce the number of redundant beginner questions in the Newbie section. And if someone asks one of these simple, common FAQ , then we can just direct them to the appropriate section.

I appreciate what you did with the Battery FAQ. That should help a lot for new ones to do research and answer their own question(s) most of the time.

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#27)
by KurtJ (kurt) on Tue May 27th, 2008 at 04:43:58 PM MST
(User Info) kurtj

Great idea! As a newbie these are some of the questions and thoughts I had when I first encountered this site. I have since found the answer to most (lots of good reading)

·    Suggested reading list (found lots of suggestions here and there but a one stop list would be pretty cool)
·    Simple wiring diagrams of things like, How to wire an 8-wire stepper to charge batteries (I've seen 5 and 6 wire examples but no 8 wire)
·    formula's, Best ways to take meaningful multi-meter readings, Ohm's law and other short answer type of stuff. (Yep, its all here just got to read and find it)
·    Pictures/diagrams of topic at hand (some of us need more help than others!)
·    Explanations of symbols used in diagrams (i.e. the arrow in the diode symbol means that the band goes on this side of the circuit. yes I soldered a 1N4001 in backwards on my first attempt)
·    When using a small DC motor as a wind generator is there any rule of thumb regarding matching shaft diameter and. prop size/weight? And does having a bearing/bushing have any effect other than longevity

Would it make sense to have a "please read this before posting" section? To cover the aluminum rotor,... can I get a patent,.... perpetual motion.. etc, etc type of questions. It would give them/us/newbies a place to debunk any preconceived myths we have running around in our heads

I am slowly getting out of the "Don't not even know,... what I don't know" stage in this sickness and am progressing to the "Knows enough to hush up and read" level. Maybe one day I'll get to the "Knows enough to ask decent questions" but until then I'll be having way too much fun lighting a handful of LED's and charging a bunch of 6 volt, 9 amp hr SLA batteries to run my TV at night. I haven't had this much fun since I was a kid!!! Hope they never impose that "sin tax" ;O)

The biggest untapped source of energy...Congress, If we could harness all the hot air and BS they produce we would no longer be dependant on foreign oil!

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#31)
by TomG on Wed May 28th, 2008 at 02:56:52 PM MST
(User Info)

Ye Gods, if even 5% of the knowledge on this board were to be compiled into a FAQ, what a resource it would be!

Got to be worth trying, even if just to reduce the newbie-strain on the more experienced members...

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#32)
by wooferhound (tim((NoSpamAt))wooferhound.com) on Wed May 28th, 2008 at 03:17:01 PM MST
(User Info) http://wooferhound.com

I saw another one today . . .
Why can't I power my whole house with a 700 watt panel ?

W o o f -={(

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#33)
by Bruce S (bruce(dot)stahl <at>gmail (dot)(com)) on Wed May 28th, 2008 at 03:30:23 PM MST
(User Info)

Woof? did you point them to the site news from 1April2008 :-OOO
Bruce S

[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#34)
by Lumberjack on Sat May 31st, 2008 at 12:42:53 PM MST
(User Info)

Faq's = old school
Wiki = new school

Theres nothing wrong with old school but....a well done wiki is a lot more usefull.

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#35)
by TomW on Sat May 31st, 2008 at 04:14:17 PM MST
(User Info)

Maybe we can get Fungus to set up a site on the Drupal server he has access to.

I think it does "Wiki like" stuff.

What I dislike about Wiki is anyone can change stuff. Be they moron or genius.

Lots of talk about this over the years but little action.

Lots of us are stuck in "old ways" around here. We figure knowledge should require some personal initiative.

Fact is, as long as laziness is rewarded with answers [as it often is here], nobody will expend any effort to find it for themselves. Just part of the fast food mentality infecting the world.

Having said that, I think it is an excellent idea to warehouse some information where that one in a thousand person with desire to learn by personal effort will use it.

I tried to do some definitions of common terms long ago but this group cannot agree on which way "up" is so I gave up defending every word and nobody seems to have tried again.

Its your chance at fame and fortune, LumberJack.

Tom

"Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned."--Mark Twain
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section (3.00 / 0) (#36)
by spinningmagnets (velmis1450bc(at)aol(dot)com) on Thu Jun 12th, 2008 at 03:51:26 PM MST
(User Info)

IMHO, I believe a "picture sizing" tutorial would be useful (PC + Mac). I have seen pics of PMA's, PMM's, and AFAIK, a pic is worth a kilo-word when a noob (like me) is trying to convey an idea. FWIW, I have never read IIRC, and as always, YMMV (JK!)

"When cryptography is outlawed, only 47DE6FD will have 1D10E3A4D41E" -Backyard Skunkworks @ 4hv.org

Lets write some articles for the FAQs Section | 36 comments (36 topical, 0 editorial)

Menu

� create account
� How to use the board
� FAQs
� search the board
� Google search the board
� Old Otherpower Board

Login

Make a new account

Username:

Password:

Total Views

��194 Scoop users have viewed this posting.

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 � 2003 Forcefield.
You can Email the board ADMIN here. PLEASE include the username you signed up with!