Lenz turbine outside...

[windstuffnow]

   After about an hour or so building a mount for the loader on the tractor I had the unit ready to go outside.  It was fairly breezy all the time I was building but never saw anything over 10 mph while I was out.  

  I took samplings over a 2 hour period totaling about 40 different readings. Here are a few...

1.  5.5 mph starts charging
   
2.  7.1 mph .26 amps at 12.8 v 3.328 w
   
3.  8.5 mph .4 amps at 12.8 v  5.12 w
   
4.  9.0 mph .44 amps at 12.8 v 5.63 w
   
5.  9.5 mph .53 amps at 12.8 v 6.78 w
   
   

  I figured out all the totals and averaged them and came out with an overall average of 39% of total or 67% of betz of total area.  

  No tubercles or anything on the wings.  I feel its good enough to build a larger unit for more tests and to see if it can be scaled up reasonably well.  I may finish this one up and put it close to the house for further monitoring and possibly other modifications later on.  For now I'm done with it... although I may play with it a bit later since its still on the tractor...

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[hvirtane]

Really good results.

What are your expectations

concerning scaling?

- Hannu

[electrondady1]

well, i think i should be able to congratulate you now ed!

.53 amps from 4sq.ft.  30 like this along my fence would make 15 amps

i'm re-inspired, thanks

[FishbonzWV]

Ed,

I've been following your trials with great interest. I've got some plastic panels that I thought would make a good Vawt but didn't want to cut them up and waste them.  These panels are 38" x 30" x 1/4" with a 3 3/4" diameter curl on one end. They look like your wings. So how big did you want to scale up and what do you think the weight limit of the wings would be? I'd love to see these put to use.

Bonz

[windstuffnow]

  Wow, pre-made wings!  What was its original use?  You could make some fine machines with that stuff.

  The weight limit would be determined by the strength of the material and structure holding it as well as the rpm.  

  The 3.75" curl would be great for a tall small diameter machine... good rpm... they'd work well in a 20 inch diameter turbine.

  I've been thinking of going to a 3ft diameter using the same alternator.   The wing (nose) diameter would need to be about 6.75" and the length would be a total (including the nose )14.6 inches long.  

  Lots of Fun !

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[FishbonzWV]

They were bumper pads off of industrial dock doors. Some had significant damage, but quite a few are in good shape. I cut a couple of panels into 6" strips and used them for blades on a TDM mill. Where are you located? If shipping isn't too expensive would you like to try a few? I can cut the wing length down to approximate size first.

[nvmike]

Windstuffnow

How does your lastest version of Lenz turbine vary from the one pictured on your homepage?

Have you made any changes to your Darrieus type with the cam?

I have tried to duplicate your Darrieus model, but add another blade, it turns but no data yet.

Of the two designs Lenz turbine and your Darrieus with the cam, which do you think will out perform the other?

Thanks, NvMike

[windstuffnow]

  Hi NvMike,

     The latest one will outperform either of the others at this point.   I haven't played with the little darrieus units in a while and no changes have been made.

     I'll be posting the updated Lenz on my site shortly.  I'm building a 3ft dia x 4 ft tall Lenz right now and should have it done by this weekend.  

     The newest version of the Lenz has no drum in the center and larger wings.  

     I sent the 3ft darrieus with a cam to a friend in canada.  He attatched a genny to it and it runs around 90 watts in a 25 mph wind.  The small one I sold on ebay and haven't heard anything about it.  I'd like to play with different variations of it but haven't had time... to many projects going...

Have Fun

.

[nvmike]

Thank you Ed.  I am looking forward to your posting.  You have a great home page.

NvMike