Stepper motor gen

[fungus]

I moved the stepper motor gen into its new location last week. Unfortunately the only place I could really mount it is just above roof level on a slope so there is quite a bit of turbulance. It makes about 5w and is tied into the pre-existing solar LED lighting system. Old bed posts were used for the tower; they slot together and are reasonably big (38mm OD), it is mounted about 15' up from the ground. There is a video of it here; http://www.reenergy.co.uk/images/MPG_0008.MPG

Pics;





There is more information on my website; http://www.reenergy.co.uk/steppergen.php

[willib]

fungus you had some nice wind that day

[richhagen]

I've had one on my roof now for well over a year, probably two, but I would have to look.  I've taken it down a couple of periods to check on the bearings and such.  They seem to hold up fairly well as there are no brushes, just the bearings to wear out.  Rich

[dinges]

Maybe he did and used a high-speed camera to freeze the image of the rotating prop...

<Dinges grins sarcastically>

Fungus, you say you used bedposts for the mast; does that mean you have to sleep on the floor now?

Nice project. It may not be comparable to the 10 + ft axial fluxes or 7.5 hp conversions we read about in here, but you have a windgenerator flying. Something many on this board can't say they have. Me included.

Good on you!

[TomW]

Dinges;

 but you have a windgenerator flying.Something many on this board can't say they have. Me included.

I would add: Made with his own hands!

Cheers.

TomW

[fungus]

Ha. no..

It was from an old loft bed; when we moved house the cielings were too low so had to get rid of it.. saved the poles.

Still spinning away nicely; in a pretty bad location though with turbulance. One of the other poles got bent somehow and the other one was cut apart for various uses, so cant really get it much higher. I'll see how it holds up here; near the sea so may be higher corrosion.

Making progress on my ametek generator; got the blades finished and painted; got the pieces for the frame cut out and getting them welded at school...

[ghurd]

I believe it will blow up in the first good storm.  2 reasons.

Rich's blades are faster than most people think.

Not nearly enough hot glue.

Kidding.  :-)

Seriously Angus, watch them spin in a strong wind.  Frightening fast!

Big Fun!

G-

[fungus]

yeah..... scarily fast; I'd guess the top end would be about 1500rpm on these unloaded...

[ZooT]

Is that a nema 17 motor?

[fungus]

I dont think so; it was just a motor that I salvaged out of an old laser printer.