Dan,
Thank you very much on your observations. Will double check the clearance between the tail vane and the blades when the tail frame is against the stop.
This was my approach for estimating the furling wind speed based on rotor thrust:
Diameter 2.8m
Windspeed 8.0m/s or 18 mph
Rotor Thurst = Diameter^2 * Windspeed^2 / 24
= 2.8^2 * 8^2 / 24
= 20.9 kg
Your practical experience is priceless compared to an equation and a static measurement. What rotor force do you recommend to begin furling for a safe conservative wind speed of 18 mph? Once the turbine is in air, it will be trial and error adjustment of course. Just don't want to error towards high wind furl. I originally thought it would be in lower winds.
Also, is the above calculation not representative of real life because of gyroscopic forces?
Thanks again for bringing these points to my attention.
Boondocker