Author Topic: Wheel Testbed (Read 4108 times)

vawtman · « **on:** October 14, 2007, 04:19:49 PM »

When i built the rotor for a smaller turbine i had a thought of using that to test the wheel.

Im thinkin of welding a piece of tube steel from the bottom up to the mag section and trying coil ideas.Aircore,dustcore,steel wire backing?I dont need it to be very efficient.

Maybe another brace up to the upper bearing.

When spinning at ~120rpms the mags are a blur.

Starting to look like a space probe.

Should be fun winter project.

Thanks for thoughts to improve my thoughts.

electrondady1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2007, 10:39:50 AM »

now your really getting somewhere vman.

what a great test bed.

have you got a way to spin this big boy at a specific rpm?(your cut in speed)

disaray1 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2007, 12:36:36 PM »

Come on Vman! There's only 74 days til the contest is over...dont wait until winter!

Giterdone! Looking good, by the way.

David

PS. What do you do with that big shovel thing behind the space probe?

vawtman · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:33:49 PM »

Hi Edaddy

(your cutin speed)?

I dont have one since im not going to be using batteries.

Im planning on driving water heating elements or possibly a gridtie type inverter.

I just grab a spoke and spin it.Its pretty easy to get an idea of the speed.

This is just a hobby that frustrates me.

Fun at times though.)

electrondady1 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2007, 01:55:42 PM »

about the cut in speed thing,

i remembered right after i clicked "post"

vawtman · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2007, 03:23:27 PM »

Hi David

Apparantly there isnt much competion for Volvos money.I thought vawts would pop up

from all over the world.

Ive had geared motor conversions and a dc motor over time.But it took almost a 20mph wind to start(cogging on a darrius isnt good)Lesson learned.

What else would you do with a big shovel behind a space probe other than dig it out when it gets stuck.

Thanks and the money is yours to win.

Getterdone back at ya:>}

feral air · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2007, 03:36:10 PM »

What competition? How much money?

TomW · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:11:45 PM »

The Farmer of Volvos VAWT challenge, of course.

You snooze you lose, you know.

T

feral air · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:14:02 PM »

Nevermind, I found the thread. That's not a contest, Volvo is just thumbing his nose at vawt enthusiasts.

dinges · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:26:35 PM »

Vawtman,

If it cogs that means you've done something wrong with your conversion.

I maintain that a conversion would be -the- thing for a VAWT. Without the hassle of rewinding you get very low cut-in RPM; for example, the 3hp conversion I've built (absolutely no cog in that) generates .16 V/rpm in star with its original winding; so it would cut-in at 75 RPM. Without gearing. Without cogging. But, it has some iron losses. Then again, it comes in a small waterproof package.

Don't get me wrong, I kinda like your experiment with this huge radial flux, but it's hardly practical. And with that amount of magnets one could probably build a 25 hp motorconversion and generate 10+ kW.

Here's the graph of another (small 130 W) conversion, not rewound. In a 12 V system it cuts in at about 100 RPM:

That 130 W conversion fits in the palm of my hand...

I wouldn't disclaim conversions just yet for VAWTs. In fact, the generator is probably the easy part of a VAWT. Getting the turbine right would be the hard part.

Frankly, I don't understand the constant complaints about how hard it is to build a generator for a VAWT. I'm looking at two potentially useful generators right now.

And no, I'm not going to build a VAWT around them; Ron would disapprove...

vawtman · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:30:28 PM »

Can you blame him Feral?He does have a cnote on his thumb just gotta get it before it enters.

My probe was hijacked LOL

RP · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:37:09 PM »

"before it enters". LOL :-)

TomW · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:37:10 PM »

feral;

Nevermind, I found the thread. That's not a contest, Volvo is just thumbing his nose at vawt enthusiasts.

Hehe, its like that is it?

Prove it doable and get fame and fortune where others failed utterly.

I think it is more "put up or shut up" than nose thumbing. So far, no putting up and not much shutting up, either.

You are somewhat brave diving into this conflict with no weapons but words. Volvos' been around a long time and he has built "equity" in his word and abilities. I am confident he will put up the dough. Here is your chance to prove all the anti vawt types wrong once and for all. Or more empty words may be tossed around. Your call.

But I am not getting in the middle of it.

T

dinges · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:49:29 PM »

Here's a little video to make you drool...:

(warning: 1.1 MB .mpg video)

http://www.anotherpower.com/gallery/3HP-induction-conversion/3hp_turn_lamp_001

Notice that that is a 6.3V bicycle lamp and that I'm turning it slowly using nothing but my two fingers.

There's just 7 cubic inch of magnet in that conversion too.

Regards,

Peter.

vawtman · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2007, 04:55:48 PM »

Hi Peter

What im building is a highly ineffecient motor conversion.

The 5hp i did i could spin with 2 fingers but i think powerfull neos that close to the iron easily saturate the teeth has Steven is finding.Its not a bad thing though.

My goal is to build a vawt to satisfy Ron 2kw+

I think and mentioned on a earliar post that they would work great for charging batteries if not beefed up so much.

My thoughts.

jimjjnn · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2007, 10:42:36 PM »

Looks more like Star Trek's

DS-9 space station

TomW · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2007, 10:57:29 PM »

Vawtman;

Interesting looking device. The linear speed of the mags should be good even at low rotational speeds.

If it ever gets up to high rpm you may hit a resonant harmonic frequency and rip the fabric of space / time and that might be bad for us all.

Good luck with the experimenting and beware your addiction is becoming obvious.

Cheers.

TomW

electrondady1 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2007, 08:12:18 AM »

vman,

once you get your coil holding device in place

and do your first test coil the fun will start.

i really like your wire wound return path idea.

it might be tricky to get the best kind of wire.

a few years back i was looking for wire for a different design

but was under the impression it had to be made of malleable iron and had no luck.

i know now it can be made of silicon steel.

if you are going to run water heaters, what sort of voltage are you looking for?

vawtman · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2007, 03:23:16 PM »

Edad,

Ya it will be fun because i can tinker with different configurations.

After i annealed the galvanized cable it turned to mush and is rusted now where the zinc was.GOOD

The nice thing about the 4 legged probe i can build a full stator.

I would like to get around 240v@120rpms.Not sure its feasible until i test coils.

Thanks

Not sure if you saw this 2ph idea.

CmeBREW · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2007, 05:07:34 PM »

Wow, that looks like will eventually produce some real HVAC. You better wear RUBBER shoes to be safe! You're gonna have alot of 'switching'and wiring options to play with. Keep working at it little by little and one fine day you can see the sparks fly! (in a good, controlled way I mean)

electrondady1 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2007, 05:17:49 PM »

i think it's perfectly feasible .

it depends completely on what gauge of wire and how many turns.

i think your selection of two phase is right on.

your pretty much building the same alt. as i need to.

please work out all the bugs ha ha !

vawtman · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2007, 06:13:36 PM »

Hi Brew

If i do happen to electrocute myself.

Cant think of a better way to go.

Thanks for your precautionary measures.

Go get Volvos money and have fun doing it.

Remember this is just a hobby thats fun sometimes.

CmeBREW · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2007, 06:05:22 PM »

I may try. I don't think I can do it by his date though. But I have been concentrating on smaller less noticable "better-looking" vawts as you know. I would rather have two 50watters at 20mph that look good myself, than one bigger one that needs the cage around it and is more noticable. I may even add 12 more blades inside the center core of the 24 blade vawt later to get more power after I get the initial power ratings. I have alot of ideas and testing to do. Maybe the one I'm working on can do it. I doubt it though. Im still wrapping coils! For all practical purposes, this is my FIRST REAL stator. I am having problems but it is coming along ok. Holding the coil together from unravaling is the pain in the ars! So far I only ruin 20 percent of the coils. I don't have any of that super-glue accelerator stuff unfortunetly. I was trying a hair dryer. Not so good. -- - Other than that, yes, its a fun hobby.

vawtman · « **Reply #23 on:** October 16, 2007, 06:22:04 PM »

If i remember right from vf,s posting that would be allowed.

I admit the 8x8 isnt pretty but when people see it spin many ?s arise that i need to answer yet.

I think your vawt could do it.

Keep goin and have fun.

elvin1949 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 17, 2007, 01:02:51 AM »

Try misting with water.Should help i think.

later

Elvin

CmeBREW · « **Reply #25 on:** October 17, 2007, 06:44:14 PM »

V-man, , , obviously bigger swept area is where the REAL useful BIG power is! Don't get me wrong, I know that, we all know that. There is NO magic blade or rotor in a small, beautiful package! I'm just trying to 'break my distant neighbors in' SLOWLY over a period of a couple years--just to play it safe. I believe I am slowly getting my closest neighbor interested in renewable energy!.

What you are striving for is SERIOUS useful power. My current project is just for a little TV time. I bet I will eventually try to make one that big myself! The temptation is TOO great! So please keep doing the ground work man! Keep being patient--and don't let a giant wind destroy those big blades during testing!

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Author Topic: Wheel Testbed (Read 4108 times)