I got started today.

[chubbytrucker01]

04.23.08

  After reading and rereading Hugh's book and learning everything I could on the otherpower site I started building my wind charger today. I spent most of my time building a jig to keep everything straight and square. It feels great to be doing something that feels right on alot of levels. Helping save money, clean energy, using renewable resources, and on and on..... It is very infectious! I started a few years ago trying to save a few bucks on electric by installing some compact fluorescents and here I am a striving conservationist building my own wind charger! Everyone who makes this site what it is keep it up you are all too awesome! I will get some pictures posted and add to my diary and I am sure I will have some questions.  

[Norm]

Okay ....waiting for pics....uh be sure they

aren't more than 640 pixels wide hmmm?

[tecker]

You've got the idea small steps in the right direction beginning with test gear. That's the only way to assure you can maintain your power base and not get stuck and frustrated . Then agin I like taking my crappy looking protoatemptykindasortalookslikemaybewillworkacons out and upgrade to a charge unit. Kinda cool go with it.

[luv2weld]

Congratulations!!!!

Glad to have you with us!!!

From what you have told us so far, it sounds like you are doing it right.

Read and re-read, and research. Once you understand what the author

is saying, it becomes very easy and simple.

The worst thing you have to overcome is your own self-doubt----

such as, "I don't know if I can carve the blades."

But you can do it. Just remember, one step at a time.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Ralph

[richhagen]

Congratulations, what are you building?  Rich

[chubbytrucker01]

I am building an eight foot hugh design right out of the book. It seems to me that alot of the questions are from people who decided to modify the plan without having prior building experience. I want to have a model of what works before I start tinkering with the design. I would like to build a 3 phase stator but since I will have the 5 phase to compare it to I would be able to do a good comparison. I realize that everyones situation is different but I feel that hughs design has alot of the bugs worked out. He has built alot more than me! I am doing the metal work first because thats what I have on hand. I have a friend who owns a fiberglass shop and he is going to get shanghied when I start to pour the stator.

    Doug

[chubbytrucker01]

Here is some more of what I have been doing. It isn't exactly renewable energy but it is utilizing energy that would not have been used. I am an over the road truck driver. I own my own truck. Well not exactly, because at $4.20 a gallon it is kinda owning me at this point. I have installed 4 Oddyssey AGM group 31 batteries in my extra tool box.



 I charge them with my alternator through a battery isolator.





 I am going to upgrade my inverter this summer to a xantrex prosine. I think that would be my best choice for a sinewave inverter cost verses reliability in the truck. They are supposed to tolerate a lot of vibration. I am running a modified sinewave 2500 watt Coleman right now and it is sufficient for what I am doing now. I plan on installing an electric air conditioner to cool the cab so I can stop idling the truck. I bought a Kubota el300 ar that has a built on tab to mount an alternator. I am probably going to use a 160 amp leece neville on it. For short periods of time like an hour or two while loading and unloading I hope to just use battery power but on longer layovers use the auxiliary engine to keep the batteries charged. I know alot of folks frown on air conditioning as being an energy hog but I have to sleep through the day pretty often and theres not much shade in truckstops. Plus you are on black asphalt with a hundred other trucks making heat. Well thanks for reading. Suggestions always appreciated.

 Doug

[chubbytrucker01]

Well after some long delays I finally got the frame welded. Here are a couple of pics.