TomW Windfarm project.

[TomW]

I only take full size pictures so I can show detail. They violate the rules here so my photos are over here

As most folks at least over on IRC know, I have had a wind farm in the works for awhile.

I am days away from tilting up a 30 foot water pumper tower with a 10 foot original Volvo hub DanBuilt [TM] Made by the Man himself. [Waiting for a fair cure on the footings]. Weeks away from tilting up a 37 foot pipe tower with a 10 foot built to the same specs by a friend who gave it to me when he decided not to buy the rest of the system.

An overview and some other stuff in sub albums are over Here

Shows the tube I built the tower from as well as ongoing pictures of the little bit I actually accomplish.

Just a share because DanB gave me grief [ok he asked why I had not posted] for not posting my progress.

I have been working on this project for over 3 years now and it is finally starting to come together. Funny how a cluster of heart attacks and the side affects can slow a guy down. As long as the bus is still rolling its all good.

Enjoy the photos. The Gallery shows thumbnails and a brief description and you can open the full size versions to laugh at my welds and stuff.

Comments Welcomed.

Cash is even more welcomed. ;=]

Tom

[zap]

Nice job Tom and nice pics... I didn't see much of anything to laugh at and the welds look pretty good to me.

That Vesta is impressive in #0390.

[TomW]

Zap;

The Vesta is my friend Kyles' he also carved a nice set of blades that will be on this first dual rotor. Both sets actually but the White set were done to a fat at the root profile. It is near Rushford, Minnesota. It is a lot of fun to listen to it growl making power into the grid on a good windy day.

Unless I am mistaken, it is a 75KW unit that was decommissioned in California then rebuilt and rewound to 35 or 45 KW to comply with MN grid tie rules.

Thanks for the comments.

Tom

[tecker]

Very nice indeed there TW . Those tripods look like the way to go both from a stability and serviceability stand point . What is your preferred method of transferring power down the pole and dealing with the twisting connection at the head .

[TomW]

tecker;

Mine all use a tube as the final mast section so I simply use a pendant cable down the center of that. I have Kellum grips to hold the cable where it enters the tube to support it.

Twisting is not an issue since it twists up then untwists kind of naturally. On the larger turbines I use a Range plug and outlet. Then I can just unplug and untwist should it be necessary. Over a year on that conversion at 60 feet and it may have 1 full turn on the cable. At least not enough to pinch anything or be a problem. Its been flying for over a year now.

Thanks for the response.

Tom

[blueyonder]

 looks a great job your doing tom.

 yes it was time you posted as to what your doing. a wind farm now that is

 a lot of hard work for one man.

 i am finding it tough doing my own bits for wind and solar bits.

  im doing a hundred other bits at the same time. but as you say in the end thay all

 come together.

  the land in the background looks lovely . so green and fresh.

  its not sumthing you can do on a keyboard.

  its all hard work. on the scale your at well mine is just a toy compared.

   i always wanted to build a wind gen.  

   but i would think twice taking that lot on.

  but you have a great view as you go about it.

   who would have thought. toms wind farm .

   im building a 6 footer and when thats up and running . i will start on the

 8 foot h/p.   maybe one day i can say look at my wind farm.

 i only have a garden. i wish i had the ground you have. even half would be

  great.

  but i must be content with what i have.

    take it easy. john.  

[Norm]

You have a great looking place Tom. Even without

the windmills....took a lot of work.....makes me

tired and that's just the thought of taken all

those pics and organizing....LOL

[vawtman]

Hi Tom

 Sorry about your setbacks but though it all your doing a great job with the farm and the forum.

 We need to add a vawt someday that complies with your codes. :v)

[elvin1949]

 Hi TomW

 Glad to see you are getting everything to come together. It is looking good,just wish i had as much room as you have.

 Beautiful place you have,makes me green.

later

Elvin

[electronbaby]

Very nice Tom. Looks like your having a blast  :-)

Keep me posted on the drivers for the IGBT's you come up with. :-)