Wind

[bj]

     It has been 2 and a half years now, and I've learned a few things,

although, more would be better.

     Failures--the tower was a classic.  Light tower, for testing, and

not enough clamps on the guys.  Had more sections, so back up with some

improvements.  Next was a bearing.  It lasted a bit over two years, so

not too bad, and I caught it before anything else was damaged.  Last was

the tail.  A couple of years ago someone warned of the limitations of

aluminum.  They were spot on.  Tail is on the roof.

     Good stuff--ALT behaved itself well, cheap glass blades have survived

90 KPH winds (measured) with no furling.  Scary though.  

     Cost-- had the tower (free).  Bought the blades ($120).  Built the ALT so, cost was Magnet ($250) bearings ($4) wire ws free from a sympathetic local rewinder, Small welding cable ($60) and finally four

free D-8D batteries.

     It's been fun, is worthwhile, especially considering cost, now it's time to get serious.

     bj

[hiker]

so whats in the works???     :}

[bj]

     Hiker---One of the things I wanted to know was how much wind power

was available to me-here.  (lamont AB) What I now know after two years

is that there is enought wind to break cog force 5.4 days a week. (8KPH)

     That however is not charging, just turning enough to latch a small

relay.

     Peak winds during that time have exceeded 60KPH twenty seven times.

     Longest duration above 60 has been 22 hours.

     All this tells me is that there is usable power, so I am going bigger.

     I like a lot of the stuff the Dans' have been doing, so I started

with their new book.  (here in four days)  I  have enough space to build

whatever I want, so, probably about a 12 footer to start.

    Solar is fairly well proven, and we get lots of sun, but it is fairly expensive, so I will leave it until last.    

    Eventually, I would to get rid of the power pole, but that is a ways

off yet.

    bj