VAWT driveplate

[(unknown)]

I completed drive plate. There is a 3 to 1 ratio between the large drive pulley and the pulley attached the PMA.  It still needs some refinement but over all I am very pleased with the results. The configuration will allow adjustments to be made to the length of the VAWT blade support arms if more torque is needed.

I still have to install a spring between the two idle pulleys to maintain belt tension over time.  Spinning the main drive wheel by hand under different loads has provided me with a better understanding of the torque required to produce higher currents. A stanchion  and restraining arm was added to prevent flexing of the PMA center shaft.    

[ghurd]

Wholly Ding Dang!

It took me a while to figure out what I was looking at, but I am impressed with the workmanship.

Very nice!

G-

[KilroyOdin]

Thanks, I purchased a small CNC router.  It took some time to learn the software but it is starting to pay off in the amount of time saved in during fabrication.

[zeusmorg]

 I know you've already built this, but It would be better just to have 1 idler pulley on the slack side of the belt. 2 tend to add "pulsations" in the mix, creating greater strains on the components.

[KilroyOdin]

Hi, thanks for the input. What is the slack side of the belt?

[zeusmorg]

 Well If your drive is pulling the load that would be the tensioned side, the slack is the side not loaded, If it is clockwise load top drive bottom, then it would be the left side. The idea is to eliminate the extra slack lessening slippage and vibration.

 There will always be some pulsation, but putting an idler on the tensioned side tends to increase it.

[KilroyOdin]

Super, thanks. Less parts needed for fabrication.