Author Topic: Grandsons wind mill update  (Read 3346 times)

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Basil

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Grandsons wind mill update
« on: December 29, 2009, 07:01:50 AM »
The little mill I made for my grandson is now flying in Kentucky at the base.

 http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2009/12/3/8490/60043

I was a little mean to Devin by going to this site and pulled up the plane and

told him that some one built it for his grandson. He went : WOW Does he sell them.

I told him no. He made it just for his grandson only.

The next day my son came in from over seas so it was time to pull it out.

Devin was playing in his room and did not see us put it up in the back yard. It was

just about dark and he or his little sisters had not spotted it.

We had to go out and called them. ( It was cold ) He spotted it fast and froze.

He just stood there and looked up at it for a long time. Then started asking questions.

I told him about the led's and how it works. How it was made and so on.

Now get this. Ever time we go up there the wind is blowing like crazy.

This time just enough to turn it but not to make it light up. Two days later

my son called and said they took it out in the wind and it worked prefect.

It was worth the time and work just to see him stand there and look at it.

I best be looking for more VCR's.

The problem is now orders have been placed. I have 8 grand children.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 07:01:50 AM by (unknown) »

wooferhound

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2009, 07:52:16 AM »
Too Cool ! !

Which VCR motor are you using ?
« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 07:52:16 AM by wooferhound »

Basil

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2009, 08:21:32 AM »
Hay Wooferhound

Loved the led wright up you did. Hope the 120 volt cf

bulb will come in handed sometime. It works.


I think in the first store I say the head motor.

Thats why the big coffee can. I am going to made

one with the load motor. I want to see how small

I can make a mill and light it up.

« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 08:21:32 AM by Basil »

ghurd

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2009, 09:15:52 AM »
Have you considered stepper motors?

They may not start quite as easy, but they make a lot of voltage at low RPM.


And you have mail.

G-

« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 09:15:52 AM by ghurd »
www.ghurd.info<<<-----Information on my Controller

Airstream

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2009, 09:48:24 AM »
In WWII the Brits called a mission involving only fighters a 'Rhubarb" but if it included any bombers its then a "Circus" ... So... Throw in a tilt rotor or a B-52 and have a family circus?


http://www.helis.com/h/v22an.gif

« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 09:48:24 AM by Airstream »

taylorp035

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2009, 10:06:14 AM »
With my brushless motor out of a tape drive (pretty close to vcr motors), I was getting 12v at 2200 rpm, and the motor had 18 coils, 3 phases, all wired in series after it was rectified.  Lighting some LED's would be easy.  The motor was probably only rated for 5 watts (not that I didn't rewire it for a brushless rc controller and pumped over 500 watts into it  :)  ).


As for the easiness factor, all you needed was 12 diodes, or 3 bridge rectifiers.

« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 10:06:14 AM by taylorp035 »

Goahead

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2009, 12:10:40 PM »
Computer printers have 3 motors.


Get an old printer, break it apart and you will get some fine motors.


From an old HP printer i got 3 step motors.

Power supply from printer was 48 volts,so imagine how many leds you can lit with just a turn on those three-phase motors.


I gave those motors to kids of a friend for making a small project for school.


Man...where they suprise to see a led light...


Goahead

« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 12:10:40 PM by Goahead »

Basil

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2009, 12:29:37 PM »
Thanks for the respones Guys.

Printers OK

Lot's of old one out there.

I'll be looking.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 12:29:37 PM by Basil »

Bruce S

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2009, 01:08:57 PM »
Basil;

 Mind having a 52 year old Grandson :-))


The mill is awesome, and to read the little story behind it, is just as cool.


Since your son is at a Base, you might have him check with quarter-master about "dumped" DS3 units and see if the old 300 baud line printers are "out back" grab the print heads and the motors that drive. These puppies are gems. BUT most people can't get to these printers. They were mostly used with DEC units.

If BASE is close the Clarksville :=), then they should have a boat load of them.


Cheers!! GREAT JOB!!

Bruce S


 

« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 01:08:57 PM by Bruce S »
A kind word often goes unsaid BUT never goes unheard

Basil

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2009, 03:40:07 PM »
Thanks Bruce S

I will have my son look into that.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 03:40:07 PM by Basil »

fabricator

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2009, 05:02:18 PM »
Very cool, and please next time you talk to your son, thank him for us for the sacrifices he is making for us.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2009, 05:02:18 PM by fabricator »
I aint skeerd of nuthin.......Holy Crap! What was that!!!!!
11 Miles east of Lake Michigan, Ottawa County, Robinson township, (home of the defacto residential wind ban) Michigan, USA.

jlt

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Re: Grandsons wind mill update
« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2009, 10:51:12 AM »
You could use the timer motor out of washers and dryers. to make very small wind turbines they will light 4 red led's with a 12" 4 blade prop.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2009, 10:51:12 AM by jlt »