I am in the process of investigating the possibility/feasibility of building a wind generator. Please forgive the length of my message, but I have a lot of stuff running through my mind and I have no one to talk to that understands or cares. I figure the best way is to let it all out in one of these forums.
There are three reasons I want to build a wind generator:
1. I want to learn and understand:
* How much energy can be expected from different size wind generators
* If wind power is so great, why don't I see wind generators....anywhere. I ride motorcycles in Michigan for enjoyment. I have made a point to try to find someone flying a wind generator and have yet to see one.
- I have been fascinated with this idea for about 20 years now.
- I wouldn't mind making my own electricity and saving some money.
My Goal:
My immediate goal is to learn as much as possible about wind power and electricity generation. My application goal is to power my pole barn with wind power. I run lights, a computer, stereo amplifier, and a small refrigerator in the pole barn. I also run an air-compressor, but don't expect to run such a large tool from the scale of my project. I don't run this stuff every day, mostly on the weekends. I am hoping I can generate and store enough power during the week to get me through the weekends. I am estimating that my mill will have a 6 foot diameter swept area.
Of course from my reasons for building a wind generator above, this project must be a Do it Yourself project as much as possible. I could just go out and buy a commercial kit and realize my end goal, but then I learn nothing.
This is what I know:
* I have been surfing the net and believe that an axial-flux style is the way to go.
* I know that the bigger the better.
* I know wood based wind generator projects fly apart in high wind.
This is what I don't know:
* I don't know what kind, size I need, or where to buy rare-earth magnets.
* I don't totally understand stator construction, Star/Delta configuration, and the phase concept. If I have 12 coils and twelve magnets equally spaced, wiring every fourth coil together. Is this a single phase wired in a delta circuit?
* I don't know anything about making windmill blades. My plan is to get my generator making electricity on the workbench. I will work on building my frame, furling system and blades next.
This is what I have.
* I have a hub assembly from a 1982 Honda Goldwing Motorcycle. I have yet to see a PMG based off motorcycle parts. The hub has tapered roller bearings and twin disc rotors 10 ¾" O.D. with about 2" of what used to be breaking surface. I plan to use one hub as a magnet rotor and the other to mount my blades to.
* I have a preliminary design for a stator. My stator design will have 12 coils spaced at 30 degrees. My rotor will also have 12 magnets spaced equally.
* I also have a 700W Coleman power inverter that will be used to power my goodies.
* I have an extensive knowledge of Computer Aided Design (CAD). I will eventually model this system in CAD. I am using CAD to help design Stator and Mag rotor concepts.
* I have a great desire to see this project succeed.
This is what I believe:
* Even though I live in Central Michigan, I believe that where I live, I have enough wind to generate electricity.
* I believe that "You Can't Do It Wrong" Sure you can have failure. I am not trying to build the world's most efficient wind machine. I would like to fly something that I built myself. It may not be the best design, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
* I believe that wind generation will play a major role in providing green energy in the near future.
* I believe that with some help, I can succeed in my goals listed above.
Bz: This should be a Diary, please repost it there.
