First test of my 1.6M {5.25ft} turbine

[Chris OC]

Just thought I would let you all know i did my first wind turbine test yesterday. It works brilliantly

My "test" tower {read short scaffold pole} is very low but the blades start turning in even the lightest of winds reaching cut in around 5 or 6 MPH. It was very satisfying watching my turbine start charging my batteries before my neighbours small production turbine even started up!  The wind was very light in the morning but by the afternoon it was around 10 mph with a few strong gusts but those gusts got it to over 10A at which point the multi meter blew a fuse! I couldnt belive how much the power started increasing with only a few more MPH of wind.

I have now got a 50A ammeter on the way so hopefully when I get the turbine on the new tower {got to paint it} I will get some really good readings. Will post some pictures when I get that sorted, and maybe youtube video.

A BIG thank you to everyone who contributes to this board, otherpower and windstuffnow for all the information they have online. Without you I would never have tried doing this.

Regrds  

[Electron Pump]

  Sounds great man! Tell us a little more about your machine and connections.

[projectpower]

NICE

[Chris OC]

Its a twin rotor axial flux alternator, 24 {12 per rotor} wedge shape magnets and 9 coils with 42 winds of 14 SWG, with carved wooden blades.

[Chris OC]

Thanks mate

Can't wait to get some power readings and post some images. Just trying to decide if I should mount all the rectifiers and connections in a box or to flat mount them to the wall in the engine room.

[Electron Skipper]

Flat mount them for more effective cooling unless you are going to fan force air into the box..

[Chris OC]

Just got a couple of pictures

Here is the first one of the turbine on it's test stand:

The bridge rectifiers on heatsink {I have got some thick cable, terminals and a ammeter coming so I will wire it all nicely and post a picture when sorted}:

This is the 12V distribution switches/fuses:

I did have step by step pictures of the turbine build taken on a mobile phone but a few weeks ago I accidentally dropped it in a bucket of acetone

Just one question about a fuse. I have got a 60A fuse but I was a little unsure about it. I seriously doubt that it would ever make anywhere near 60A, but if it did and blew the fuse wouldn't it just be like a disconnected turbine, freewheeling?

I have got to have a fuse for every circuit as my boat safety test is due in a few months. He will check its fused, but not the fuse size, shall I just fit say a 100A fuse?

Thanks

[Chris OC]

8 AWG Cable and ammeter arrived today, but no shunt with the ammeter gutted. Phoned the supplier and due to a online listing error the shunt is not included with the ammeter as I thought. Fair dues to them though they are going to send me one out at trade price

Looks like I won't see any power figures till next week now.

[FlyByNight]

Looks great - well done!

Can I ask where you got your wedge magnets from? Did you find a supplier in the UK or did you have to get them from USA?

My parents have a canal boat so I guess at some point in the future I'll be building them a small turbine (right now I am planning my own turbine though).

Cheers,

Paul.

[Chris OC]

Thanks Paul,

I bought the wedge shape magnets in the USA from Ed at windstuffnow. It was at least a year ago when I got them {the exchange rate was very good at that time around two USD to the GBP} so they worked out around the same price as rectangle magnets in the UK.

Got my shunt today for my ammeter so I'll try and get it wired up this week.

Good luck with your turbine

Regards,

Chris.

[TheCasualTraveler]

What size disc did you put the magnets on?

[Electron Pump]

  Quality stuff all the way dude. Ya know with all of todays tecnology, it looks like someone would offer an acitone proof phone. Ya just have to wonder.

  Good luck man and dont feel bad for the migratory birds. Survival of the fittest right.