High wind STRESS!

[luckeydog]

High wind stress

I am sitting in here typing out this because I rather not be watching my wind generator right now.

Watching that machine go completely wild in the 60+ mph wind is making me stress out

This machine is a newly built . it has been through 30 mph winds and survived those just fine, things keep going through my mind like .

 Dam I wish I put a furling tail on it.

 I hope that 1" pipe holding the wind gen on top of that 47' tower dose not bend or worse break.

Are the guy wires strong enough?

Are there enough guy wires?

Are the anchors going to hold?

Is the wooden blade going to hold up with out becoming

A huge flying splinter?

I hope the wires don't burn up?

Where are there more car head light to slow wild this thing down.

Ooh that is right the car has two more.

Thees are all thing going through my mind right now and I don't dare talk to the wife

Because then the real stress would start. So I am venting my stress to all of you.

I do believe I will do some things differently with the next wind gen.

Like

Go with a 3 blade instead of a two blade. The vibration running down that tower is just a bit freaky.

Also the number one thing is I will build a furling system for this machine. I believe that would be the best thing even though it is only a 6 ft blade.

High winds are the true test for your machine and your self confidence in your workmanship if you build it

Build it stronger than you think necessary.

And then build it stronger than that.

Thanks for hearing me vent my thoughts.

Luckeydog

[luckeydog]

here are before and after photos

it appears the 1 inch bent or the 1/2 inch tail boom broke at the threads from the vibration. and then the blades spun around and hit the tower.

[electrondady1]

oops!

downward dog!

[Norm]

  I only build small ones so far and then wait

for days to get a 6mph wind....were I to build

one even the size of yours....I would likely get

60 mph winds....so if I ever do try one that size

I'll remember the lesson and build it good with

furling and breaking and everything.

  BTW....did you ever test something  like even a

4 footer on the ground...holding it in your hand

and realize it's going a little too fast to hold

it like this and for a brief moment of panic

you think how do I stop this thing...so then it

comes to you...turn it sideways to the wind....

even then gyroscopic forces become a disconcerting

factor.

           I guess its think before you leap ?

                 Have Fun !

                       ( :>) Norm.

[neilho]

That's not so bad! Looks like all you'll have to do is put on a furling tail and you'll be good to go, lesson learned. The generator/alternator, blades and tower still look usable.    

[luckeydog]

Yes I have spun it up while holding it and you are right, you do start to think well that was stupid...lol. It is a lot like the first time I shot an arrow straight up and then seen it disappear and then panic wondering where to run to in the open field I was in, and not knowing where it was going to come down at.

 Luckeydog

[luckeydog]

You are right it was not that bad. the Tower is fine and the Generator is OK.

Besides this give me an excuse to build another.

Luckeydog

[Ungrounded Lightning Rod]

It is a lot like the first time I shot an arrow straight up and then seen it disappear and then panic wondering where to run to in the open field I was in, and not knowing where it was going to come down at.

Don't try that with bullets, either.  Especially from a shotgun.

(No I did NOT try it myself.  That's why I'm still here.  B-) )

Luckeydog

Given the your experiments the nickname seems apt.  B-)