Downwind turbine question

[solarengineer]

If I wanted to make a downwind turbine is it simply a matter of putting the prop on backwards?

Just looking to figure out the blade configuration the mechanical I can work out it's the prop orientation thats messing me up

Thanks

[Flux]

The prop needs to look the same way to the wind. The flat side should still face the wind. Looking from up wind it is the same way but it is backwards as far as the alternator is concerned.

Flux

[windstuffnow]

  Their installed exactly the same way as an upwind turbine only on the downwind side of the alternator...

Or a better shot of the unfinished version... and not spinning...

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[solarengineer]

Thats a great looking machine Ed, is the purpose of the 6 blades to keep the speed down to prevent grenading? or does it furl somehow?

Thanks and thanks Flux

[windstuffnow]

  The 6 blade was needed to overcome the mild cogging of the slotted steel stator in lower winds.  It did have a furling system, two were tried, One was a basic tilt up which did work alright but I was concerned about the wind lifting the pivot off the tower in high winds.  I ended up using a side furling system shown in the one flying similar to the up wind turbines but with a spring tensioner.   It worked fairly well but still needed some work.

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[CmeBREW]

Also, I doubt if your doing this, but, if you are using a treadmill motor/generator with the spindle on it, make sure you make the blades to go the correct direction so the 'big fan spindle' stays screwed on. The shaft threading can go either way. I followed DanB's blade making page which are for blades that go in the clockwise direction.(upwind gen) Of course those same  blades would turn a downwind generator counterclockwise. (looking straight at the shaft side of motor)

[MickS]

Here Is my down wind turbine -

Its been running without any maintenance or problems for more than 2 years.

Mick S




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