Has anyone here ever built a wind generator?

[Echo2]

First let me start by saying....we really need a DIY section....:)

Second....I have it in my head the basics....and have looked around the shop for the mast materials....I think I have enough stuff to put a small one together.

Has anyone else here done this?

I wanted to use a GM alternator...as they are the most common....but research is showing me that a stationary magnet motor is going to be the best route.

I can fabricate the mast and the hub....the mount and the capsule.....but I'm torn on how to build the blades.....PVC or galvanized steel.

A question:....if I were to just run a cable out of the bottom of the capsule and down the pole .....isn't it going to be shredded?....or is it that rare for the wind to send it in to a spin?

These are just a few of the thoughts I have running around in my head.....please discuss.....I'm fairly ignorant on the subject.

Thanks

Echo2

[helomech]

I have not built one yet, but will soon. I believe the stationary magnetic motors are A/C voltage, where as the alternator is D/C which is way easier to work with, but I am not 100% positive on that. Just be sure to check it out. Here is a guy that uses the motor off of old tredmills, and makes the blades out of PVC.

http://www.velacreations.com/energy/electrical-sources/wind-power/item/77-chispito-how-to.html

[Echo2]

something else cool.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN9iLNHGOYI&feature=related

[bacpacker]

I second Echo's thoughts on a DIY section.

I have no back ground with Wind stuff. However I would think you would want to have some mechanisim to stop the rotor from going 360 degrees from either direction. You can leave enough slack in the cabling to allow the rotor to go say 350 degrees. You will still catch wind from any direction. Just place the stop in what direction is where you get the least wind from.
I base this on running coax on a ham radio tower/antenna/rotor configuration. Those rotors are not allowed to go a full 360. I will keep an eye on this thread.

[helomech]

I second Echo's thoughts on a DIY section.

I have no back ground with Wind stuff. However I would think you would want to have some mechanisim to stop the rotor from going 360 degrees from either direction. You can leave enough slack in the cabling to allow the rotor to go say 350 degrees. You will still catch wind from any direction. Just place the stop in what direction is where you get the least wind from.
I base this on running coax on a ham radio tower/antenna/rotor configuration. Those rotors are not allowed to go a full 360. I will keep an eye on this thread.

They make contact blocks. Basically it is a round object that spins and has two sets of contacts. The top part can spin all it wants and the bottom part remains staionary. It uses brushes to pass the electricity from one side to the other. Going to see if I can find a pic.

[helomech]

Here is one.

http://www.mercotac.com/

[Echo2]

http://sell.bizrice.com/selling-leads/209894/M3M-Slip-Ring-for-Wind-Turbine-Electrical-Connector-Armature.html

http://sell.bizrice.com/upload/20120109/M3M_Slip_Ring_for_Wind_Turbine_Electrical.jpg

[Echo2]

http://www.rmhoffman.com/distribution_products/slip_rings/mercotac.html

[Evolver]

Here is a diagram of a common design and workings inside of a wind turbine. One of the important areas of the build is the gears and ratios to the generator.

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR3T3vd0oBgg4GFgL9XK6ngq--DTmisma6dc6mutoE2dyvI4GwAeA


http://www.shodor.org/ssep/prl/duketech/techtronics/lessons/solar_energy/assets_solar/solar_energy_images/61.gif

Ditto on the DIY section!!! :)

[Echo2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1pfz25RbBwk#!

[Echo2]

I ordered one of these....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390449425840?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

and a few of these.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251112974934?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

picked out the material to make the mast....and tail fin...all aluminum.