wind generator going up

[helomech]

Finally going to be able to power my aquaponics system in the event of a grid down situation long term

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/912476_10201354591693586_2049245900_n_zps9dde79e6. jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/912476_10201354591693586_2049245900_n_zps9dde79e6. jpg.html)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/975628_10201354849140022_1547835449_n_zps98963b5c. jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/975628_10201354849140022_1547835449_n_zps98963b5c. jpg.html)

[Echo2]

What's your ratio on the alternator?

[helomech]

1 rotation of the blades to 2 rotations of the alternator.

[ElevenBravo]

1 rotation of the blades to 2 rotations of the alternator.

That sounds good, you will only need 800 RPM of the VAWT to get the GM alternator to excite and generate electricity.

GLWT...
EB

[bacpacker]

Looks good Helo. One more BIG step marked off.

[helomech]

That sounds good, you will only need 800 RPM of the VAWT to get the GM alternator to excite and generate electricity.

GLWT...
EB

It isn't a standard alternator. He did a lot of work with the magnets, not sure exactly but will talk to him tomorrow. I was offshore today when he came to put it up. Wife was home and she did not pass the info to me exactly.

[ak474u]

Looks good, i like the tx flag. You could make some juice in dfw tonight. 85 mph winds in some areas. Lots of tornadoes, 2 deaths so far.

[helomech]

Thanks, that sucks to hear about the deaths. I hate those storms.

[helomech]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yOLdqkQTZM&feature=youtu.be

[ElevenBravo]

It isn't a standard alternator.
Its been modified, then it should work. Otherwise, the previous note applies.

Good, you were going in the right direction...

I saw the video, IMPRESSIVE even for not much altitude...

Please tell us more, like voltage output and amps...

Thanks for the updates!
EB

[helomech]

I just found out is started life as a bosh alternator, and was converted by a wind mill company. They removed the brushes and installed earth magnets or something like that. It is supposed to make power at very low rpm. We had a slight problem with the tower and had to weld a spot, and will make further repairs later. We just lowered the tower for now. It was not at full height in the video and when tried to raise it, the tower bent at the winch.

[bacpacker]

Lots of stress lifting any kind of mast or tower. I put up a 30' mast for my antenna several years ago and had a section of rebar to set the end of the mast over. I went back out to about the 20' section and started lifting, at about 50-60 degrees up one section collapsed and had to replace it. I ended up putting it up a section at a time. Much bigger pain in the ass, but it went together with no damage.

[helomech]

They had the winch on backwards and the cable was pulling over the top instead of the inside. This cause the winch to buckle one of the posts a bit and crack it. I welded it back, and we will have to make a repair at a later date. But it just lays over once it is cranked down to 10 foot. And it cranks up to 34 feet tall. Not sure if you can tell by the pics, but the base has two bolts you pull and it hinges over. If the winch had been installed the other way it would not have happened. It is his tower, so no loss to me.

[bacpacker]

Crank ups are nice. A buddy of mine put one up for a huge antenna. I think it went up to 50'. That thing was nice and easy to use.

[izzyscout21]

Helo,

thats too f-ing cool.

that is all.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Helo, with all the projects you've done, I'm convinced you could build a nuclear reactor out of flint knives and bear skins. That is one cool setup. I particularly like the fact that it is a vertical generator.

[helomech]

LMAO no but I wish I could.

[mitunnelrat]

Not true, Helo. I bet if you used a flint knife on a bear skin that's still attached to a living bear you'd get a reactor ;).

Shoulda said "yep, I can do that!"

[helomech]

LMAO, but don't want to try that.

[Katrina]

helo,
All I can say is sweet! It's on my wish list along with a solar generator.

[The Stig]

This is awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing it with us.

How is it working thus far?

[helomech]

This is awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing it with us.

How is it working thus far?

Slight set back. The guy that screwed the blades to the shaft used self tapping screws, and that caused a crack to form. The wind turbine fell to the ground just above the bearing. They are building another one now and will send it over when they are finished. So no electricity is being produced right now. We will get it right eventually, I hope.