FlyHiFlyLo
Administrator 
2007 Jinma 554LE
Posts: 425
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Post by FlyHiFlyLo on Jun 28, 2009 22:17:41 GMT -5
One of my future projects is to take an "antique style" pumper windmill and convert it to a generator.
My plan is to permit a small on-grid solar array (less than 2000 watts). When I do it I want to use a 5000+ watt inverter meter (over requirement).
Because the flack with a wind generator and the conditional use permits required to have them in my area. I'm required to notify everyone within 1000ft of my property line... So I will get shot down. I want and have approved by regional planning an "antique style windmill not to exceed 30 feet in height." So after I install the buy back solar system with SCE I will tap onto it a wind generator hopfully for another 3000+ watts.
I'm setting up Solar hot water heating for my ALL ELECTRIC house. Hot water is a huge cost for a family of 4 so that should help some. However, I would like to get some additional savings.
What my short plan is:
Take a 10 foot dia Aermotor setup and install it on a 28 foot tower made from 8x8 wood posts mounted to a concrete footing.
Use the piston rod from the turbine head (10" stroke) then run the shaft down the center of the tower just like as if pumping a well.
Let it run and cycle for a few months to see if I like it and the neighbors complain.
Then I want to take a full floating GM corporate 14bolt rear axle, wack one side off and narrow the other axle shaft and tube so I basically have a axle flange and a ring and pinion of considerable strength.
Then I want to attatch the pump rod to the axle flange and add a flywheel to the pinion flange and mount a generator to that. So all the "Ugliness" will be at the base of the tower away from prying eyes.
Having an all electric house doubles my baseline minimum so if I can get the power assist to keep me under baseline my electric bill will be less than 100 bucks.
Great country look, 2010 power
Does anyone know the horsepower rating of an Aermotor?
Any ideas? Thoughts? Will it work? What about the brake?
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halifax
CTW Member
Jinma 2007 254LE, Kodiak rotary mower, box blade.
Posts: 52
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Post by halifax on Jun 29, 2009 21:26:49 GMT -5
Not sure how much you have been into wind turbines, but one site I like is Otherpower www.otherpower.com/bottom_line.shtmlFrom what you describe, how much or little gearing will you have, as in the windmill turns 10 to 1 final ratio? I'm not sure how much average wind you have in your area, but most commercial wind generators need at least 8 plus mph to start turning and at least 10 mph to make usable electricity. I like the idea of the flywheel, but I'm not sure how much wind would be necessary to overcome the weight of it, and start turning. Unless I missed it, what type of generator/alternator will you be using? Its hard to find a low speed one that gives any usable power. I've considered on of these: www.windbluepower.com/Permanent_Magnet_Alternator_Wind_Blue_Low_Wind_p/dc-540.htmAre you planning on charging batteries then inverting it to your AC? I would suggest that the output from the windmill be AC to keep the wires smaller, then rectify it back to DC through a charge controller to your batteries. As a side note, I've been talking myself out of the home made wind mill because I do not have much average wind over here in VA. I wish I did, as I would build the 10 foot windmill from Otherpower. At our cabin in the woods, I have 6 solar panels (6 amps max) to charge 4 deep cell batteries. Of course I keep adding more things that require more power. So then I made a 12 volt generator from a GM alternator and a 5 HP motor. I run a 1000 watt inverter inside for the 6000 BTU AC, and Satellite dish. You know I'm rough in it out in the woods... But at least I can get cooled off after goofing on the tractor.. You've got my interest up now, keep us posted... Aubrey |
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FlyHiFlyLo
Administrator
2007 Jinma 554LE
Posts: 425
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Post by FlyHiFlyLo on Jun 29, 2009 22:00:13 GMT -5
One of the reasons why I want to use the rearend gear is to convert the axle speed up through the pinion. (Reverse of what it does in a car) I was thinking of using an electric clutch similar to what an a/c compressor has on it.
My winds average about 6mph and easy get up to a steady 20 and can even spurts up to 50mph on a crazy day.
I was thinking of using a generator head out of diesel unit. These run at about 1000 rpm. So If I use a 513:1 gear set and the turbine turns 200 RPM I'm good to go I guess...
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Post by bradblazer on Jun 29, 2009 23:17:42 GMT -5
Could you use a set of right angle gears to spin the shaft coming down instead of oscillating it? Might simplify the motion conversion. Of course you would have to compensate for shaft torque by angling the vane. I'm sure you've checked here: www.aermotorwindmill.com/Sales/CommonQuestions.aspThey don't seem interested in generating but you should be able to convert pump flow / head into power to estimate the output. Are you doing a geothermal heat pump to minimize electricity consumption? That might be able to help supply hot water too. Solar hot water should work great by you. Like he said, keep us posted. Brad I get 0.2hp from the specs of the 10' aeromotor. |
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3RRL
Administrator
Huge Kama
Posts: 2,027 
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Post by 3RRL on Jul 2, 2009 11:51:39 GMT -5
Very interesting idea Scott.
I like how you are about to "fool" your neighbors, as that can be the first obstacle to overcome. I wish I had more wind here in 3R, but it rarely gusts and rarely gets over 20mph. Mostly it's a 3 to 6mph breeze, so wind power is out for me.
My solar contractor is also very big into wind power ... more so than solar now. He just landed a huge contract in the Tehachapi area off the 58. You know, where all those other windmills are. I think it's just North of your place a bit. Anyway, if you are interested, I can give you his contact information and perhaps you could shoot the shit with him while picking his brain about it?
Rob-
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FlyHiFlyLo
Administrator
2007 Jinma 554LE
Posts: 425
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Post by FlyHiFlyLo on Jul 2, 2009 23:21:28 GMT -5
Yeah Brad I've read that link before.... Almost makes me feel like they are big pussies.... ;D
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FlyHiFlyLo
Administrator
2007 Jinma 554LE
Posts: 425
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Post by FlyHiFlyLo on Jul 2, 2009 23:23:28 GMT -5
Very interesting idea Scott. I like how you are about to "fool" your neighbors, as that can be the first obstacle to overcome. I wish I had more wind here in 3R, but it rarely gusts and rarely gets over 20mph. Mostly it's a 3 to 6mph breeze, so wind power is out for me. My solar contractor is also very big into wind power ... more so than solar now. He just landed a huge contract in the Tehachapi area off the 58. You know, where all those other windmills are. I think it's just North of your place a bit. Anyway, if you are interested, I can give you his contact information and perhaps you could shoot the shit with him while picking his brain about it? Rob- Yeah for me wind power is so much more effective. Many of the electric windmills out here sound like an gawd dang Huey in Nam. |
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Post by bradblazer on Sept 22, 2009 8:12:42 GMT -5
I saw this in Farm Show and I thought of this thread. A tad taller than you were looking for. www.rsiwind.com/ |
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quikduk
CTW Life Member
Dog House
Posts: 552
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Post by quikduk on Sept 22, 2009 13:34:52 GMT -5
I have been looking at this one. www.skystreamenergy.com/The Bergeys in my area are prevalent (better sales BS IMHO) but they are flippin LOUD!!! and require more frequent service and maintenance then what they are sold as requiring plus they require about $18K after credits rather than the $8K for the Sky Stream. www.bergey.com/YMMVOC...and I can't do one of these right now anyway...  |
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Post by bradblazer on Sept 22, 2009 14:20:38 GMT -5
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quikduk
CTW Life Member
Dog House
Posts: 552
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Post by quikduk on Sept 22, 2009 21:53:27 GMT -5
Well that sucks as the bad review was from March of this year. There are literally dozens of the Bergey windmills in my area. My real issues with them are: 1. high cost even after rebates 2. guide wire (guy wire?) requirements 3. noisy (REALLY noisy) 4. high maintenance costs 5. a lot apparently break in higher winds (tails etc.) The BA hydraulic ones are favorites of people with farms but they aren't the prettiest to look at. I could use a combination of photovoltaic solar panels and a modest wind turbine with a separate inverter mounted in the garage. it blows fairly strong around my area better than 10 months out of the year with good sun around 7-9 months out of the year. It would be nice to get a large credit from the utility co. rather than just a zero bill as all of the extra energy goes back to the grid without any additional monies to me...  I would like to go off-grid like Rob and Loretta someday...but not around here. |
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Post by bradblazer on Sept 23, 2009 10:38:43 GMT -5
Have you seen this one? Might make an interesting home build. pesn.com/2005/11/07/9600201_TMA_vertical_axis/www.tmawind.com/It's still pretty hard to beat the cost of grid electricity where available. IMHO, the sensible policy for large scale "net metering" would be for the the power company to buy it back at their generation cost. To buy it back at retail discounts the value of their transmission system. In some places they even buy it back at higher than retail if it's "green". Apparently in your case they will take it from you if it's free. |
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FlyHiFlyLo
Administrator
2007 Jinma 554LE
Posts: 425
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Post by FlyHiFlyLo on Sept 23, 2009 22:35:26 GMT -5
Have you seen this one? Might make an interesting home build. pesn.com/2005/11/07/9600201_TMA_vertical_axis/www.tmawind.com/It's still pretty hard to beat the cost of grid electricity where available. IMHO, the sensible policy for large scale "net metering" would be for the the power company to buy it back at their generation cost. To buy it back at retail discounts the value of their transmission system. In some places they even buy it back at higher than retail if it's "green". Apparently in your case they will take it from you if it's free. Interesting.. I wonder how loud it really is... |
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FlyHiFlyLo
Administrator
2007 Jinma 554LE
Posts: 425
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Post by FlyHiFlyLo on Sept 23, 2009 22:38:58 GMT -5
I saw this in Farm Show and I thought of this thread. A tad taller than you were looking for. www.rsiwind.com/That is awesome! |
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