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Forum Index : Windmills : Nubie in the house
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Todax Newbie  Joined: 06/11/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 10 |
Sorry for top posting, but I didn't see an introduction link. I'm a 25 year cabinetmaker, unemployed for most of the last year due to economy, and I am trying to make some usefulness of my time as I seek solid work. Though I am most unterested in making a dent in my heating bill, RE of any kind has been my lifelong hope for getting off the grid. My interests in magnets have finally led me here, after a million bogus google searches that all lead to the same cons, and after a good study of DIY alternators and how they work, I've a few questions of the most connected people here. I always build mock ups and models before diving in over my head, so I would love to be directed to any simple projects from past members that would help me learn the basics. Keep in mind, though I can tell you anything about my field, electricty and electronics have always been a weak point for me. Ideally, I am working now towards making a small model windmill that acts as a night light, to place in my front yard as sort of an incentive for me to keep moving forword as well as to inspire the tens of thousands of commuters that pass by daily to "think" for themselves. I know from one succesful project that I can build on that to head for greater platos. Also, as I have assorbed a wealth of new knowledge over the past few weeks that have left me wondering about the standard practices. I live by standards, but always think about the "what if" clause of all imaginative people. For instance, what if on that stator there were two of more rings of coils that pass over the like number of magnets? If the fields were seperated, would it promote a greater output? How about placing three spirils (for 3 phases) instead of rings? As I experiment with my meager funds, I hope to try many configurations to see what the outcomes might be. Obviously my failures will tower over my achievements, but all it takes is one good success to make it all worthwhile. Hopefully, a good balance of known science will limit my failures, but as I said, I'm an AC Idiot, which places me squarely at the bottom of the heap. I'm also interested in, as far as wind power goes, natural power methods to propel any alternator, such as inserting the power of a stream to substitute for wind or involving the very stable force of gravity. Also interested in wind capturing techniques that might include different blade designs, perhaps horizontally placed drum styles like the working mills in Chicago, or even horizontal flat spin "pinwheels" in tandem. As I pointed out, small successes keep me moving forward. I just built my first window solar space heater from recycled cans. It was a small step, but seeing how I could turn 65 degree ambient temperature to 115 degrees in a minute with no moving parts was exactly what I am interesed in. My improvement to the hundreds of already built systems I copied from the web was just to make mine a portable unit I can just set in my windows. One small 36 can unit heats my kitchen up in a half hour so I can shut off the heater. I also learned about using the forces of convection as a natural fan to move the air, and that depending on the number of vertical chambers (cans) makes a huge difference in how much heat you can get. Thanx in advance for any leads, or ideas from all, and thanx to the creators of this site for all the good you are providing. |
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Downwind Guru  Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333 |
Hi Todax, Welcome to the forum. You sound as though you will fit in well here. I think you have the right approach with making a mimi mill first to learn from as there is a lot of knowledge to be gained from a mini mill. Many try to jump in feet first with a bigger mill and find they end up with a lesser result than expected. Mini mills teach you just how hard it is to extract good energy form the wind, and it is no different with big mills. Build a mini Hawt as it will teach you more about the practices of wind energy than a Vawt will ever do. Look forward to some photos of your developments. Pete. Sometimes it just works |
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MacGyver Guru Joined: 12/05/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 1329 |
Todax Funny, I thought your handle read "today" at first glance; I must be getting old. At any rate, welcome to the 4m. As Pete said, starting small will give you lots of experience as far as pitting theory against practicality. Although I am likely the largest member here (physically Shrek-sized--and no, that's not me on the scooter) you'll find all I build is little stuff. I'd venture to say I might by now even be a contender for the "King of Small Builds" title. From experience (read that mostly failures), I can tell you you're on the right track by building mock-up designs first. You mentioned you have limited hobby funds, so you'll want to watch what you spend. To that end, click on my profile button and peruse my posts before you actually commit funds. I've built lots of stuff and like I said, most projects went ker-thud! I happen to be at or near the top of the food chain, so funding is not as much a problem for me, but I will tell you this: Remember that old saying, "A fool and his money are soon parted."? It's right on. One final word (okay, four words) of caution: It's not a competition. I know from experience that it becomes somewhat of a race in your head. My advice is to pick a project and just see it through to your original goal. Don't try to change this or that along the way to "make it better" because all you'll do is never finish the project. Been there; done that for sure! I'm it it for the fun. I may even be just a bit autistic, because just watching blades spin in the wind is enough to entertain me for hours. Pick a goal, stick to it and enjoy your adventure. . . . . Mac Nothing difficult is ever easy! Perhaps better stated in the words of Morgan Freeman, "Where there is no struggle, there is no progress!" Copeville, Texas |
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wind-pirate Senior Member  Joined: 01/02/2007 Location: CanadaPosts: 101 |
Hi Todax Welcome Aboard. Solar "Heating" is one of my pet projects too. I have found a site called builditsolar.com It is run by Garry. He lives in Montana, where winters are close to ours "Canada" He has many projects there to chose from. One of them I'm using,(The pop can heater) This one is made of Wood. Some are very easy to make. At least for me. Some are quite complex. Dec and Jan we have very poor sun. But we still get some saving from the Gas man. Ron THE Pirate. stealing wind & solar energy is fun |
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isaiah Guru Joined: 25/12/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 303 |
Welcome aboard Todax look for a old copier or printer that has a small pma motor in it and build a mini mill around it. We have built several.I use pvc thin wall pipe for the blades but it is good to balance them as the pvc varies. AS a cabinet maker you may find it a challenge to make your blades of wood then move up with the big guys. We use one mini to charge a battery and run a couple led night lights. Its fun and you get lots of looks from passerby's even out in the country. led's let you do lots with little on a mini mill. We use the cork screw florescent or leds here and our local pwr company has a program where they give you a box of 9 cork screw florescent bulbs for free and we have installed several and they seem to be a bit brighter and light up faster than the ones we buy at Wal Mart. Well I drifted. Don't be afraid to ask for help no matter the question someone will have a answer.'  'URL=http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/1973-11- 01/The-Plowboy-Interview.aspx>The Plowboy Interview[/URL> |
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| Todax Newbie Joined: 06/11/2010 Location: United StatesPosts: 10 |
Like the idea. I was wondering about something. I've salvaged a couple of thrown out PCs and found some motors that I never realized were there. In the CD writer, there were two - one to spin the disk and the other to move the CD in and out. I found some useful magnets, both ceramic and neo's. But it's the fans from the PC's I was going to ask about. If you added larger fins to the blades and spun the fan by wind or hand, wouldn't that become an alternator. I'm an AC idiot, thus the simple question. I've been busy trying to find work, so I have no time to play around right now to check it out myself. |
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| Downwind Guru Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333 |
Todogs, Have a look at a thread here.... http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/forum1/forum_posts.asp?T ID=2373&PN=1&TPN=2 I had a fiddle with a pc fan for a student to make a cell phone charger for on a train in india. Not what i would call brilliant as in its power output but yes it can work. A stepper motor will make a much better mini mill. Pete. Sometimes it just works |
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