| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| gotwind |
Posted - 28/07/2007 : 14:31:57
I have been asked to include a Frequently asked questions page (F.A.Q)
As you can imagine, this would be a huge amount of work for me as the subject is so broad, but very worthwhile for new visitors.
What I propose is: if any of the members on this forum can contribute a number of questions and answers to a 'typical newbie' question, please could they add it to this posting.
This would be the best way of getting a wide range of questions, and answers.
I will then check them all, edit if necessary and repost here, and on a page on gotwind.
e.g.
Q:Will a 100 watt generator be enough to power all my domestic electricity needs?
A: No,a 100 watt generator would typically be used for maybe powering small lighting requirements e.g. 4 fluorescent lights switched on for an evening.
The Futures Green - Getwind of it. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Del |
Posted - 03/03/2008 : 17:07:52
Hi Sundowner,
Sorry not to have replied until now. Sounds like a great location you have there. I think your next step is to calculate the power you'll need from multiplying the wattage consumption by the hours each unit will be used for. This should be fine for lights, tv, dvd etc but you'll probabaly have to use a plug in power meter to calculate the power requirement of your fridge. Once you know how much power you're going to need you can work out what kind of output you're going to need from your turbine. Obviously your turbine is not going to be running at full chat all day so bear that in mind and I'd supplement your wind power with solar perhaps and maybe a small generator as a standby measure. You're also going to to need an inverter. Most of the things you mention don't take much power but the fridge may need a glut of power on startup so a small inverter may not do what you need. Modified sine inverters are more efficient and certainly cheaper but do give a bit of buzz and interferance on some audio visual items of equipment, so some people opt for a pure sine inverter to use with such equipment. If you need anything more it may be best to ask via a normal forum thread rather than this 'sticky' FAQ page.
Cheers
Del. |
| Sundowner |
Posted - 21/02/2008 : 18:07:37
Hi Del,
Thanks for the response.
I have a 8 acre site in a mountain location.
The site is off grid and it would cost me in the region of 7 to 10 thousand euro to bring electricity to the location.
What I'm looking to do is firstly set up a test location.
I intend putting a mobile home on the site before I build.
I would like to run the mobile home off grid and generate enough power to run lights, tv, fridge dvd player etc etc( not all at the same time).
I know I'm looking at a battery bank situation which isn't a problem as I reckon I can get a couple of forklift or large track machine batteries for free.
I guess my basic question was what would be the best type of permanent magnet motor for me to source to build my own generator.
I'm not interested in building from scratch just yet as I don't have a proper workshop.
I have made contact with a motor manafacturer and they say they will custom build a motor for me if I can supply them with the spec I need.
I could provide them with the data from an amtek motor but I figured that most of you guys on here have tried and tested various motors over the past few years.
The supplier assures me that if he builds the motor(or modifies an existing design) that he will make the motor available to other end users.
I don't see cost of the motor as being a factor as whatever I do its going to be far cheaper than paying for a grid connection.
I could buy a ready built turbine from the various suppliers, but where would be the fun and personal satisfaction in that.
still looking for advice and input.
Sundowner.
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
| Del |
Posted - 21/02/2008 : 16:27:41
Hi Sundowner,
Welcome to the forum.
I think you need to decide first what you want to use the output for. To charge a small battery to power a light in your shed or to power your whole house? Then look that what kind of wind you have in terms of it being clean wind (not turbulant from nearby buildings and trees etc) and the windspeed. Once you have these defined you can being to look at potential generators or having one built. General advice is the most volts and amps for the least rpm but you have to match your circumstances: are you going to grid tie? Do you only want to spend £100? What's your battery bank like? Will you be using an inverter? Will you be having solar pv inpuits? Would something available off the shelf be suitable for you? Lots to consider. As regards shaft size - some generators are mounted on their threaded shaft and the generator spins (Futurenergy type) with the blades attached to the generator. Hope this helps.
Cheers
Del. |
| Sundowner |
Posted - 21/02/2008 : 12:32:13
Hello to all the members of gotwind.....I've been reading a while and am impressed with all the knowledge.
I built my first turbine with a sturmey dynamo 28 years ago, but could never figure out why it always blew the bulbs in moderate wind.
I've never lost the fascination I had for wind turbines and the current interest in turbines has me enthralled.
My electronics knowledge is limited but I'm eager to learn more.
I have made contact with a company that makes permanent magnet motors to order the first one may be expensive but if its designed to order and other people can avail of the same thing it would be worth the initial investment.
My question to those of you in the know is what kind of spec should I be looking for... RPM Voltage amps etc etc and what is the best shaft size.
Looking forward to some helpful imput.
Sundowner
Sundowner |
| Peter Williams |
Posted - 11/10/2007 : 19:30:42
I want to make a small light from 10 leds in parallel. I am using a 4.8v (4 x 1.2 rechargeable batteries) and know that I need a 60 ohm resistor (thanks Liam).
Do I use one resistor in the circuit or one per led. I was also under the impression that the resistor is connected to the positive side of the led?
The idea I'm aiming at is something similar to this
http://www.instructables.com/id/Low-Profile-LED-Shelf-Lighting/
but from 4 1.2v batteries
Peter |
| BushWhacker |
Posted - 20/09/2007 : 20:11:28
After Ghurd's great write up concerning Electricity and Charging on Del's Solar Panel string I am still left with a couple of questions.
The leads coming from a hub I will be using are 14Ga. Are there any gains to be had by running heavier wire (12Ga. 10Ga.?) from the 14Ga. leads to a battery on a short run, say 15Ft? What if you have a longer run say 50 Ft?
I realize that the 14Ga. leads will act as a "choke point" of higher resistance in this set up but just do not know if lower resistance down line would help deliver more power to the battery.
Thanks for helping the electrically challenged.
Cheers!
BW
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. - Albert Einstein |
| ll81 |
Posted - 18/09/2007 : 20:30:54
LEDs Vf (forward voltage max) is the maximum voltage drop that has been measured during batch test of the components. Unlike a bulb the voltage will be high enough to cause current to flow or not. Once that forward voltage is reached the load impedance on the voltage source is low, if the voltage is high the current will be high, possibly to high and no more LED. If it is low the LED won't light. The actual voltage of the batteries will vary and the exact Vf of the LED.
By using more voltage than needed you can guarantee there will always be enough to light the LED and use a resistor in sereies in the circuit to limit the current. 4.8v max - 3.6v = 1.2v. If If max (forward current) is 20 ma then 1.2/0.02=60 (V/E=R). Put a 60 ohm resistor in series with the battereis-LED to prevent destruction and ensure the LED stays on as the battery voltage falls.
Cheers, Liam
|
| Peter Williams |
Posted - 17/09/2007 : 15:58:49
A-ha Liam!
Whats a series resistor and how do you know what type to use?
4 batteries would be 4.8v through a 3.6v led, could you please explain.
thanks
Peter |
| ll81 |
Posted - 12/09/2007 : 22:55:42
You would do alot better to use four and a series resistor.
Cheers, Liam
|
| Peter Williams |
Posted - 11/09/2007 : 17:09:43
I have some ultrabright 10mm leds that run on a forward voltage of 3.6v. Is it ok to use 3 rechargeable batteries (1.2v each) or is there a chance of blowing the lights. I would like to charge these batteries in situ connected to the leds. |
| gotwind |
Posted - 06/09/2007 : 16:53:59
Hi Peter.
I think steppers are used in robots and the like, anything that needs accurate micro rotations.
Theres a few on eBay - I didn't have much luck with one, getting only 4 watts of power.
More info on this page
http://www.gotwind.org/stepper_motor.htm
Ben
The Futures Green - Getwind of it. |
| Peter Williams |
Posted - 05/09/2007 : 21:48:51
I'm unfamiliar with stepper motors, which devices are the best to get them from and what sort of information/stats should I be looking for when sourcing a motor?
Also what sort of power are we talking about with them? |
| ll81 |
Posted - 31/08/2007 : 16:21:41
It will suck up the current until it is charged, after that point you will want a circuit that disconnects the panel. I have never done any research on solar panels but can't imagine running it in such overload conditions is favourable.
woo-hoo |
| Del |
Posted - 31/08/2007 : 09:13:51
Hi Peter,
Some advice I've read recently from a battery charger co. is that the battery voltage should not exceed 13.8 volts for long periodsand 14.4 volts for short periods (8 hours maximum).
Cheers
Del. |
| BushWhacker |
Posted - 31/08/2007 : 03:20:35
Peter, re: Since batteries are self regulating could I charge a 6v battery with a 12v solar panel?
From what I have read, (and that's a whole bunch) the receiving battery will suck up the juice (more voltage than it's own rated voltage) until it is fully charged. When the battery (or battery bank) is fully charged, (in your case almost 7 volts measured while charging) if you keep charging it, it will become a DANGER ZONE! if the amperage is high enough. Over charging will also reduce the life of a battery at anything over about 2 amps. That's why battery chargers are usually regulated.
Cheers!
BW
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. - Albert Einstein |
