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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
 Posted - 28/02/2008 : 22:12:30
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Where do I start.....
Ok I'm new to this forum as a member. I just signed up last week. I've been reading things for a while and appreciate all the information and advice I get for free.
Now I have a real question or two, I posted already on an existing thread but I really need advice so I'm opening this one.
Please give me some idea as to what I should ask a stepper motor company for.
I've contacted a company and they're prepared to supply and modify if needed brushless PMDC motors if I can tell them the tech specs I need.
They've sent me out litrature but to be honest all the technical stuff is just that ....technical stuff....grrr why can't they print in english.
If any member can give me basic info as to what an ideal motor should be I'd appreciate it.
I have also found a company in America that supplies new hub dynamos for $30 plus shipping (which is a lot cheaper than the untested sturmeys that come up on e-auctionsitewithaloadingdockname) I think a lot of people may be inspired to build a small turbie with prices like that for the motor.
I dunno If I'l allowed post the link but if people want it just ask and I'll stick it on here.
Eagerly awaiting responses...
Sundowner
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners
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gotwind
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
760 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2008 : 22:38:32
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Hi Sundowner and welcome.
It depends what you ultimately want really.
A bespoke brushless PM DC motor is not going to be cheap, unless you know the company personally, even still it is not the best way to go in my opinion.
For small scale experimenting, the Dynohub is ok for experience (5 watts max) and then PM DC motors - The Ametek 30 or 38 volt models - eBay U.S
Anything larger, it has to be the Futurenergy alternator is my best advice.
http://www.futurenergy.co.uk/products.html
If you have good wind in your location, take a look at Navitrons, imported Chinese turbines - good value.
http://www.navitron.org.uk/e107_plugins/wrap/wrap.php?11
I hope this helps
Ben. |
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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2008 : 22:56:33
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Hi Ben,
Thanks for responding,I agree that the bespoke motor won't be cheap.
I still tink new would be better than second hand untested or secondhand tested by "I gave it a twirl by hand and got 12.65V no problem type testing".
I know that the dynohub is only for playing about with, I made one many moons ago when I was 15 and kept blowing bike bulbs but could never figure out why. My logic in my feckless youth was if its made to power these bulbs why does it keep blowing bike bulbs...now I konw why lol.
I didn't realise that navitron sold a 200W model as cheap as that for the full kit(except batteries.
I now have a source for blades at a resonable price.
Ultimatly I hope to have a home built with as little dependence on a grid as possible. Mountainside location in a valley with lots of open space and very consistant wind not fast just steady on a regular basis.
First step is to get a mobile home up there and power some of it from a homebrew model or bite the bullet and invest in a small shop bought one.
Thanks again,
Sundowner.
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
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ghurd
Junior Member
USA
271 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 15:03:22
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"won't be cheap"? Did they quote you a price?
It will knock your socks off.
Many off the shelf items would be just as good and better. And a LOT cheaper.
Could get a 1HP GE ECM with burnt-out brains(makes 400W) shipped in from the US, cheaper than a custom stepper that makes 20W.
At least from the stepper company I spoke with.
G- |
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ghurd
Junior Member
USA
271 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 15:31:16
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Oh, I wanted to ask where you found a US hub dynamo.
G- |
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Tim L
Starting Member
United Kingdom
43 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 16:55:57
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Sundowner
From what little I know I'd seriously echo the advice to get a "proper" made-for-wind alternator like the Futurenergy one, rather than mess about with anything else. Even though it's a brushless design, the stepper motor I'm using as an alternator needs quite a bit of grunt to get it moving, and the proper ones will have been designed to minimise that so they can make use of lighter winds instead of needing a serious breeze to start going round. And that's only for one kilowatt, too. You could have a Rolls Royce design for the rest of the system but if the alternator is poor, there's naff all point.
By the way, I seriously underestimated the forces on my tower when the wind blows, so make sure your own tower is very, very well braced.
PS: Source for blades? Tell me more......... |
Edited by - Tim L on 29/02/2008 17:25:57 |
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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 19:03:15
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Hi Ghurd,
Lol at the knock my socks off comment with regards to price..thats my problem I don't know what to ask for so I can't get them to quote.
If I could throw some basic specs at them.. ....I might have a chance.
The hub dynamo I saw for sale, I don't think its an American design, just for sale on an American site.
I'll post the link and if the moderators/Ben wants to remove the link I won't be offended.
http://www.speedmatrixdepot.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=46
I think I need to use tinyurl on that lol.
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
Edited by - Sundowner on 29/02/2008 19:04:24 |
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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 19:07:51
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Hi Tim L
Thanks for your advice, its appreciated.
Cheap source for blades.... this is a link Ben posted earlier, I haven't seen turbines or blades cheaper anywhere else.
http://www.navitron.org.uk/e107_plugins/wrap/wrap.php?11
Is it acceptable for me to put up a data sheet from a motor company and ask members which one would be the best to use ?
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
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Tim L
Starting Member
United Kingdom
43 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 19:59:17
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| Thanks Sundowner, I looked at the 1000W blades on the Navitron site, but may have missed basic info.....like how big they are, for a start! |
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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
Posted - 29/02/2008 : 21:56:55
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I have to agree with you on that Tim, I couldn't see a size specification on any of the blades for sale either.
I did find the forum so it appears that I'll be doing a lot of lurking there too :)
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
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ghurd
Junior Member
USA
271 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 03:06:16
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Thanks for the link.
Steppers. It's been quite a while.
I wanted 1.5A at 12V. Low inductance, low step count per rev, etc. 144 pieces?
Price came in at $650 / £325 each. $100,000 for a case of stepper motors? No Thanks!
I never did find those socks.
G- |
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ghurd
Junior Member
USA
271 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 03:58:34
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| That hub dynamo for sale on an American site... is in Singapore. LOL. |
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donniedingle
Junior Member
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 14:50:17
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hi sundowner
you say your gonna put a mobile home on your plot and then use renewables for the electric supply ....great. i'm totally dependent off grid myself, its a case of putting your hand in your wallet and getting a chinese 200W turbine, they are brilliant i have 2 at my remote farms. once you get one up and running and experiencing first hand your demands on power useage, then go for a bigger unit or an extra unit, cheeezzz what can ya get for 200.00 these days, i bought a futurenergy unit, i must need my head looking at.....bearings the size of skate board wheels. and from what i saw inside it someone is making a healthy profit from them, yes not my cup of tea for up here in the windy north. now my chinese ones another story .
regards donnie.
just keep her spinning.. |
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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 21:26:04
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:O:O:O sorry Ghurd, I was sure that was an American site musta been the .com got me confused.
Thanks Donnydingle, I'm kind of leaning the same way myself now, buy a small turbine and use that to learn what I can and can't do.If I burn it out its only cost me a few hundred euro.
It would also have another plus in that it would help me gauge the possible power I'd be able to generate.
I cn't wait to get something up and running, just so I can show the beautiful location I have.:)
Has anyone tried to make a turbine from a scooter motor. 24v 2750rpm 120w is what it says on the tag.
Its a nice solid little motor and I have 5 of them if anyone is interested in helping me design something around that motor I'll gladly put one in the post(if its practical no point in wasting time if its only going to crank out minimal V and A).
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
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Sundowner
Starting Member
Ireland
47 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2008 : 23:06:15
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I'm guessing that thsese motors must be useless ?
Sundowner....huh.........thats what they call us.......Sundowners |
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MattM
New Member
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 02:06:29
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It's only been a few days since you asked. At the least you can hook up to a power drill and get a reading off of them.
Go Huskers! |
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Advice and help needed
