Posted: 05:33am 15 Oct 2005

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Hi peoples,

Absolute newbie to this stuff.

I just posted on otherpower.com a full outline of what I'm trying to achieve and why, so I'll provide a link rather than rewrite the hole topic.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/10/14/92732/876

Put simply, I'm contemplating using this 460mm x 290mm whirlybird turbine........

...to drive an F&P mounted on a 450x450mm x 300mm(H) box for use as a portable genny for beach camping. All electronics in the box including 12v outlet and 150watt 240/12v inverter outlet, 120A sealed wet deep cycle battery in it's own plastic battery box to sit along side it.

I plan to do some heavy decogging which I know will cause power loss, but I believe I need the turbine to start spinning at low wind speeds.

My power needs are a constant 5.5A full time for a 12v fridge, and a couple of 240v 8-11watt fluro globes, plus a few other items that will draw around 4-5A in total for 1-2hrs a day run from the inverter - it draws .1A.

This is another idea I have, but I have concerns about overall weight and safety with battery built in.

All opinions and recommendations welcome. As I said earlier, I'm a newbie so english is my preferred language electronic diargrams are beyond me - I'm connect red wire to terminal A type person :-)

Greg

Posted: 06:53am 15 Oct 2005

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Hi Greg, and welcome to the message board.

Well I read the above, and the other info on OtherPower.com. It can all be done, but.....

Your going to need a bigger windmill. The F&P makes about 1 watt per rpm, so for normal use we expect about 200 to 400 watts for a HAWT windmill, and over 1000 watts for water wheels. EcoInn ( see the links page ) has a lot of info on the F&P for both wind and water use.

My windmill is 2.2 meters in diameter, so has a sweept area of about 3.7 meter square, and that gives me 20 amps peak into a 12 volt battery, or 240 watts, when its blowing a gale. On average I get 10 amps, or 120 wats.

VAWTS are almost as efficient as HAWTS ( see ED's new design ), so you would need a VAWT about 2 meters high and 2 meters wide to get the same sort of power. See where I'm heading? Your little wirly bird just wont have the power to drive the F&P. Its a good idea, but you need to go bigger. Why not build your portable box with the controllers, inverter and batteries, and buy a 200 watt windmill from Oatley Electronics for $499 AU. It come with a simple tower and would only take 30 minutes to put up.

Glenn

Posted: 10:57am 15 Oct 2005

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I totally agree with giz, you will need to go alot bigger or only go to the beach when there's a storm.

The whirly bird will not come close to even starting a F&P gen. 

Posted: 11:50am 15 Oct 2005

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Thanks guys,

I tend to agree with you now - I took the turbine outside and sat it on a bucket in a good stiff wind, it was real easy to stop with a bit of hand pressure.

I did look at ED's site a few weeks ago and was impressed. I was just looking for a cheap easy way out - I have everything I need to great a DC current output, and I haven't spent $30 yet.

Because I'm really only need around 10A an Hr I should use a smaller alternator, but the F&P has so much info on it - and potential should I decide bury myself in this stuff. I might have a chat with Ed about using a 3'x2' version with some sort of gearing to drive the F&P - even if I only get 10+A out of it. As far as the rest of my design goes, it's pretty std I think.

I still need to source an auto switching star/delta controller board - I'm having trouble contacting the people who have the auto switching controller boards at design specialists - any ideas?

As far as charge management goes, what do you guys think of the Xantrex C Series

I have actually ordered their 70 page colour Smart Drive Reconnection & Performance Manual - can't wait for it to arrive.

The missus would kill me. While I spend a few $$ here and there, I can get away with it ;-)

Greg

Posted: 08:48pm 15 Oct 2005

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Hi greg.  I tried that whirly exhaust fan years ago -got the biggest one  from the manufacturer -damaged,for free. I sat it up around 40 feet with a small belt drive(printer ) and a small pm 12 v motor.

In a stiff breeze it barely moved and as soon as I shorted the leads it came to a sudden stop -- So, sorry,but they won't work.

If you are up Mt.tamborine way one day ,call in and I'd be happy to show you a few things .

brucedownunder@hibis.wbs.net.au

Cheers,bruce