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Forum Index : Windmills : A windmill made from coat hangers.

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Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5116

Posted: 04:45am 10 Feb 2006

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I love this thing. Philippe from Boston send me photos of his windmill he made with " a bicycle wheel, 9 plastic coat hangers, Styrofoam and tape. " He uses a clothes dryer belt around the rim to turn a small motor. Its very clever the way he used the coat hangers.

Glenn

Edited by Gizmo 2006-02-11

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

Chris

Senior Member

Joined: 12/09/2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 146

Posted: 10:14am 14 Feb 2006

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Thats a brilliant idea, you wouldnt notice the coat hangers if you walked past either!

solarmike

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Joined: 14/11/2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 26

Posted: 07:01pm 26 Feb 2006

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Ingenious idea! Perhaps a video head from an old VCR could be attached for the generator. (they are permanent magnet alternators)I could see impoverished 3rd world countries could make use of simple and free wind designs like this one! they could power cell phones and small LED lights.

I am solarmike

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5116

Posted: 06:51am 21 Jan 2007

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Philippe sent an update on his windmill, he's updated the design...

"This wheel rotates freely. At the location (hole) of the inner tube, I inserted one side of the axle of a rotating "bicycle wheel windmill". The wheels are perpendicular to each other. On the opposite side of the tire valve hole (windmill anchor point), I added a tail supported by a section of aluminum crutches. It is a "wheel on wheel" solution for smooth rotations in both horizontal and vertical planes. That horizontal bicycle wheel will likely be replaced by a scooter or motorcycle wheel, once I am ready to add the load of a generator."

I've attached a short video, zipped up.

Glenn
2007-01-21_165036_Philippe01.zip

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

Bernie the Bolt

Regular Member

Joined: 26/10/2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 45

Posted: 02:46pm 25 Jan 2007

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Brilliant ! It's urban art with a real function - It's an entertaining art work and produces free power !
More projects like this will bring small scale AE into the general public view/awareness.

Bernie the Bolt

I'd rather be sailing!

Rich

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Joined: 22/01/2007
Location: United States
Posts: 2

Posted: 10:56pm 26 Jan 2007

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I just saw the video of the thing working. Turns very smoothly.

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Hi-Desert-Winds-Store

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