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imsmooth

Senior Member

Joined: 07/02/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 214

Posted: 12:30am 29 May 2008

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How do most of you connect your cable to the stator? Is it just three wires, eventually needing to be unspun as the windmill rotates; or, do you use a ring-like connection that allows 360 degrees of movement on top, but leaves the cable stationary?

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 02:25am 29 May 2008

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Hi imsmooth,

this depends on the location. If the winds are predominantly from the same direction, then the cable can be directly connected. If the winds tend to follow a cyclic pattern, as is common where I live, then you could consider a slip ring arrangement.

The slip rings do present slightly increased resistance compared to the straight wire, and there may be long term aspects with maintenance.

I would put slip rings in. Gordon.

become more energy aware

dazz
Regular Member

Joined: 15/04/2008
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Posts: 78

Posted: 12:58pm 29 May 2008

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Hi imsmooth,

98% of our wind comes from between S and N on the western side. Winds on the other side, when they do happen are almost always light. So I'm going to have two stops on the rotation of the windmill to keep it within the important 180�
I'm going to have the cable free fall through the centre of the pole so that it has plenty of room to twist 180� and back without stressing the copper wire.

Daryl

Gill

Senior Member

Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 08:40am 30 May 2008

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Dazz,
Not a good idea mate, unless you have 'lay back' or other more suitable type of furling.
The most commonly used is side furling and it requires the yaw bearing and prop shaft to yaw a further 90deg to the tail. So with wind from 180deg you would need 270deg min to allow for furling in this area of use.

It is generally considered not a good idea to restrict yawing from a damage/safety point of view. Just something more to consider.

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

dazz
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Joined: 15/04/2008
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Posts: 78

Posted: 09:01am 30 May 2008

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Thanks Gill

Another trap for new players!
So perhaps one stop to stop it continually roating and twisting the cable? Or is even this much restriction on Yaw not a good idea?

I really thought I could get away with no slip rings since I have such a restricted useful wind arc

Daryl

Gill

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Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 09:53am 30 May 2008

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If indeed 98% of your wind comes from a restricted range of directions (as mine does here), why not just drop the cable down the centre of the pole as you are doing, and at the bottom put a connector?

Use an Anderson or similar type connector then unplug to take out any twist that occurs. You'll find it's never as much as you'd expect. A twist or two in cable over the length that is in the mast is not an issue and it sure saves a packet in time and money when building.

For off grid users a check of batteries, outputs, solar panel washing, ect.ect. on a regular basis is part of the lifestyle, so unclipping the cable and checking for twist is no big deal just part of the routine.

Slip rings are nice but not essential. I'd rather unclip than add a limit stop and risk damage.

Well that's my opinion.Edited by Gill 2008-05-31

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 10:58am 30 May 2008

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Hi Gill,

I had intended to try and go with the cable down the pole, but the winds where I live follow a cyclic pattern. Sometimes daily with a sea breeze/land breeze cycle and a longer every week to 10 days or so with the weather high/low cycle. I have slip rings in the yaw box.

Dazz should have no trouble building a well designed slip ring assembly. I had also wondered about the limits on the direction. You have covered this aspect well. There can be no restriction to the yaw. Depending on the strength of the stop, either the stop will fail, or the axle.. Gordon.

become more energy aware

KiwiJohn
Guru

Joined: 01/12/2005
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 691

Posted: 01:13am 31 May 2008

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A stop will also put torsion loads on your mast.

dazz
Regular Member

Joined: 15/04/2008
Location:
Posts: 78

Posted: 10:46am 31 May 2008

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I'm convinced. thanks guys.
I love the clip idea. didn't fancy climbing the windmill and rotating the opposite direction a few times

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