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BBDrums Newbie Joined: 29/06/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 11
Posted: 05:14am 29 Jun 2008
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Hows it going Homegrown?
simple questions; new to the Diy wind turbine and would like to try it, recomendations? sites to check out? research sites?
Will be grid connected and would like to reduce my bill without reducing my wallet. Glad I found a forum with people that know what they are doing.
I plan on researching and taking daily wind readings and talking to you fine folk for a yr before I attempt to start to build. ME drummer. I like to hit things ;)
AMUN-RA Senior Member Joined: 10/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 144
Posted: 08:39am 29 Jun 2008
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why wait a year start making mistakes now you'll learn more MickEvery day the sun shines
& gravity sucks= free energy.
robbo Regular Member Joined: 25/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 71
Posted: 12:33pm 29 Jun 2008
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Most people start on the Mini Mill on this website, as it is a great teacher. There are many "unforseen" things you have to work around.
Then move onto a F&P. Type depends on your wind situation.
Best to get in and have a try, and then you will get hooked.
Have fun !
"the Earth was not given to us, by our fathers, rather, it is lent to us by our children".
BBDrums Newbie Joined: 29/06/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 11
Posted: 01:27pm 29 Jun 2008
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Thanks guys!
what do you mean Mini Mill? Is there a special smaller mill as a teachers guide or are you just calling a it that to build a "smaller Mill"?
Whats F&P? Sorry, very new here.
All ready hooked ME drummer. I like to hit things ;)
robbo Regular Member Joined: 25/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 71
Posted: 02:17am 30 Jun 2008
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Try the Info and Projects page of this website,
Here is the link to the mini mill.
http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/assemblyMini1.asp
F and P is the Fisher and Paykel motor that can be scrounged from the Fisher and Paykel washer machines. Any washer that says "smartdrive" on the top will have one.
Have a look thru the pages of this website, and you will see that the whole site revolves around the F&P motor.
They are easy to use, and can be altered to vary to your wind situation.
Although it may be hard to get some of these washers in the States, you can try other types of motors.
Tread mill motors are popular. Or amteck motors are great as well.
Try this website, they will give some more info, and Randy is located in the states.
http://www.randysworkshop.com/
Robbo.
"the Earth was not given to us, by our fathers, rather, it is lent to us by our children".
BBDrums Newbie Joined: 29/06/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 11
Posted: 03:25am 30 Jun 2008
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quick question I use about 20 kw a day what kind of turbine would I need? I think a 3000 watt one, am I right? ME drummer. I like to hit things ;)
KiwiJohn Guru Joined: 01/12/2005 Location: New ZealandPosts: 691
Posted: 04:25am 30 Jun 2008
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Welllll...... a 3000 watt mill would be bigger than most who post here would attempt.
robbo Regular Member Joined: 25/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 71
Posted: 04:39am 30 Jun 2008
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20 KWatts per day = 833 watts PER HOUR !.
Phew. Thats a whole lot to make, especially if you only have wind every now and then. Best to try and Champher off SOME of the bill!
Refer Phils page, where he produced about 3.96 KWs over a 1day period. I am not sure if that is the best on record, but its Darn Good!
http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/articles/Phillm.asp
We all have been there, gotto start small.
Ta. "the Earth was not given to us, by our fathers, rather, it is lent to us by our children".
GWatPE Senior Member Joined: 01/09/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2127
Posted: 05:30am 30 Jun 2008
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Hi BBdrums,
I would be looking at where the power is being used. I would expect you have a fully electrified house and you say it is grid connected. Electricity is used for water heating, heating and cooling the house, cooking and powering domestic type appliances.
Measure consumption of all electric items. Most older homes are non RE friendly. Insulation is poor, that contribites to high heating or cooling loads. Cooking is a low average, but high peak useage. PC and modern Plasma type TV are high usage. Water heating is high usage.
In the environment we now live, we should not continue to maintain high consumption levels. I was able to reduce daily consumption by 1/3 for domestic type appliances, by not leaving things turned on. This included lights, TV, PC etc. I now have a slow combustion fire for heating. I now have a solar hot water system. The house is well insulated and oriented to the sun so it does not require cooling in Summer. The reduced loading meant I only needed 1/2 the PV array size. My windmill produces power for evening lighting and TV and a computer, with unmetered power supplied from battery storage.
I have reduced my power bills to zero, average for the last 2 years with a 2.4kW solar/wind combined system for a family of 3.
A 3kW windmill has at least a 4m rotor dia. You will need a large clear area and a windmill this size has to be up fairly high. This sort of size windmill has to be located away from buildings, trees etc. There are not many locations a windmill this size would suit. If the system is not grid tied, there are issues with battery storage, system voltage, inverters etc.
I would look at a solar/wind, grid connected system if it would suit where you live. .. .. Gordon.
Edited by GWatPE 2008-07-01become more energy aware
BBDrums Newbie Joined: 29/06/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 11
Posted: 01:16pm 30 Jun 2008
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Well put GWatPE. In fact I took the info off my last light bill, don't really know how to read it either. All I know is that I pay about 90-120 US dollars a month. I want to eliminate or reduce this.
I understand I can not just run out and build a system that will support my needs, I plan to copy someone with the same situation as me. By this time next yr (or earlier) I would like to be looking up at a turbine. And possiable a solar panel or two.
ME drummer. I like to hit things ;)
BBDrums Newbie Joined: 29/06/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 11
Posted: 01:17pm 30 Jun 2008
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what if I did a few small ones?
Wait.....thats a wind farm. ME drummer. I like to hit things ;)
BBDrums Newbie Joined: 29/06/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 11
Posted: 06:11pm 30 Jun 2008
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Also another question; what type of generator should I use or make? can't find those F&P motors around here. ME drummer. I like to hit things ;)
Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.
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