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Forum Index : Windmills : Power curve of F&P Smartdrive

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Kenneth
Newbie

Joined: 11/11/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 3

Posted: 01:29am 11 Nov 2008

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Could anyone direct me to a windspeed vs power curve for the F&P Smartdrive. I am especially interested in what response I might get in normal wind patterns on the east coast of Australia.

Ken

GWatPE

Senior Member

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

Posted: 07:25am 11 Nov 2008

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Hi Ken, I doubt there will be any such curve. These are not a commercial windmill, so there are many variables in blades, loading, etc that change any relationship. My F&P mill with 8' rotor, has produced 600W @ 420rpm in 10m/s winds. You should build a unit and then you are able to make some mods, to see if there is improvement. This is what most F&P builders have done. If you use scrapped stuff, then any power harvested is a plus, and any improvement is then a bonus.

Gordon.

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Kenneth
Newbie

Joined: 11/11/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 3

Posted: 10:50pm 11 Nov 2008

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I've recently gotten the bug. I am trying to determine where to start. It=seems that the F&P is a good place=2C but=2C what do you think about those=LG's or another gen?Ken

Ken

KiwiJohn
Guru

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

Posted: 01:13am 12 Nov 2008

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Kenneth, I have seen people pour scorn on the F&P regarding design and efficiency but the fact remains this is the machine for which there is a wealth of experience and advice available on this site. Besides, nothing comes much cheaper than a F&P!

GWatPE

Senior Member

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

Posted: 02:07am 12 Nov 2008

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Hi Ken, what is the =2C bit. My Google search comes back with a drug related reference. I hope it is just an emoticon problem.

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Kenneth
Newbie

Joined: 11/11/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 3

Posted: 04:39am 12 Nov 2008

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I haven't a clue how that =2c got in my email. What I weanted to know is do you think the LG might be a better and cheaper design to start with even though most experience is with the F&P? Or are there other more promising motorsto start with?

Thanks Ken

Ken

GWatPE

Senior Member

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

Posted: 05:13am 12 Nov 2008

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I would go for the F&P, as there are many man years of info on this site. There is little info on the LG. If you make a new bearing assembly, then either would do. There have been comments by others re LG on this forum. Do a search on LG and a lot should be revealed.

Gordon.

PS edit.

WRT your initial query. I would expect a F&P mill with 2.4m rotor with a half decent blade will easily produce 100-300W in 7-10m/s winds. Check the suitable winding configs on this site for your battery system voltage. A lot of people have provided this info in a useful format.

I suspect that you intend to program a grid connect inverter with some data points. I doubt much testing has been done with this application in mind. I use my grid inverter as a diversion load. I do not expect to ever pay off the cost of it with excess wind energy alone. I budgeted with savings in imported power. The battery/240Vinverter gives me some independence from the grid, that would not be available with a grid inverter. I am eventually looking at other energy management and storage options for when the grid is unavailable. [cold fusion would be good].
Edited by GWatPE 2008-11-13

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