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Forum Index : Windmills : Gentle annie generator first attempt
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waggawind Newbie  Joined: 17/07/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 18 |
This is my first attempt at a generator of any size. It has a 1.1 metre blade diameter using pvc. The gentle annie motor is wired up using the high impedance windings and connected in delta. Bridge rectifiers mounted on top and dc wiring down thru mast. I'm having some trouble with the yawing side of things and it doesn't track the wind well until wind is strong. The gentle annie motor is bad for cogging but I didn't want this generator to run all the time (only charging battery for jump starting)so not a huge problem. I'm happy with it as a first attempt but I'm learning so I'll make some improvements for my next generator. I spent only $10 all up so I'm happy. 
Somewhere on the Murrumbidgee |
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robbo Regular Member  Joined: 25/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 71 |
Hey Waggawind. I love the fact that you only spent 10 dollars on the whole thing. How Kewl. Extend the tail back another foot or so, and this will help with the pivot into the wind. Is this furling?, the design looks like it will move (If winds arent too strong out there, then you may not need furling. I used mine for months without any furling at all). Also note your blades may be too close to the pole. PVC can flex especially under strong wind, so best to move them forward a bit. Try a bigger blade set as well for more power -remember, the higher the blade sweep area, the more power can go into your motor. Mine is about 2.2metres. I think its a great start. You tend to look everywhere for parts you can scrounge to use, such as pvc, metal pipes etc. Its almost addictive. Keep experimenting, and learn heaps. '  '''''
Rob. "the Earth was not given to us, by our fathers, rather, it is lent to us by our children". |
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| waggawind Newbie Joined: 17/07/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 18 |
Thanks for the feedback Rob. The tail is furling but I have locked it up so it doesn't. I'll extend the tail and see how it goes. Will make some bigger blades so it starts a little easier. The alternator is mounted forward of the mast so the blades shouldn't hit the mast. I think it's just the angle of the photo. I'll give a 1 metre blade design a go so diameter should be similar to what you suggest. Most of the parts come from the junk yard including the gentle annie motor and a box of bridge rectifiers/heavy duty relays. Cheers Alf Somewhere on the Murrumbidgee |
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| robbo Regular Member Joined: 25/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 71 |
Great, will look forward to seeing some picks. What voltage output are you getting? Is this an alternator from a car ? as most alternators wont get enough rpm for the right volts. Larger blades (I used 12 inch pvc pipe for mine), help out very well. but it will be a compromise between wind capture area, and weight. I remember finding my pvc, halfway in the dirt in a muddy backyard. I wasn't sure if it was sewerage I was washing out, or not. Have fun. "the Earth was not given to us, by our fathers, rather, it is lent to us by our children". |
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5119 |
Hi Alf. Its good to see these windmills made from junkyard bits, nice work. $10 is pretty good too. I agree with robbo, the tail needs to go further back to make the windmill stable, especially in light winds. An extra foot would make all the difference, but go for 2 just to be sure 
Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| waggawind Newbie Joined: 17/07/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 18 |
Thanks for the replies. The gentle annie motor is an early f&p washing machine design. I'm getting about 400-300mV above my battery voltage in strong wind. Not sure about current (no ammeter installed yet)but my battery voltage is normally about 1 volt higher after an hour of strong wind. As I'm only jump starting the rideon weekly with it I'm happy so far. Will mod the tail and make some bigger blades. I'm keeping an eye out for some large pvc pipe. No luck yet so stuck with 100mm. Cheers Somewhere on the Murrumbidgee |
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| robbo Regular Member Joined: 25/03/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 71 |
Not sure how good the gentle annie can do, but the Fisher and Paykel on this website produce up to 300 watts per motor. Thats up to 25amps. I've seen my batts skip way over 13.7 volts when it is charging. Sometimes up to 16 volts. (this is a very inaccurate way of measuring amps!). Yours might be doing 1- 2 amps at a guess. What revs per minute are you doing? If your wind is big, then maybe you could get a lot more out of mills ? Hint : if you dont have a windmeter then geuss, is it doing more than 1 rev per second (60 revs per minute)-low speed), or 2 revs per second (120 Revs per minute) etc. Have a look at my items for sale, got 300 watts from these, (Cheap shot !) Will give you ideas. http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/FORUM1/forum_posts.asp?T ID=1656&PN=1  "the Earth was not given to us, by our fathers, rather, it is lent to us by our children". |
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| brucedownunder2 Guru  Joined: 14/09/2005 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1548 |
Hello Wagga wind,,, I have 3 of those Gentle Annie PM motors, they have Aluminium windings ,lots of starts and finishes to play with . I found crimp connectors or screw downs were the way to go for connections. Must be 15 years back now that I fiddled around with them ,even took one apart and recovered the magnets. I think I tried many combinations of connections ,but the output was fairly dismal compared to the F&P or a tape drive motor.. Good luck with your venture,allways interesting to hear of guys doing something different.. Bruce Bushboy |
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| waggawind Newbie Joined: 17/07/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 18 |
The gentle annie isn't the best alternator around but it was a simple build first up with plenty of studs protruding from the outer housing for mounting. I think a couple of amps during a good blow is probably correct but I don't need much more than this at the moment. The best thing with this smaller mill was that the mast assy was easy to construct. Anything larger will need more height and support cables so it gets more expensive and time consuming. I'm just taking small steps at the moment. Eventually I would like to have a battery bank that powers all of the loads in my 2 sheds and my garage. This will take some time so I'm just playing for the moment. Cheers Alf Somewhere on the Murrumbidgee |
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