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crowdmedia
Newbie

Joined: 19/08/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1

Posted: 04:38am 19 Aug 2009

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This might be a silly and premature question as I am only brainstorming ideas at this stage.

I am considering a VAWT for the sole advantage of lower noise, as the most ideal location for my project is around 50m from my home and our open garden. I would like to produce between 2kw & 5kw if possible with the intention of setting up an grid connected system. Im aware this is a big challenge for a newbie but its a looong term project.

The question is, would it be possible assuming the wind conditions and VAWT was large enough to more or less stack several F&P's to meet my target or would another alternator method for such a task be more fitting?

Just to run over some of my other thoughts. I was looking towards a helical aerofoil design with a shaft down through the tower and placing the gearbox & alternator at ground level for easy maintenance. Apart from wasted energy at the gearbox is there any drawback that would outweigh the advantage of having a majority of the hardware at ground level where its easy to service and protect from the elements?

Also for those experienced, am I crazy or just dreaming big here?

cheers...damien

MacGyver

Guru

Joined: 12/05/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 1329

Posted: 05:25am 19 Aug 2009

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FYI crazy and dreaming go hand in hand in this business. Everything is
possible!

As for a transmission, I'm fond of V-belts; they are quieter and easier to
manufacture and maintain. Whereas a gear will out-and-out cut off your
finger if you get it caught up in the mechanism, a v-belt and pulley will
merely make you wish you were dead and will only rip off limbs in the
most extreme cases!

One of my life's verses is "Simple is best." On that note, might I suggest
you taylor your VAWT to scoop up large amounts of wind and turn slowly?
The helical ones are pretty and look cool, but what you want is a
behemoth lazily wobbling in the breeze.

If you have raw torque, you can mechanically manufacture speed. Get the
fundamentals right and the rest of the items on your wish list are up for
grabs.

Nothing difficult is ever easy!
Perhaps better stated in the words of Morgan Freeman,
"Where there is no struggle, there is no progress!"
Copeville, Texas

montyLalor

Newbie

Joined: 17/12/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 21

Posted: 10:59am 19 Aug 2009

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I'd like to hear some of the ol' stalwart's

views on stacking F&Ps aswell. Their collective experience is worth its weight in gold!

"So are you doin' this project to make us money or cost us money?" she asks again...

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