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Forum Index : Windmills : Unwinding the windmill

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breakingwind

Newbie

Joined: 24/08/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 1

Posted: 05:51pm 23 Aug 2009

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Newbie here. I just recently became interested in wind generators and have spent all weekend on the research of making one. Has anyone figured out how to wire these things without having to unwind the wiring every few weeks? Any thoughts on modifying a car steering wheel as a free spinning axis with pass through electrical hook ups? (i.e. just as the horn or cruise control would be) If the whole steering colum was used, you would have a bearing assisted, worry free windmill that would work wonderfully in the wind. Wright? feel free to bash this idea.

oztules

Guru

Joined: 26/07/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1686

Posted: 10:52pm 23 Aug 2009

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Slip rings need to be engineered well for a long life. This is more rare than you would think. Many fairly engineered ones have run for a while, and finally end up being bypassed. The unwinding is not a frequent as you may think... unless your down low and in messy air.

I would not use a steering wheel assy.... unless it is a little mill.

.........oztules

Village idiot...or... just another hack out of his depth

KiwiJohn
Guru

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

Posted: 08:34am 24 Aug 2009

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Like Oztules says the steering wheel not likely to be suitable. If I am not mistaken modern steering wheels do not have slip rings anyway, they are just a 'clock spring' or plastic with conductive strips which winds and unwinds only two or three turns.

I made one mill with slip rings and the last I heard it was still going strong but maybe I was just lucky!

GWatPE

Senior Member

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

Posted: 10:43pm 24 Aug 2009

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My 2 mills have sliprings. one less chore 2 do. The key is 2 not skimp on materials. Pics are posted on the F&P@PE thread.

Gordon.

become more energy aware

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