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mossy

Newbie

Joined: 12/06/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 3

Posted: 09:07am 12 Jun 2007

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Hi,

I very much like the look of the Lenz turbine, but I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about the drum-type, as shown below. I don't know what they're called. How do they compare with the Lenz in what counts, eg slow startup, reliability, and whether you can leave it running when you're not around? (I have a "hobby farm" 2 1/2 hours away).

Also I'm interested in what is the right kind of generator or alternator for feeding power into the grid, which is what I want to make my generator for.

Thanks,
SteveEdited by mossy 2007-06-13

vawtman

Senior Member

Joined: 14/09/2006
Location: United States
Posts: 146

Posted: 04:31pm 13 Jun 2007

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Hi Steve

Its made by Pacwind and believe this model is called the Seahawk rated at 10kw.
I love it.
Would be hard to homebrew however.

Its running a geared up axial flux now but im sure one could gear up a motor to grid tie.The very high solidity will limit its rotational speed in high winds i think and with the airfoil shape of each blade instead of being just thin steel(attic ventilatorish)It should develop high torque to keep turning when things fire up.

My thoughts for ya

mossy

Newbie

Joined: 12/06/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 3

Posted: 06:25am 14 Jun 2007

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Thanks Vawtman. My interest in the drum-type is partly that they seem to vary considerably in the different shapes I've seen so it must be fairly forgiving in terms of design. The one I showed is not even as high as the diameter, wheras the Pacwind one is very high and narrrow. Also you see them with curved vanes and straight ones etc. For that reason I figured it would be easier to get it right, and it seems structurally simple. I have the aluminium siding from an old caravan (the American word would be "trailer" lol) which would be ideal for a drum-type. I think I'll give both of them a try and see which one wins.

cheers,
Steve

vawtman

Senior Member

Joined: 14/09/2006
Location: United States
Posts: 146

Posted: 12:23pm 14 Jun 2007

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Oops, http://www.pacwind.net/ its the alpha series and not the seahawk.

Have fun with your projects Steve

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