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Ben
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Joined: 10/08/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 18

Posted: 10:09am 29 Feb 2008

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Hi I have made a mill with an 80 series as per the plans on this site .I had made blades 2.4m diam hugh piggot design.My problem now is on my furling,my mill does not furl much .I made my tail from a piece of roofing iron .I know I need to make it lighter or should I reduce the angel of tilt or should I shorten the tail.It is currently 1.2 m long 20mm tube ,the tail fin is about 300mm x250mm.
On a different topic I think I read that you can get the RPM of the mill from the power .If so how do you do this,my mill is 3 phase.

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5116

Posted: 11:35am 29 Feb 2008

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Hi Ben

The best bet is to make the tail lighter. You can shorten the tail, but this can make the windmill "hunt" around. See what you can get your hands on, a bit of aluminum or even plywood will do as a test. The 20mm tail boom could also be too heavy, a broom handle could work as a light temporary replacement.

To accurately measure the RPM you need to measure the AC frequency from the alternator. Do you have access to a oscilloscope or multimeter capable of measuring Hz?

Glenn

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

AMUN-RA

Senior Member

Joined: 10/03/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 144

Posted: 02:03am 01 Mar 2008

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ben didyou make your blades if so what timber did you ues i need to make some myself

Every day the sun shines
& gravity sucks= free energy.

martinjsto

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Joined: 09/10/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 149

Posted: 12:37pm 05 Mar 2008

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i have made a few blades from timber,
i have found some timbers moisture content can adversly affect the weight of each individual blades therefor the final ballance.
the best i have used is the lamminated construction or marine timber, it has a very even moisture content and is structualy sound,
mine have been working for a few yrs now and havnot been affected by weather, apart from the varnish.
martin

free power for all
McAlinden WA

Ben
Newbie

Joined: 10/08/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 18

Posted: 12:21am 08 Mar 2008

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Sorry have been away .I made my blades from Hoop Pine from QLD they make aircraft propellers from it.I coated my blades in resin and put fiberglass on the leading edge near the tips .
With the Hertz ,if I have 50 Hz on my 3 phase mill is that 50 rpm.

Gill

Senior Member

Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 03:50am 08 Mar 2008

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Ben,
Thanks for the Hoop Pine advice. I have a mate wanting to make timber blades soon, so a great help. Thanks.

Answering last question is 'no', off topic so will just give this link in answer. If you need to pursue this subject further, maybe a new topic?

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

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