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Forum Index : Windmills : Here’s the stepper turbine test

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adric22
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Joined: 06/08/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 47

Posted: 01:14pm 20 Aug 2008

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Okay, after much experimenting and reading on this site, I think I've come up with the beginnings of a test system. Here is what I built:

I used a plastic bucket for the blades, a piece of steel for the hub, and a stepper motor for the generator.

I did manage to get over 12V out of the stepper motor turning it by hand using the voltage doubling circuit for stepper motors. However, I haven't been able to see this thing spin in the wind yet because as of last night we have had zero winds here. Which is murphy's law because it has been windy for months and only stopped yesterday.

Hopefully when I get home today there will be some wind and I can hold it up with my hand and see how much voltage I will get from it.

Also, the hub is currently connected to the stepper only from the fact that I drilled the hole in the steel very close to the size of the gear on the end of the stepper. So I had to use a hammer to lightly tap it in there. I would think over time, this would come off. I was thinking of epoxy or hitting it with my welder. But if I hit it with the welder, I'm not sure what the heat would do to the inside of the stepper motor if it travelled down the motor shaft.

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5117

Posted: 11:01pm 20 Aug 2008

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Be carefull when holding any windmill by hand. If it speeds up too fast, dont turn it out of the wind to quickly. You see gyroscopic forces will come in to play, you turn one way and the windmill will want to bend down, hitting your legs, turn the other way and it could take out your eye. Just something to be aware of.

Glenn

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

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Joined: 19/07/2008
Location: United States
Posts: 33

Posted: 06:47am 22 Aug 2008

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I like the "bucket blade" idea for smaller motors.

What size is your shaft? you should be able to zap it with a quick spot weld if you dont plant to take the hub off anymore without hurting it. If your worried, wrap a damp rag around it while welding?

I have a wire feed welder which will put a very quick spot weld, If you have a stick machine, I would use a very small rod.

Good luck.

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