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Forum Index : Windmills : Tons of Research on Bearings

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node4

Newbie

Joined: 15/08/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2

Posted: 11:39am 15 Aug 2009

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I have looked all over the web for bearings. I have found to pillow case bearings, and flange bearings (pricey), but I am looking for mast bearings. The bearing that goes on the top of the mast (between the mast and windmill allowing it to rotate), and the windmill of Vertical axis turbine mounts to. I can't find them anywhere. If anyone can give me a good source for bearings, please send me the URL
Thanks
Jay

montyLalor

Newbie

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

Posted: 12:39pm 15 Aug 2009

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SKF Bearings

I found this page very useful!

Luke

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

floodrod
Regular Member

Joined: 08/07/2009
Location:
Posts: 70

Posted: 12:43pm 15 Aug 2009

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http://universal-radio.com/catalog/hamrot/ysurot.html

At the bottom is the GS-050. It fits between a 1-2" mast and is $33 (USA BASED)

Just have to make sure it is mounted the right way so water doesn't run into the bearing

MacGyver

Guru

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

Posted: 02:47pm 15 Aug 2009

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I've seen car hubs used for this kind of thing.

Personally, I make my own bearings; I use a "bushing" rather than a
"bearing".

I found out a long time ago that the less you leave vulnerable to the
weather, the better off you are. To that end, I use bushings with a
running fit of about .001 and keep them as far from each other as I can
get them. I often run drill rod (stainless) against Delrin (plastic) using
lithium grease. This lasts seemingly forever and runs cool, while running
true and is capable of huge side loads from the windmill shifting direction
in the wind. The trick is to keep them as far apart as you can.

If I were to do a VAWT, I'd use the car hub idea. Those use a sealed
Timkin tapered roller bearings and they're inside a hub that you can put a
cap onto so as to keep moisture out. A VAWT is a 'drag' design, so it's
not going to go much faster than the wind is moving and heat from
friction should not be a problem.

Unless you're swimming in cash, most of the rest of us rely on "dumpster
diving" as a source for materials. You'd be amazed at what folks toss into
the trash!

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

Tinker

Guru

Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 03:54pm 15 Aug 2009

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You may get some suitable (used) bearings for free from 4WD shops. Ask if they have any wheel bearings that were replaced for new ones. For the slow turning at the top of your tower some slight wear on the bearing is acceptable. I am using a set of Toyota tapered roller wheel bearings for a project, they are of my own 4WD car and I saved them when I replaced the wheel bearings some time ago. They are not sealed though, one needs to engineer a suitable cover to keep the grease clean.

Klaus

greengoblin
Newbie

Joined: 03/03/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 14

Posted: 11:54am 16 Aug 2009

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Hi, i have thought about using the neck of a bicycle or even a motorbike neck where the forks attach. Havent tried it out yet though so not sure on weather it would be successful.

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