View Full Version : Wind Turbine / Generator...Anyone building / built one??
ptrott
7th April 2008, 11:36 PM
Hi all.
I am wondering if there are any members who have, or who are contemplating, building a wind turbine generator, particularly Australian members and particularly if they are using the Fisher & Paykel motor as a generation unit.
Also, has anyone found an "active" Australian forum dealing with the subject?
Cheers,
Phill.
Burnsy
7th April 2008, 11:40 PM
There has been a guy in Perth selling complete units for just under $5000 on ebay, might be worth tracking him down, it has been a few weeks since I read his speil but it did indicate that he knew what he was talking about. Myself, I don't know anything about them.
Uncle Bob
8th April 2008, 08:54 AM
There's a couple of guys over here on this forum http://www.austech.info/electronics/ that could help you. One of them (Bluedog I think) runs his entire place on solely on renewable energy (solar & wind).
echnidna
8th April 2008, 05:01 PM
Hi all.
I am wondering if there are any members who have, or who are contemplating, building a wind turbine generator, particularly Australian members and particularly if they are using the Fisher & Paykel motor as a generation unit.
Also, has anyone found an "active" Australian forum dealing with the subject?
Cheers,
Phill.
Can you give any info on the motor you refer to?
ptrott
8th April 2008, 07:50 PM
Thanks Burnsey & Bob, I'll follow up those leads.
echnidna, the motor is a washing machine motor from a Smart-Drive machine...
see here...http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/AssemblyA.asp#3
Cheers,
Phill.
Master Splinter
13th April 2008, 01:26 AM
You can buy wind turbines from Jaycar Electronics (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MG4510&CATID=50&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=855). $499 gets you a 24 volt, 200 watt unit.
They also have all the control equipment, deep cycle batteries and all that sort of stuff, as well.
There's a manual on that page that may give you further ideas.
Uncle Bob
13th April 2008, 11:07 AM
Sorry to say Master Splinter, but what I've heard is that those jaycar turbine and solar panels ain't much chop. Ok for a hobbyist, but not much good for a serious installation.
echnidna
13th April 2008, 12:20 PM
Uncle Bob, I had a look around and it seems that the main problems may be with the controller system and not the generator.
Any further info you could give will be appreciated.
Uncle Bob
13th April 2008, 04:26 PM
Bob, hi. I don't have any hard info, just what I read on the Austech forum. There was a good thread on alternative energy, sadly though it's been lost since their site crashed. There was even a thread regarding converting these very same F&P motors.
ScottH
15th April 2008, 12:37 AM
I'm in the middle... kinda... of building one. As I live in the middle of suburbia, i don't think my neighbours would appreciate having an 8 metre turbine towering above the roof line, so I'm looking at building a small (less than 1 metre high) vertical turbine (savonius) as a practice run.
The magnets arrived last week, just need to find a cheap source of enamelled wire... And grab some scrap bits of wood/flue from onsite.
I did look at the F&P, but couldn't find any going cheap - same goes for the ametek a couple of sites recommend.
Clinton1
15th April 2008, 01:34 PM
I asked a queston here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=69435) about windmills for pumping water, and got a heap of links... some of them include info with respect to elec generation.
Hope it may be of use.
dan76
17th April 2008, 02:24 PM
bit of a hijack, but ia m doing some looking around on grid connected wind power my house and had found these
http://www.renewablestore.com.au/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_87&products_id=658
seem to be a good idea not needing inverters or battery banks,has anyone heard anything about them?
thanks, dan
echnidna
18th April 2008, 12:04 AM
they're sold out
dan76
18th April 2008, 01:50 AM
lol
dan76
18th April 2008, 01:53 AM
they have either been not available or sold out for ages , so i thought someone would know of them if they are so popular.
you can buy them in the usa for AUD$4600 or so but i dont know postage would cost
edit : just got a quote of $1100 per unit for shipping, im assuming this us dolars too.
ptrott
19th April 2008, 03:26 PM
Thanks everyone for your input & suggestions.
I finally found this site which also has a very active & useful forum which covers Windmills, Solar, associated electronics & controls, and even electric cars.
http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/FORUM1/default.ASP
Cheers.
dan76
19th April 2008, 06:11 PM
good link thanks,