Posted by clare on December 14, 2014, 5:19 am
On Sat, 13 Dec 2014 17:08:25 -0600, Paul Dudley
>On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:54:10 -0600, Paul Dudley wrote:
>
>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>
>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights in
>> my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w inverter
>> hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run my drill,
>> recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun the panels
>> barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors lawn decor
>> windmill full speed.
>>
>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them but
>> can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>
>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered trying
>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>> one ?]
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Paul
>
> Hey Y'alls... Just checked in to look at replies. Still cookin'. Some
> of the 'home alternator' motors are designed with two magnet rotors
> circling the stator. Double the power. Then as mentioned pulley ratio
> power ( or gear ). But no. Not a car alt/gen. But they also talk 6 - 10
> foot blades. I've decided to go with(3)26" blades to start. I'm quite
> the newbie at this stuff and I need to suppliment my solar panels on
> cloudy but windy spells. My use so far ( [3] 35ah 12 volt battery bank-
> 2k-4k inverter ) is to provide lights and some 110 power in my barn.
> Nothing to do with departing the grid at the house. I did the PVC blades.
> 3 of them.
>
> From stuff I've read lately the treadmill motors are low rev as a
> generator and good for windmill/turbine. Plus it's DC. Ready to hit
> the batteries. I'd like to try one and if it helps suppliment the
> batteries then I'll go for more. Still in learning. Hell .. I just
> recently learned what a diode is. And how/where it's used. Havin'
> fun in the mean time.
>
> Thanks again to all who've posted.
>
> Paul
The volts per RPM ratio favours using higher voltage motors as
generators for wind power. 40 volt computer tape motors work
reasonably well, while 90 volt treadmill motors have a much better
chance of putting out useable power, particularly with an active
voltage controller (downconverter)
Posted by amdx on December 14, 2014, 2:05 pm
On 12/13/2014 5:08 PM, Paul Dudley wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:54:10 -0600, Paul Dudley wrote:
>
>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>
>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights in
>> my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w inverter
>> hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run my drill,
>> recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun the panels
>> barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors lawn decor
>> windmill full speed.
>>
>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them but
>> can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>
>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered trying
>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>> one ?]
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Paul
>
> Hey Y'alls... Just checked in to look at replies. Still cookin'. Some
> of the 'home alternator' motors are designed with two magnet rotors
> circling the stator. Double the power. Then as mentioned pulley ratio
> power ( or gear ). But no. Not a car alt/gen. But they also talk 6 - 10
> foot blades. I've decided to go with(3)26" blades to start.
Some fun facts:
If you double the size of you propeller, you will have 4 times more
energy available. (You can change the size of your propeller.)
Wind power is proportional to the third power of the wind speed; the
available power increases eightfold when the wind speed doubles.
(You can move, but generally you are stuck with the wind at your site.)
I'm quite
> the newbie at this stuff and I need to suppliment my solar panels on
> cloudy but windy spells. My use so far ( [3] 35ah 12 volt battery bank-
> 2k-4k inverter ) is to provide lights and some 110 power in my barn.
> Nothing to do with departing the grid at the house. I did the PVC blades.
> 3 of them.
>
What site did you use for the propeller info/template?
> From stuff I've read lately the treadmill motors are low rev as a
> generator and good for windmill/turbine. Plus it's DC. Ready to hit
> the batteries. I'd like to try one and if it helps supplement the
> batteries then I'll go for more. Still in learning. Hell .. I just
> recently learned what a diode is. And how/where it's used. Havin'
> fun in the mean time.
Have you decided how you are going to regulate the voltage to
properly charge your batteries when you have a wide variance in
wind speed?
Mikek
Posted by Jim Wilkins on December 14, 2014, 4:16 pm
> On 12/13/2014 5:08 PM, Paul Dudley wrote:
>
> Have you decided how you are going to regulate the voltage to
> properly charge your batteries when you have a wide variance in
> wind speed?
>
> Mikek
When I connect my small solar panels to my tractor battery to top it
off, instead of unplugging and bringing out the controller I put a
homebrew LM317 voltage regulator and one of these in series:
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
and set the voltage to 14.8V to bring the battery up quickly, or
around 14.0 if it will be left on charge a long time.
Watch out for the battery backfeeding the wiring, which is dangerous.
The input diode in my Harbor Freight controller failed short and
allowed that.
These are nice for larger currents and voltages:
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
Mine actually resolves current to 0.2A although it displays to 0.01A,
so it's not good for float charging.
-jsw
Posted by New Guy on December 14, 2014, 6:11 pm
On Sun, 14 Dec 2014 08:05:46 -0600, amdx wrote:
> On 12/13/2014 5:08 PM, Paul Dudley wrote:
>> On Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:54:10 -0600, Paul Dudley wrote:
>>
>>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>>
>>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights
>>> in my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w
>>> inverter hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run
>>> my drill, recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun
>>> the panels barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors
>>> lawn decor windmill full speed.
>>>
>>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them
>>> but can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>>
>>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered
>>> trying
>>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>>> one ?]
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Paul
>>
>> Hey Y'alls... Just checked in to look at replies. Still cookin'.
>> Some
>> of the 'home alternator' motors are designed with two magnet rotors
>> circling the stator. Double the power. Then as mentioned pulley ratio
>> power ( or gear ). But no. Not a car alt/gen. But they also talk 6 -
>> 10 foot blades. I've decided to go with(3)26" blades to start.
>
> Some fun facts:
> If you double the size of you propeller, you will have 4 times more
> energy available. (You can change the size of your propeller.)
>
> Wind power is proportional to the third power of the wind speed; the
> available power increases eightfold when the wind speed doubles.
> (You can move, but generally you are stuck with the wind at your site.)
I wanted to start off with the 26 inch blades I've already made. And
yes I have considered larger blades. Got to get my feet wet first.
>
> I'm quite
>> the newbie at this stuff and I need to suppliment my solar panels on
>> cloudy but windy spells. My use so far ( [3] 35ah 12 volt battery
>> bank- 2k-4k inverter ) is to provide lights and some 110 power in my
>> barn. Nothing to do with departing the grid at the house. I did the
>> PVC blades.
>> 3 of them.
>>
> What site did you use for the propeller info/template?
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-I-built-an-electricity-producing-wind-
turbine/step2/Making-the-blades/
Actually there were quite a few..
>
>> From stuff I've read lately the treadmill motors are low rev as a
>> generator and good for windmill/turbine. Plus it's DC. Ready to hit
>> the batteries. I'd like to try one and if it helps supplement the
>> batteries then I'll go for more. Still in learning. Hell .. I just
>> recently learned what a diode is. And how/where it's used. Havin'
>> fun in the mean time.
>
> Have you decided how you are going to regulate the voltage to
> properly charge your batteries when you have a wide variance in
> wind speed?
>
> Mikek
I would purchase a voltage controller like the one that came with my
PV kit (HF).
Posted by Jim Wilkins on December 14, 2014, 6:31 pm
> On Sun, 14 Dec 2014 08:05:46 -0600, amdx wrote:
>
>>
>> Have you decided how you are going to regulate the voltage to
>> properly charge your batteries when you have a wide variance in
>> wind speed?
>>
>> Mikek
>
> I would purchase a voltage controller like the one that came with
> my
> PV kit (HF).
Be very sure it can handle the maximum unloaded voltage from the
windmill in a strong wind when the controller stops drawing current
because the battery is fully charged. The HF solar panel controller
only barely meets its specifications.
XML site map
>
>> I've recently began to dabble with PV and since we do tend to get some
>> good breezes (Harnett County NC)I've decided to try my luck at wind
>> turbine energy as well. I've been reading about how people turn a
>> treadmill motor into a generator.
>>
>> My PV is the HF 45 watt set. It does a great job of providing lights in
>> my barn (it comes with 2 12vdc lights). I have an HF 2000/4000w inverter
>> hanging off it and when the batteries are fully charged I run my drill,
>> recip-saw or circ-saw etc. But certain days with lack of sun the panels
>> barely push 11.8v. Yet the wind is blowing my neighbors lawn decor
>> windmill full speed.
>>
>> 1 ) I've run up on a Roadmaster Corp Vitamaster 500 treadmill for $0.
>> Does anyone know what sort of motor it would have and would it be
>> suitable for said needs ? I've searched the web for any info on them but
>> can't seem to find any manuals or info.
>>
>> 2) If the above motor wouldn't be suitable than I've considered trying
>> to rebuild a ceiling fan into an alternator. Anyone have any luck with
>> one ?]
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Paul
>
> Hey Y'alls... Just checked in to look at replies. Still cookin'. Some
> of the 'home alternator' motors are designed with two magnet rotors
> circling the stator. Double the power. Then as mentioned pulley ratio
> power ( or gear ). But no. Not a car alt/gen. But they also talk 6 - 10
> foot blades. I've decided to go with(3)26" blades to start. I'm quite
> the newbie at this stuff and I need to suppliment my solar panels on
> cloudy but windy spells. My use so far ( [3] 35ah 12 volt battery bank-
> 2k-4k inverter ) is to provide lights and some 110 power in my barn.
> Nothing to do with departing the grid at the house. I did the PVC blades.
> 3 of them.
>
> From stuff I've read lately the treadmill motors are low rev as a
> generator and good for windmill/turbine. Plus it's DC. Ready to hit
> the batteries. I'd like to try one and if it helps suppliment the
> batteries then I'll go for more. Still in learning. Hell .. I just
> recently learned what a diode is. And how/where it's used. Havin'
> fun in the mean time.
>
> Thanks again to all who've posted.
>
> Paul