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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: jethro on October 02, 2003, 12:52:44

Title: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 02, 2003, 12:52:44

I am trying to build a small wind turbine for my allotment can anyone out help me with this :-/ as i'm going mad trying to find second hand parts :'(

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Mrs Ava on October 02, 2003, 17:14:15

hehehehe, you and a wind turbine, my husband with solar panels!  Boys and their toys!  ;D  What do you want a wind turbine to power? ???

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 02, 2003, 17:26:08

Hi Emmajane, us boys have got nothing else to play with so we go for toys!!!!!!!!  :o I need the turbine for a heat lamp so my poor little chicks (hens not woman) will not freeze to death over the winter, which i think is a valid excuse. anyway thanks for the reply, but what does your husband need the solar panels for? ::)

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: minerva on October 02, 2003, 18:27:36

:P i am a girl and would love a small wind turbine down the lotty, then i could plug in all sorts, kettle, toaster, heater 4 the greenhouse and me, lights, radio, hairdryer, tv, dishwasher,, ect then i could stay down there and leave my boyfriend to cope by himself when he starts being annoying. ;D

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Mrs Ava on October 02, 2003, 20:25:09

Well Jethro, the solar panel plan is to power a small pump from the stream which runs along the back of my plot so I don't have to drag a bucket back and forth.  Now of course, I don't mind dragging the bucket, and I figure once we are settled and got a shed, we will be able to save rainwater into buts, but he, in his infinite wisdom feels that we can harness the suns energy to get water to my plot....hmmm.....I'm not convinced, but I will keep you posted, and who knows, eventually I will get around the getting some pics taken and up on the site.
Minerva - that made me laugh! heheheheh.  I think if there was power to my plottie, I would probably never be home!  ;D

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hugh_Jones on October 06, 2003, 00:50:54

I don`t wish to cast a damper on things Jethro, but has it occurred to you that when the breeze dies down and the thermometer drops to 15 degs. below freezing point your wind turbine won`t go round and your little chicks will all freeze. That`s the trouble with wind turbines - they only work when it`s windy.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 06, 2003, 11:37:37

Hi Hugh i have thought about that and to compensate i'm going to back it up with a solar panel ;) the only trouble with that is what sun do we get in this country :-/ but i can only try my best.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hugh_Jones on October 06, 2003, 16:29:19

Yes, Jethro, but when it`s 2 o`clock in the morning, with no wind and the thermometer at 15 below there won`t BE any sun!  Maybe you should think of incorporating an accumulator into your set up  and either use a transformer or gor for a 12 volt system using 2nd hand car parts and a bar type screen defroster.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 06, 2003, 17:55:51

High Hugh, WHAT!!!!!!! :o you must realise that i'm just a daft Northern lad and haven't got a clue :-/. What is an accumulator and a bar screen defroster? you say they are from cars, but what are they? :-/. Thanks for the reply though, at least someone is trying to help, and the way things are going i could end up with a bottle of elderberry wine and sod the turbines.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hugh_Jones on October 06, 2003, 20:21:22

An accumulator is simply the posh name for a car (or wet cell) battery.  The bar type defroster is a straight 12 volt heating element (usually with rubber suckers for attaching to the windscreen) and a plug for connecting to the cigar lighter. You might also be wise to include a small thermostat so that power is only used below certain temps.  Result: turbine and/or solar panels charge battery, battery powers heater when thermostat dictates.  Occasionally take battery home to charge it up properly.  Of course, you`d have to make sure that the turbine and panels produced 12 volts - hence the possible need for a transformer.

Simple really, but perhaps the elderberry wine would be more fun

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 07, 2003, 14:06:52

Cheers Hugh :) it might take a bit of digesting due to the 2 bottles of wine :-[ so i'll read this later on. ;D

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 08, 2003, 15:44:47

Hi Hugh, Well i've eventually got round to read your reply as the hangovers gone ;D from the wine (it was nice at the time though) I have got some plans for both solar and wind turbines and you were right ;D ;D ;D so with luck i will be starting on saturday 11/10/03 and hopefully it should be up and running by 2007  :P once again thanks for your help, most appreciated. If i need anymore help with anything i know who to contact.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Shuffles on October 08, 2003, 23:29:47

Hi Jethro,

If you're that keen you will find some all sorts of stuff here that will teach you all you want to know about DIY alternative energy projects. It's a US site,but it's pretty huge and maybe a good starting point?

http://www.picoturbine.com/

Hope it's useful...

Paul

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 09, 2003, 15:07:56

Hi Paul, thanks for the 'site', but i've now got all the 'ingredients' for both wind and solar turbines. So on Saturday 11/09/03 i'm starting on the big build (if it's not too windy, at the moment it's blowing a hurricane up here :o). I will let everyone know what happens,( if the wind keeps up i will probably see you all in essex :-[). So once again thanks all for your help.

Live long and prosper. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hugh_Jones on October 10, 2003, 02:15:54

I`m back again Jethro.  I complete forgot to mention in my last posting that one other thing you simply MUST have is a RELAY, which you incorporate into the circuit between the turbine and the Battery.  This is a sort of non-return valve which allows the currect to flow from the turbine to the battery when the turbine is generating, but prevents the current flowing back from the battery to the turbine when turbine is idle.  Might also be a good idea to incorporate one between the solar panels and the battery.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 10, 2003, 15:22:15

Thanks Hugh, relay hmmmm. right lead off Colin Jackson then onto Linforn Christie onto Ben Johnson last but not least Carl Lewis :o, if that relay doesn't work then will have to use electrical one, be a bit slower though :-/. Will definitely report on the outcome of this venture, that is if im not electricuted :P in the process.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Mrs Ava on October 10, 2003, 20:52:49

This harnessing natures energy isn't as easy as you think!  :-/  Problem is.....first hubby was happy to use solar energy to power a pump to get water up to the plot....now...thanks to this post.....he has plans to heat the greenhouse through the winter and get electricity into the shed at the plottie!  Oh well, keeps him out from under my feet I guess.  ;D  Wish he would invent an automated weeder!

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hyacinth on October 10, 2003, 22:59:50

This thread's become as compulsive reading for me as my UFB one was for some of you  ;D Please can we have pics when the Heath Robinson contraptions are in place?

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 13, 2003, 11:52:33

Hi all, well got the thing up ;D it worked well till Sunday when the wind got up too strong and blew the bl**dy thing off the roof :( :(. So now i will have to fix the roof and re-think the fixing  :-/ i guess i need longer bolts or stronger string!!! ???.

Emma the one i've built will run a heat light and one light bulb ;D i'm not sure about the heating of the greenhouse, how big is it :-/ and i will tell you if it would cope? If you need the plans just say and i will post a copy of them to you ;D. The only problem was getting the sturmey thingies ??? ??? that produce the electric.

Alishka promise to post a photgraph of them when i eventually get them running :D ;D :D but don't hold your breath as i'm getting sick of it at the moment what with all the other work to be donr in the lottie :( :(.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hyacinth on October 13, 2003, 13:40:52

Jethro..."don't hold your breath" you tell me? I haven't got much of it left at the mo...gasping with laughter...

"the wind got up too strong........so now I will have to fix the roof..."

Next episode, please...

;D ;D ;D - Lishka

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 13, 2003, 18:08:46

Hi Alishka, wellllllll the turbine was fixed to the roof naturately with bolts, it was running great ;D ;D ;D turned on the light and WHOOPEE it worked ;D unfortunately the wind got up to gale force 9 ( only a breeze up here) the wind turbine was going like a train, next thing i knew there was a hole in the roof where the turbine was 2 minutes ago ??? :P :o. The turbine was in the next lottie :P with Shaun ( 68 year old Hells Angel) doing his nut as it just missed him by inches :-[ :-/ sorry says I, %&£$%^ says he, and threw it back, so as i have already said
1: fix hole in roof, ;D
2 fix turbine, ;D
3 fix turbine to roof so it doesn't hit Shaun  ;D nd
4 fix Shaun with hammer :o :P
Only joking about 4, he's too big to argue with  :( will let you know what happens next, please god let it be just fine and dandy ;D.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 13, 2003, 18:40:57

Sorry the BOSS came in and had to shut the computer down :o the turbine is a 'savonius' type ( little one) it spins like a top, can you imagine what would have happened if i built the BIG one with blades on :P, i would have been fixing it to the roof, look down and see myself flying over the isle of man :o. Well at least it would have solved the problem of 'Big Shaun'.

If anyone wants copies of the plans get in touch, and i will send them to you ;D, but make sure you don't put it up in windy weather :P :o :P (trust me i'm a doctor i know).

Emma have you tried 'arcamedes screw' is that spelt right? if you use that you don't need a turbine (i think).

Alishka who is Heath Robinson ??? you must realise i'm a daft geordie and only know Stephenson, him who invented the 'Rocket'

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Mrs Ava on October 13, 2003, 18:56:47

;D :D ;D I can't stop laughing  ;D :D ;D  Oh Jethro, that is so funny!  I can just imagine!  LOL!!!  I would love plans of your turbine.  The old man has to build one so that I can enjoy the entertainment watching him take off into the trees! hehehehehehe.  And I have no idea how big my greenhouse is....smallish.....regular kinda greenhouse really - not bloody big enough if the truth be known!  hehehehe....I can't stop chuckling...hehehehe   ;D

Title: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/tRe: wind turbine
Post by: Hyacinth on October 13, 2003, 21:07:27

Jethro, check out the link to Heath Robinson...might he be a relative of yours?
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=452399

Cheers, Lishka

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 16, 2003, 18:42:34

High Emma ;) got the plans, where do i send them ??? as my courier pigeon has just got back from Scotland and is absolutely knackered :-/. Will start round 2 on Saturday (allowing for wind speed) as i've fixed the roof with 1" thick floor boards, if it blows off this time wait for the scream, no doubt you will hear it all around the country. If it sticks i might start off a new tour company :-/ " sheds r us", fly anywhere in the world as long as it's with the wind :P ??? :o. So keep watching as i will post the result next week.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 17, 2003, 16:41:07

Hi Alishka ;D Heath Robinson eh, what a bloke, unfortunately he is not related :( just my luck, imagine having him as a dad the lottie would run itself with all the inventions :-/ . As you know i'm repairing the wind turby thingy on Saturday, on Sunday i'm starting the solar wotchamacallit, (waste of time really as the sun has gone into hibernation) but will try anyway just for the h*ll of it. If it works it will be a miracle as it's built out of junk from various skips in the area ;).

Emma, if your old man builds it to my specs he will clear the trees and land in France. Vive le France as they say in Paris. The plans i've got are for a 5 watt, 120 watt and 300 watt. The one i've built is a 5 watt, imagine if i built the 300 watt WHAT!!!!!, standing here with curly hair and smoking boots :-/ looking at a big hole in the lottie. So as i've said which one do you want ??? only problem they are copywright so don't tell amyone i'm sending it to you (who me officer never heard of the lady) . If you want you can visit www. rainbowtradingpost.co and get anything off there for wind ( settlers are best though) it can even show you how to convert your car to electric ??? i'm not trying that as i like my car's shape the way it is thank you very much :o.
Hope to hear from you both soon

Heath Robinson (junior)

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 20, 2003, 11:28:49

Hi all, DISASTER >:( :( on Saturday i fixed the turbine, it was running great purring like a kitten ;D sat there watching it for a couple of hours grinning like the Cheshire cat thinking of the different ways to use it :P . Sunday, went to the lottie noticed something was different, guess what ??? some little darling had broke into the shed and nicked the thing, also the solar panel etc >:( >:( :o . I sat there nearly crying thinking of all the work i hasd put into it. Called the law, they came and said there was nothing they could do which didn't help my mood :-X. Eventually got over it, went to feed the chooks etc and found that Reynard had got into the pen and killed everything >:( :(, by this time i was ready to commit suicide. Once again sat there trying to cool my temper, did that then went in to look at my leeks in the polytunnel and gues what ??? all my leeks had gone ??? >:( :( . So all in all i have had a good weekend, but i'm not going to let the ba**ards win i'm starting again and this time i'm going to wire up 20,000 volts to everything to make sure they don't get the better of me and hopefully teach them a lesson. So that's my weekend how was yours? ???

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Beer_Belly on October 20, 2003, 14:39:38

Don't let the B@stards get you down mate !

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 20, 2003, 18:18:54

Cheers BB, at the moment i'm sitting at work thinking how to stop the 'darlings', it really gets my back up. So thanks once again for the encouragement ;D.

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: teresa on October 20, 2003, 18:27:18

Oh Jethro does the lottie have any insurance you can claim against? :-/
Put up a sign " Enter at your own risk radio active " and have a skull and cross bones sign as well. ;D
give the B. something to think about they might have to go home on the comp to find out what your talking about heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Teresa

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Tenuse on October 20, 2003, 19:42:06

Oh how awful I am so sorry for you!

It's hard not to think a lot of evil nasty thoughts when something like this happens - but I heard a nice idea a few years ago:


If you see the glass not as half full or half empty, but as already broken, if your glass ever breaks, just say, "Ah, there it goes."

Or, in this case, leeks gone etc....


Oh well!

Ten x

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hyacinth on October 21, 2003, 02:15:28

What a b. awful weekend, Jethro. I'm so sorry.

News of your wind turbine had gone transatlantic, btw. on Friday, when I sent off choice extracts of this thread...

Concorde, eat your heart out

[/color]

No wonder your local Plod couldn't do anything - perhaps Interpol should have been informed?

All the best - Lishka

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: Hugh_Jones on October 21, 2003, 02:43:12

If you build a big enough turbine to generate 20,000 volts, Jethro, you`ll be able to floodlight the entire lottie and have alarm bells as well - although the idea of fried sneakthief is very tempting (although somewhat illegal).

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 21, 2003, 11:48:03

Hi all, thanks for the support ;D calmed down now and b*gger the lot of them, the police, the committee and the 'little darlings' who done the damage >:( i'm going to build a bigger and better turbine that will electrify everything, only trouble is the lottie might start to fly by itself  ???. Maybe not 20,000 volts but not far off ;D also i've got some ideas to put them off 'visiting the lottie', ie japanese snipers in the grass, land mines in the turnips etc.

Tried interpol Alishka,they have no idea what i'm talking about ??? maybe they don't own a lottie, or what a lottie is even ;) silly b*ggers, they don't know the fun you have owning one.

I've already replaced the livestock thanks to some friends ;D what would we do without them eh. So the chooks, ducks, geese and goats are happy as pigs in sh*te? mmmm pigs i wonder :D?. I didnt realise you had to inform defra about moving goats something to do with foot and mouth, well i've looked and yes they have both thank you.

So back to normal, well as normal as possible due to being mad as a hatter and crazier than a box of broken biscuits. Will let you all know what happens next  :o hopefully something good this time. ;D :D ;)

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: MagpieDi on October 21, 2003, 17:32:10

Hi Jethro
What a nightmare!   :o
A few years ago I called in to buy some produce from a lottie site, and the bloke there had moved his 2 alsatians into a kennel as permanent residents !!!
Sad state of affairs, but as BB says, don't let the b@stards get you down!!

Title: Re: wind turbine
Post by: jethro on October 21, 2003, 18:56:45

Hi Magpie Di, tried the dog thing but they got poisoned >:( by the 'darlings' 2 years ago, and i refuse to do it again, why hurt the poor animals just let them take the stuff :-/.

Hugh, fried sneakthief? will that taste good with barbequed fox ;D as a side dish.