Finally, after a month of work its working. I wanted to build a wind generator to work in conjunction with an existing solar system on my 5th wheel trailer. We spent a month in the desert north of Yuma, AZ on solar alone and it was not enough. Also, I had to build this machine so it could be transported and nothing was to be longer than 8 foot so it would fit into and on an ATV trailer that I am just finishing up. The trailer will hitch to the back of the 5er (see http://www.doublehitch.com to see the ATV trailer). I'm using WindyNations 500w PMA unit and it has been a lot of fun to get this up and flying. We live near Cedaredge, CO and are having 50 mph winds and, so far, not a bit of problem. I've mounted the generator on a 3/8" plate of steel (front of generator is attached with a piece of chain from a garage door opener - rear with a piece of angle iron. The fitting on the end of the opener chain was just perfect for holding the thing down but I only had one so I had to use an angle for the rear. Generator is mounted off-center with a furling tail on the other side. I, at first, tried to use EMT for the mast but it was to light - had to go to 1" steel pipe using an "H" frame on the bottem with guy wires to each of the four corners. I will use it to charge 4 6v golf cart type batteries, I have been using 4 12v deep cycle batteries but they do not provide enough amp hours. Hardest part - figuring out how to build a furling tail. I will try to download pics as soon as I learn how to do that. I do have a number of digital pictures to share. Many thanks to the folks at WindyNation for all their help. Next - I would like to try wrapping 1/4" copper tubing around the resistors and connecting this to a bucket of water to see if it will heat water. I have done this when I was a Scout Master. We used a coil of copper tubing in a campfire connected to a 30 gal steel container and it did produce boiling water.
I mounted mine at 20 Degrees using a 3/4 inch bolt welded to the plate and a 1" pipe with 7/8 inch to 3/4 inch bronze bushings from the local Tractor Supply. Then I used 3/8 inch bolts for the stops and welded them on. Might give you an Idea. will be posting mine soon.
Great stuff Richard! I just received my WindyNation PMA today, and am excited to see projects like your's turn out so well (especially the furling tail, very impressive). Any additional pictures would be great, especially close-ups. Thanks and good luck, BeachBum
TomT - I really like the way you built your tail piece. Much better than the way I used. I wish I could figure out how to attach pictures so I could show you what I did but I like yours better. I'll be talking to my brother who is a master welder, to see if he can do your idea for me.
When you go to post I usually put the pictures on the desktop before I start. Then when you click on Post A Reply if you scroll down a little there is a tab that says Upload attachment. Click on it. Then click on Browse. Then click on Desktop. Then the file name. Then click open and the window will go away. Then click Add the file button. That should do it.
