Some pics. of the Windtura 500. It is now being manufactured. They will be ready for sale/shipment in a couple of weeks. The pipe that comes out the top of the mount holds the slip ring. The pipe that comes out the bottom of the mount is designed to easily slide over a 1.5 inch schedule 80 pipe. There is also a self lubricating bushing which fits inside the 1.5 inch schedule 80 pipe. It prevents metal to metal contact between the tower pipe and the wind turbine mount. This bushing also doubles as a strain relief for the slip ring. The strain relief takes the weight of the wires running down the tower pipe so that all this weight is not "pulling" on the slip ring. [attachment=2:n2fxiaer]forum1.jpg[/attachment:n2fxiaer] [attachment=1:n2fxiaer]forum2.jpg[/attachment:n2fxiaer] [attachment=0:n2fxiaer]forum3.jpg[/attachment:n2fxiaer]
The 750 will fit the mount. The 750 weighs about 2.2 pounds more than the 500 (more copper and magnets). For this reason, it will make the complete turbine front heavy. As of now, it appears this will not effect the performance of the mount. We are going to test the 750 some more to be sure. If the "front heavy" issue causes a problem, we will add a piece of laser cut metal to the back of the mount which will be used to balanced the 750. We can not add weight to the tail assembly for balancing because this will alter the furling wind speed.
Nice progress. Is there some advantage of having the turbine so front heavy rather than having the center of gravity exactly balanced on the center of the mounting post? Seems a balanced one would last far longer. Also, if you don't mind some "looks" feedback - the unit looks very "mechanical." Since these sit up high and are often admired there is an inherent desire by buyers to have it look clean, streamlined, and finished. Not that I am endorsing Windmax or Bergey systems, but their mills are good sellers in part because they actually look finished, well balanced, aerodynamic, and have no exposed wires.
I too would be concerned about all that abuse those 3 bolts will endure and could snap off.they will be absorbing alot of vibration..If you could figure out how to have a small tray under it then you could figure out a case for eye appeal..
Bluejay, The shear strength of a 5/16 inch bolt is several hundred pounds. There are three bolts that hold the generator head which means, theoretically, those three bolts could hold almost 1000 pounds. The generator head weighs 22 pounds plus another ~5 pounds for the hub/blades. Of course, there is torque to be consider also because the generator does stick out of the mount. But, even taking the torque into consideration, the load of the generator head is many times under the safe operating load for those three bolts. Minnesota, The turbine is not front heavy. The turbine is perfectly balanced. You could put the bottom pipe coming out of the mount on the table the turbine would not fall over in any direction. The turbine is only front heavy when the 750 Watt generator is attached. The balancing of the 750 can easily be resolved by adding a piece of laser cut metal in the rear of the mount, as I stated earlier.
I was not thinking of brute force windy just all that vibration would OVER TIME be the same as flexing that metal (minutely) and would break them..We all know if you flex metal in more than one direction it will snap there..
I do like the design windy,it looks slick..Just be ready to test for a while before releasing to the public or prepared to replace blades if it does end up having issues with the bolts. Are you in a spot that will get alot(coastal) of high winds?
Just looking at it makes me want to put it up over my house. My name is Rick and I'm new here, I plan on putting a system in my house for back up. Have spent many months just reading and watching all the post. I think that the Windtura 500 will do just fine in all respects. Let me know when you have it ready to sell as a complete set up. Thanks Rick
