VAWT

I have been working on a project that is almost finished, and will be posting pictures in a short while, or at least before Duane gets his Airboat Noise video done. ;rasta;

I have been wanting to build a VAWT for a while now, and the time has come. ;stir;

Hint: It has to do with wind, but has little to do with airboats :roll: :roll:

If any of you happen to know what a VAWT (an acronym) is, post your guess on here. Prizes will not be rewarded, but correct ones will recieve HONORABLE MENTION. What more can you expect, after all, there IS no entry fee :&&: :&&: :&&:

Dave

Velocity Activated Water Transfer-er

Wildfowl,

Nice try Mike, that's not it, but it shows your thinking ;thumb;

By the way I did not make up this one up :mrgreen:

Dave

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine ;thumb;

I picked up on it immediately because I've thought about building one myself. The windmill next to your shop was a clue as well... ;)

Duane

Congratulations Duane,

The Gold star and the Honorable mention goes to you.

The next clue I was going to put in was the picture I will now attach of the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines.
Actually there two HAWTs in operation here. They produce some amps,
but the problem here is, not much consistent wind. Today we do have some wind, and both are spinning, but the camera stops the blades so you would think they are stopped.

It is not set-up and running yet, but I just got it painted yesterday, so
I'll snap a pic' of it also. The VAWT, if built right, is supposed to turn with lower wind speeds, we will see about that :? There are many different design VAWTs, but I made mine out of two (free) plastic 55 gal. barrels.

Dave[attachment=1:arbplg9u]Wind Turbines 002.jpg[/attachment:arbplg9u][attachment=0:arbplg9u]Wind Turbines 001.jpg[/attachment:arbplg9u]

Dave,

Wow ! A REAL gold star ! ;)

I've thought about building one, not to generate power, but to enter in the Whirligig contest. I've not seen a whirligig powered by a VAWT yet, and I think it'd be an interesting twist. :&&:

http://www.wilsonwhirligigfestival.com/

We have a local artist, Vollis Simpson, who's made a name for himself World-wide with his creations. Here's a short but interesting link about him.

http://www.wilsonwhirligigfestival.com/ ... &Itemid=56

Your VAWT is looking good. I like that you've got a substantial axle and bearings. Some designs I've seen wouldn't last 6 months, if even that.

I hope that you're planning to wait until the weather warms up to install it.

Duane

Duane,

I was going to make a weather vane whirly gig of an airboat, to put near the end of my driveway. I haven't gotten "roun'toit" (I understand that is all one word in some places) yet. Although I doubt very many people around here would realize what it really was :cry:

I didn't know that's what they are called until know. A guy near here makes weather vanes that look like a small airplane, and calls them "Plane Vanes". I guess they could be called Whirly gigs also.

Yes, I have 1" steel rod into substantial pillow blocks. They could withstand many times the weight, and speed of the unit. They were left over from the redrive I never built for the Aircat 084. Truth be told, the short ends are just welded into the 1" EMT center shaft, but the whole works only weighs about 55 lbs.

Wednesday, the January thaw is expected, and I plan to put it up then, if it works out. :D :D

Dave

We put up the VAWT today since the temp. was up around 30 degrees. It was almost sundown when I got my camera out and snapped these pic's.

The breeze was barely noticeable, but as soon as we got it hanging by the top bearing, it started turning and we had to hold it still until we finished our work.

We have not decided what the kind of alternator or generator is going to be on it yet, but it sure doesn't take a much wind to make it go. ;stir; ;stir;

The thing about this unit is, It doesn't turn fast and make a lot of electricity when the wind blows hard, but it runs most of the time, so it keeps the batteries charged for when they are needed. ;thumb; ;thumb;

What do you want to bet that someone, (maybe Chuck) decides to call this "Busters Wind Farm"? :&&: :&&:

Dave

Buster,

Let ME be the first to say that's a nice wind farm you've got going. :&&: :&&: :&&:

It's looking good, except for that snow all over the place. You need to do something about that stuff.

Duane

Hey Duane, do you think we ought to call that buster's wind farm. ;stir; :&&:
That's cool buster.
Thanks, Chuck