Homebuilt Axle-Alternator Windmill
Dave VerSluis
axle awhile back. It may have been on this NG. I think there was a link to
a webpage on it as well. Anybody remember this, or have the link? Did the
guy ever complete the project? It looked real interesting for a cheapie
deal.
DV
Barrett Richardson
Hugh Piggot of Scoraig Electric in Scotland has a now fairly well known
design using a rear brakedrum and axle. I just purchased his plans
(haven't got them as of yet). Here is the reply I got from him when I
first sent an inquiry to his e-mail address.
-
Barrett Richardson
bar...@aye.net
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Hi
This is my standard message to overseas enquiries about my books.
HERE ARE PRICES, INCLUDING AIRMAIL TO THE USA OR THE REST OF THE WORLD:
BRAKEDRUM WINDMILL PLANS : 7.00 Pounds UK : 11.00 $ US
IT'S A BREEZE : 6.50 Pounds UK : 10.00 $ US
WINDPOWER WORKSHOP :10.00 Pounds UK : 16.00 $ US
HUGH PIGGOTT (books about windpower)
Hugh Piggott
Scoraig Wind Electric
Scoraig, Dundonnell, Ross shire, IV23 2RE, Scotland
hugh.p...@enterprise.net
Windpower fanatic. Born Scotland 1952, educated Edinburgh and Cambridge.
Dropped out and went back to the land in NW Scotland where I remain. For
4-5 years I did without electricity except what I could rob off 12V vehicle
systems on rare shopping expeditions, by connecting an elderly car battery
to bits of loose wire. This ran my cassette tape machine.
In 1978 I got seriously bitten by windpower and have been partly or totally
obsessed with it ever since. This is a windy place and very dark in
winter, so there is a strong sense of victory when you can harvest energy
from a crashing gale and swamp the house in dazzling light. Lots of bits
would drop off my windmill(s) but I persevered and ended up making
windmills for most of my neighbours. They still ring me up when they need
the windmill fixed. There are about 30 windpower systems within a few
minutes' walk of my house.
In the late 1980s I decided to broaden my perspective and I started working
on windmills built by others. I was amazed to find that bits drop off them
too (I thought it was just me). In fact it turned out that I was pretty
good at fixing windmills by then and so I did some work with manufacturers,
testing and developing machines, in the demanding conditions we have here.
I also wrote up some of my ideas and started teaching courses at the Centre
for Alternative Technology in Wales. Stopped milking a cow and bought a
fax machine.
More recently I have designed a windmill for manufacture in Africa and also
installed some direct AC hydro systems. I find hydro very exciting
because it provides much more energy at lower cost (on a good site) and you
do not need batteries. I hate batteries.
I like making windmills but I rarely have time to do it apart from some
maintenance (on the many existing machines which I look after) and building
prototypes of new ideas and designs. I also do things like dig the garden,
extend and improve my house, and get involved in many other projects.
I have written some books about windpower which I can send you if you want.
In 1993 I produced plans for building a windmill based on a PERMANENT
MAGNET ALTERNATOR BUILT FROM THE BRAKEDRUM of a van. This is a detailed,
step by step guide to building a 300 watt windmill with 2.1metre (7 foot)
diameter. I have built one and it has worked for years on the hill near my
house, producing an average output of 100 watts (at the battery). It is a
simple, robust and efficient windmill, but quite large and heavy. 28 pages.
"Geoffrey Remington" <yc...@dial.pipex.com> writes:
>I have read your wee book on DIY wind turbines several time now and can
>only say that it may not look much, on the surface of things, but it
>surely contains a formidable quantity of information and ideas. I am very
>impressed indeed. The information you provide on making the prop. blades
>is really very good, the description for fabricating of the furling tail
>device is excellent....
>Once again, thanks for everything, and congratulations on providing the
>most riveting reading I have seen for years. The technical content alone
>is worth more than most folk would imagine, and the non-technical are
>catered for admirably.
ITS A BREEZE (1995) is a glossy book, packed with information for those who
want to buy and install a windpower system. What size of windmill do you
need? What are the options on offer (in the UK in 1995). Living with
windpower, etc.. 34 pages.
WINDPOWER WORKSHOP (ISBN 1 898049 20 3)is another proper glossy book, about
building your own windmill for electricity production. Published 1997. Much
longer (but less specific) than the brakedrum plans. Details of generator
choice/design, blade construction, furling systems, towers, wiring,
etc..160 pages.
I live in Scotland in the UK, British Isles. If you live in the USA, the
best way to pay is to send me dollar bills in the post. This is simple and
never goes wrong. Do not send me cheques (checks) as they cost a fortune
to process at this end. If you do not wish to send cash, or have no UK or
US currency, please send a bankers draft in pounds sterling (UK pounds).
HERE ARE PRICES, INCLUDING AIRMAIL TO THE USA OR THE REST OF THE WORLD:
BRAKEDRUM WINDMILL PLANS : 7.00 Pounds UK : 11.00 $ US
IT'S A BREEZE : 6.50 Pounds UK : 10.00 $ US
WINDPOWER WORKSHOP :10.00 Pounds UK : 16.00 $ US
You can also order the last 2 from the bookshop mail order department at
the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales, UK.
Contact CAT mail-order at +44 1654 703409 (phone or fax)
e-mail: ord...@catmailorder.demon.co.uk.
and give your credit card number. They will add the cost of mailing to the
price of the books after they have weighed the parcel. Please tell them
whether you want air-mail or much cheaper, slower surface mail. Their rates
will be similar to mine, but my profit margin this way is relatively tiny
:)
CAT run courses, where you can meet me (windpower course only):
http://www2.cat.org.uk/cat/services/coursbl.tmpl
More books at:
http://www2.cat.org.uk/cat/windbks.html
Here are some useful websites from which to get more info about windpower
in general and self build plans in particular:
http://www.igc.apc.org/awea/
http://www.igc.apc.org/awea/faq/brew.html
http://www.aber.ac.uk/~iri/WIND/TECH/WPcourse/index.html
http://www.windmission.dk/
http://www.bwea.com/fs11-byo.htm
Alfred Forbes homebuilt dynamo page:
www.faxmail.co.nz/onekw
If you live in Ontario, Canada, you may be interested to contact
Robert Budd
R.R.2 Goderich
Ontario
Canada
N7A 3X8
Robert has built some brakedrum machines from my plans
and he now holds workshops to teach others how to do it.
to subscribe to an email conference:-
send a request to:owner-awea...@econet.org
fair winds,
Hugh