Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Alternator to generate wind power — Parallax Forums

Alternator to generate wind power

John BondJohn Bond Posts: 369
edited 2008-02-08 06:12 in General Discussion
South Africa has finally run out of electricity. There are regular power cuts and in an effort to manage this, we’ll be rationed from next month. The problem was first highlighted in 1992 and when the white technical staff started leaking the problem to the press in 2000, the government utility set about firing all “greybeards” a euphemism for older men with a white skin. Well, we still have no plans to build new power stations and demand now exceeds maximum supply by almost 20%. This is Africa so the situation is likely to get worse (if that’s possible!!!).
·
I’ve been wondering if it is possible to build a wind generator using a car alternator. When I was a kid (in the 1960’s), it was common to see car generators with vanes fitted.
·
The idea is to charge a couple of deep cycle batteries. Inverters are readable available.
·
Gas fridges are in demand again. Do you get gas fidges in the US?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2008-02-06 15:27
    There is a lot of information on this on the Internet. Here's one link I found with a simple websearch for "wind generator car alternator": www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind_alternators.html.

    There are gas fridges available in the US if you look hard for them. They're rarely but occasionally used.
  • Tim-MTim-M Posts: 522
    edited 2008-02-06 16:16
    John,

    Take a look at this link: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4224763.html

    This wind generator may not produce the quantities of power that you are looking for as you see it in the video, but it has some huge advantages.· For one, it generates power in very little wind.· Second, you can make it yourself·very inexpensively.· And third, you can scale it up or multiply it to get more power or voltage should you need it.· This innovation just blew me away the first time I saw it... please take a look at it, think on it a bit,·and then·let us know what you think.· This was specifically developed for improverished parts of the world, but it certinly doesn't have to be limited to those areas!

    Tim

    Edit:· I found the inventors web site and new company... http://www.humdingerwind.com/·.· There you will find more video and information about scaling this method up.

    Post Edited (Tim-M) : 2/6/2008 4:32:49 PM GMT
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2008-02-06 22:28
    The only gas-powered fridges I've seen here in Norway is small models meant to be used in boats or mountain cabins.

    If you're serious about going for windmills/battery power, I'd suggest that you check out what is available in boating stores. You may find all kinds of nifty stuff that runs directly from 12V, so that you won't need that pesky inverter...
    (Inverters are not only noisy, but also tends to be rather inefficient. Typically less than 80% while under load, and usually sucks a lot of juice even when 'idling' )

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Don't visit my new website...
  • BoondockerBoondocker Posts: 5
    edited 2008-02-06 23:49
    The key to wind energy is matching the alternator and blade power.·· Too much alternator·the blades remain stalled, too little of an alternator for a given·blade size and it will over speed, burnout, and the turbine will destroy itself.····
    Wind energy is what has gotten me interested in electronics.· There is an active community of DIY Wind turbine builders.·· Here some links.· The Last link is a diary of my project.
    ·
    http://www.scoraigwind.com/
    http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/
    http://www.otherpower.com/turbineplans.html
    http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/default.asp
    http://www.fieldlines.com/user/Boondocker/diary
    ·
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2008-02-07 01:34
    Gas refrigerators?

    Propane?· Propane-"powered" refrigerators are widely used in Hawaii and other places like that (remote vacation homes.)· They like 'em a lot.

    Post Edit -- http://www.thenaturalhome.com/servel400.htm

    Post Edited (PJ Allen) : 2/7/2008 1:45:23 AM GMT
  • John BondJohn Bond Posts: 369
    edited 2008-02-07 07:36
    Thanks Guys - Wow, quite a range

    The small power generator using a vibrating steel membrane is fascinating. Must be a bit noisy though…

    We don't have much recreational boating, perhaps because our coastline has names such as Skeleton Coast and Wild Coast (not many bays and natural ports) so boating stuff is ridiculously expensive. (Also South Africa is a Third World Country so we don’t earn much).

    The brake disk alternator seems to be the best option

    John Bond

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔


    Post Edited (John Bond) : 2/8/2008 6:16:40 AM GMT
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2008-02-07 09:21
    John Bond said...
    We don't have much recreational boating, perhaps because our coastline has names such as Skeleton Coast and Wild Coast (not many bays and natural ports) so boating stuff is ridiculously expensive.
    I know what you mean.
    My 'nextdoor neighbour' is the Atlantic ocean...
    (Most leisure craft stays in the fjords... )

    Anyway, I suggest that you do try to track down as many 12V alternatives as possible, as converting 12V to AC(110/220/whatever) is rather wasteful.

    You may also want to track down plans for a 'solar collector' to heat your water.
    Even modern water-heaters can draw as much as·3 - 10KWh / day depending on your usage.


    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Don't visit my new website...
  • John BondJohn Bond Posts: 369
    edited 2008-02-07 09:54
    Thanks Gadgetman

    - Thanks for that advice, A suprizing amount of my stuff is either 12 or 5 volt. TV and some gadgets will have to be 240V (actualy seldom above 210V, typically 190V).

    - We get a grant to convert to solar water heating but my water heating is gas (propane). I foresaw some of the problems 3 years ago and converted cooking and hot water to gas. We don't need any home heating as the temperature seldome goes below 20 DEG C or (68 DEG F).

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  • stephenwagnerstephenwagner Posts: 147
    edited 2008-02-07 13:24
    John

    Home Power:
    http://www.homepower.com

    Wind:
    http://www.homepower.com/search/results/?search=&resourceid=6&energyapplicationid=4

    Solar:
    http://www.homepower.com/search/results/?search=&resourceid=5&energyapplicationid=4

    Hydro:
    http://www.homepower.com/search/results/?search=&resourceid=4&energyapplicationid=4
  • RickBRickB Posts: 395
    edited 2008-02-07 15:52
    Here is a diy research project using a non-directioal vertical windmill to power an alternator.

    http://www3.telus.net/chemelec/Projects/Windmill/Wind-2.htm

    Rick
  • David H.David H. Posts: 78
    edited 2008-02-07 18:09
    Another place to check is items used in motorhomes/RVs. Some have fridges powered by propane, and alot of stuff set up to work with 12VDC. Good luck with everything John!!!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    David


    There are 10 types of people in this world,...
    Those that understand binary numbers, and those that don't!!!
  • John BondJohn Bond Posts: 369
    edited 2008-02-08 06:12
    Thanks again Guys

    The wind stuff is AZMAZING - i'm still plowing through it...

    South Africa is a large manufacturer and exporter of Gas and Kerosine fidges and Deep Freezers. It's amazind how well free market systems work in a crisis and how porly state run businesses responds. Long live State Control and Communism!!!

    John Bond

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Sign In or Register to comment.