Its too late by the time I post this to take it outside and try them out but I finished them. Finally. The wife helped me with this tonite or I would not have finished it yet tonite. My only concern now is that I am afraid that the torque (is that spelled right?) may rip these apart. The force behind 6 blades will be awsome.
Here is the video:
I cut some 3 foot pvc blades for the WindBlue Alternator today. They are in raw form as I have not sanded them on the edges or rounded the tips. I ordered the entire system along with the one piece blade system that acts as 2 blades but I want to try lighter pvc blades and see how they work…..or how they dont.
Dont forget if you guys want to see how I am doing other things with the wind gens please drop me a line and I will try to get it on video and get it posted for you. Chances are, if it interests you it will be of interest to others as well.
Below is an updated video. I got it outside waiting for the wind to blow but as some people say you have to wait 6 days for the wind to blow when you are waiting for it;-)
I will post another video when I can see it spinning. I may end up having to add more blades to this one but its really hard to tell as it might not want to spin when near to the ground but if I get it up onto a tower it could spin like hell. I read somewhere that having a wind generator near the ground is like putting your solar panels in the shade. But, This makes it alot easier for me to be able to test different blades, speeds, and power output….or lack thereof.
In this video I cut new blades for the new Amatek Wind Generator that I ordered from eBay. This motor spins counterclockwise so I had no choice but to make new blades that reflected the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft.
I found a template that I could use to make the 3 blade design for a wind generator. It seems that to find such a template on the net is a task. At least it was for me spending over an hour googling it.
Anyway, I used the template to draw onto 3 sheets of paper and then cut the design out and taped the 3 pages together.
(The pipe size below is 6″ schedule 40 )
In the picture you can see what it looks like. Unlike some of the other paterns I have seen this patern or template you would place on the outside of a pipe (pvc pipe) and just just it out using a jigsaw.
(The Top pipe is 8″ schedule 40 pvc and the lower one in the pic is 6″ sch. 40)
The cut in speed or start speed will be quicker with the 8″ pipe only because with the 8″ pipe the curve of the blade will not be as long thus allowing for the wind to pass over it more quickly and without as much effort.
The wider curve using the same template on the 6″ pipe will allow for the blades or cut in speed to start spinning at a lower wind speed but the blades will not spin as fast once they are spinning due to the extra force the wind will be subject to.
I will try to get some type of a template together that you will be able to print out and then cut onto paper for your projects. As my time permits.
I will also try to get some type of a hub or rotor template posted here to make things easier for others to be able to print them out and then cut onto paper.
One of the most important parts of this is making sure that all the mounting holes are even. If they are not the blades will be off balance and the vibration will shake the machine into pieces very quickly.
I made this blade from 8″ PVC available at our local Michigan City Indiana Lowes store. 8″ PVC was the largest that they carried. I also looked at Menards store but the largest that they had was 4″
The length overall total was 5′ (feet) The actual pvc pipe was 10′ in length but I had the store cut it in half for me so I could better get 2 five foot sections into the back seat of my car then trying to get one 10 foot piece into it. (which of course could not fit)
The center of the blades with hole. You can see from the pic (above) that I used a sander for smooth the edges. Not real sure if it will make alot of difference but I figure it probably would not hurt with the wind cut in on the blades and such.
(above) Longer view of this design out of the 8″ PVC sch #40
(above) Pic of one of the tips of the blades. I sanded it smooth using a hand sander to help the air/wind flow over the tip and maybe to cut down on the sharp edges to reduce wind noise.
above: another view of the tip of the blades.
