wind generators

[Chris Campbell]

FRED HOLNAGEL wrote:

>Off topic? Maybe but is ham related. A friend "dry-camps" in his small motorhome where the wind blows 75% of the time. He minimizes battery use but does monitor 2 meters. Has anyone experimented with a generator using wind. 1ampere is enough to keep a trickle going. I was thinking of a 24 volt brush type motor and using a 3 terminal (7815) regulator iin series to the charging lead. A pass transisitor could also be used.  As for driving, an overgrown anemomer cup arrangemant or? Would be interested. Thanks, Fred W7PRv
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Wind-driven alternators are used frequently on cruising sailboats. The 
publication Practical Sailor evaluated the commercial products within 
the last few years, as I recall.  One of the common objections is the 
noise produced by the windmill blades, described as a loud whine.  Now 
it's possible that these devices are designed for higher current 
outputs.  But that would be a good starting point for analysis.  I could 
probably find and mail (USPS) a copy of the article if you send a postal 
address.

Even so, I recall visiting my brother in San Francisco many years ago.  
We visited the Exploratorium, one of those hands-on science museums.  
They had a bicycle hooked up to a little generator, and some light bulbs 
in parallel so you could switch them on, one by one, increasing the 
load.  They were little bayonet-base bulbs, I think, and not of very 
high wattage, but it just took a few bulbs to really tax the leg muscles 
(and I do a lot of  biking).  It really impressed me with the principle 
that there's no free lunch:  the energy that comes out has to equal the 
energy going in (plus some).  I don't think anemometer cups are going to 
work.  The marine wind generators use blades like airplane propellors.

Chris Campbell

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