Wind powered ametek 30 wind generator

This is a wind generator that I built with 2 Ametek 30 Motors. It is still in the experimental stage, with 3 blades on 1 and 4 0n the other. The 4 blade prop has a saw blade for a hub (Not recomended) . I will be using the 4 blade setup on the ones I am building now, along with an aluminum hub. I am working on a new set of blades now.

Step 1

I started with two amtek 30 motors, inside 4 inch pvc. Held on by 2 ss hose clamps. I will put on 1 more later. I made the hub out of 3/16 aluminum and a 5/8 motor arbor from Amazon.com I replaced the screws with allen head set screws and got heavy duty half inch washers. To hold the wire in the tube I drilled a slightly smaller hole in a piece of real hard wood and 2 holes for 1/4 bolts then cut it in half. I also cut some doubler plates out of pvc for the blades. I used heavy duty extension cord inside the pipe tower.

Comments

[davedawia]

I wrote this comment on a similar page but i figured I would post it again. It might help some people with their turbine project.

I built one of these and it works great. I bought most of the parts on ebay.

The criticism I have with the design is the blades. I  live in New York and we can get som serious wind in excess of 35 mph. The first day the wind gust went over 35 mph, the PVC blades snapped and crumbled into pieces. What a disaster!

I wound up replacing the blades with some aluminum blades I found online at windynation:

http://www.windynation.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=14

So far so good and it has been 9 months. We have had a couple of days with 55 mph wind gusts.

I would also recommend getting a slip ring if you live in an area with swirling wind like me. It will eliminate the tangling of your wires which run down your tower. Thanks for the article. I thought it was great.

[VoltsAndBolts]

I have a discussion forum for topics like this. If you’re interested in “Sustainable Energy” stop by. http://www.voltsandboltsonline.com/   

 

Nice WindGen by the way!

[bwpatton1]

What is your primary use for this?Is that a deep cycle battery, because they dont like to be discharged below the 80to85% power mark, too much of that will kill the battery. Try a deep cycle Marine battery (they may cost about $70-$80 but its worth it!) I love the design, I have never seen one with the double mill technique! Very Good!

[aleutianwind]

Hi For now this is mostly in the testing stage. I just got a diversion load regulator in the mail and will be installing it next week. I used old car battery's for now. When my budget allows I will get some 6 volt golf cart battery's. I will be hooking the system up to the 12 volt system on our 5 th wheel trailer. The diversion load will be a heating element in my solar hot water pre heater on my other instructable.

[thatsgreat2345]

You could attach this to your car fairly simple, run the wiring to the battery in your trunk and I'm sure you could easily charge her up no problem. I don't think spinning blades are illegal on top of your car :)

[Bill Fraser]

This looks very nice and easy to build. if you had more power storage what could you run. I am not much of a electrician but I could build this no problem. I would like to use this to power some light in a small barn that I am building. Your 2 30amp motors can you tell me more about them and maybe were they are used so I can get them. How does the exit cord you used does not get twisted up form the movement of motor frame. If you were going to change something or modify your design what it be.Good work

[olddawg]

This is a great site if your looking for quality parts & pieces. Nice guy and easy to talk to if needed.
http://www.tlgwindpower.com/Ametek30data.htm
I believe this is the motor used here (if wrong, please correct me).

I'm doing the same thing you are in my garage.
Right now I power my lighting and hope to improve to power tools (actually charging my Dewalt tools as well).
We should talk!!

[aleutianwind]

Hi The motors came from ebay, so did the diodes, I have never had to untangle the extension in 6 months, I left room at the bottom for it to swing. I will be modifying lots of things. The tower will be at least 10 foot taller but that will have to wait till we get our own place, we are too close here. It needs to be in a clearing. When its set up permanent it will have cemented in guy wires and larger pipe. All the wiring will be heavier gauge, I just used what I had laying around. I will have a dump load regulator hooked to the solar hot water pre heater thats on my other Instructable, RV places sell low watt 12 volt lights. I think it would work well for a barn, Also I have been using some solar shed lights. They work OK for short term use.

[olddawg]

Nice job! Congrads! I would like to learn more about your blade design. That is the biggest draw back to my wind Genny efficiency...

[dsandds2003]

This is a great idea!!! Do you have any specks for the part that holds the 2 motors? Also which works better the, the 3 blade or the 4 blade ?? Dave

[aleutianwind]

Hi I like the 4 blade set up better for where I'm located. My new blades are 20 inch set up with 43 in Dia. I used a 3/16 aluminum plate with a 1/2 in hole. 1 1/2 in. bolt spacing. Motors are mounted so there is about 6 in. between tips. I used 1 in. sq. tubing 6 in. long and 2 in. apart to mount the motors on. The tail is about 6 ft. The tail about 18 by 14. All my measurements are based on what was available at the time. I would go larger on the tubing next time

[rimar2000]

Very, very good work. Congratulations. I ament that in the zone where I live there be not wind almost never.

[mweston]

This is a cool setup, good job on the blades by the way - they turned out well