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Author Topic: Buck converter for small wind turbine project  (Read 79891 times)

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Offline Wolvenar

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #165 on: January 19, 2013, 01:35:09 am »
Sweet, as always watching intently.
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #166 on: January 19, 2013, 05:38:03 am »
Hi, sadly the RPMs are very low…. I had 10 to 15 MPH wind speed and the PMA never reached the speed that I had achieved with manual operation. I am making modifications to the blades and I am starting to fabricate a axial flux PMA that should have a higher output at lower RPMs. At the highest wind speed the max current output was 0.07 amps, sad but true. :'(  It should take a few days to complete the modifications. :)
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #167 on: January 19, 2013, 12:04:03 pm »
The leaning tower of VAWT. The winds were strong enough to bend the mast shaft. The mast blade rotor bearing saved the day. I think it would have been catastrophic without it. I am making repairs and doing modifications.
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #168 on: January 19, 2013, 05:10:34 pm »
Hi, I was able to do a few quick modifications. I mounted the 6 blade J rotors to the stock F&P with the 1 to 2.5 timing belt drive. It start charging the battery at about 3 to 5 MPH wind speed. I have to install the RPM sensor and calibrate the software. Weather forecast predicts windy conditions for the next few days.  Will post results when available.  After struggling with the installation, multiple small VAWTs are looking very appealing.
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #169 on: January 19, 2013, 06:51:31 pm »
Hi, I am getting about 1 amp @ 8 MPH wind speed . The stock F&P needs a faster blade design, I think it is better suited for a HAWT or micro hydro mill.
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Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #170 on: January 19, 2013, 07:59:10 pm »
Keep at it man... This thing has come a long way... ;)

Steve
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #171 on: January 19, 2013, 09:22:14 pm »
Hi, if they are rated at 28 MPH windspeed, then it is 500 watt VAWT. The problem is I do not get a 28 MPH wind that often. Without the MPPT the output would be nothing. I still have a few more modifications to make to the blades. After that I can make some more. They are low cost and easy to fabricate, I can start a nano  wind farm.   ???
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #172 on: January 20, 2013, 04:14:52 am »
Hi, 2.4 amps output at about 11 MPH. The timing belt is jumping the cogs. I can hear it from inside the house. It is a easy fix, I just have to tighten the pulley shaft so it does not move. The springs are allowing  the shaft to move. The belts should not stretch.

I suspect the output will increase when I fix the belt jumping cog problem.


 peak recorded wind speed 13 MPH.


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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #173 on: January 20, 2013, 11:22:18 am »
Today’s project, fix the deck. VAWT crash…. 
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Offline tomw

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #174 on: January 20, 2013, 12:33:50 pm »
Yeah, the power of the wind is astounding in what it can tear apart given the chance. Maybe it could have survived if it had  been attached to the floor joist rather than the boards?

At least nobody was on the deck when it went wobbly.

I suspect it will rise again?

Tom
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #175 on: January 20, 2013, 12:37:26 pm »
Hi, project update. Because of the cold weather and the damage to the VAWT I am spending the rest of winter working on my test circuit.  VAWT testing will continue in the spring.
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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #176 on: January 20, 2013, 12:49:40 pm »
Quote from: tomw on January 20, 2013, 12:33:50 pm
Yeah, the power of the wind is astounding in what it can tear apart given the chance. Maybe it could have survived if it had  been attached to the floor joist rather than the boards?

At least nobody was on the deck when it went wobbly.

I suspect it will rise again?

Tom


Hi, very true. I learned a lot from the experience. The VAWT received damage to one blade and 4 blade rotor hinges. The center of gravity is to high. What  is interesting is I was able manually operate the PMA with a hand crank and achieve a 5 amp output @ 12 volts. The highest record wind speed was 19 MPH and the output was about 3 amps. The blades are slow and the timing belt was jumping the cogs on the pulley. Three problems will have to solved.
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Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #177 on: January 20, 2013, 03:35:19 pm »
Oh man... That's up close and personal there...

There are many things I have come to find are very easy to underestimate... And while I've never had the pleasure of finding out personally with a wind turbine, I've seen enough pictures to know that nothing its immune... They all have a weak spot, and it almost always involves direct physical damage to the turbine or tower, or both, which you have certainly found out. :(

Glad to see though that your spirits aren't dampened by this - learning hard lessons is a very significant part of the "fun" with this stuff. It will rise again... :)

Steve
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Offline bj

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #178 on: January 20, 2013, 06:06:43 pm »
   That is terrible news.  But, you've overcome worse, and will again I'm sure.
   Just because misery loves company, attached a pic of what a "not quite tight enough" clamp
can cause in a big wind.
   Happened a couple of years ago.
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Offline ghurd

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Re: Buck converter for small wind turbine project
« Reply #179 on: January 20, 2013, 10:49:46 pm »
Ouch.
Pain in my guts just seeing the photos.
Sorry to see it,
G-
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