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Wind Generator Testing

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The Otherpower Store - Hard-to-Find and Needful Things for the Renewable Energy Enthusiast


100% Off-grid and lovin' it! All our staff have lived off grid for over 15 years each. We don't sell anything we haven't installed and tested in our classes, workshops, personal power systems, or consulting installations.
Books - Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biofuels, Geothermal, Science, and more. If we haven't read it, we won't sell it! Hands-on Workshops - Get your hands dirty learning renewable energy. Fully accredited by ISPQ, IREC and NABCEP.
Wind Turbine Parts and Kits - Everything you need to build your own. Buy your parts ala carte, fabricated in our off-grid shop. Balance of System - Important things you need, but can't find. Turbine diversion load systems, disconnects, and more, with expert advice.
Data Acquisition - Keep track of the energy you make and the energy you use, and the system that's producing it. Consulting - We work with clients to design clean energy solutions for remote, off-grid areas worldwide.

There is some advantage it seems to being able to test windmills, close to the ground, and find out exactly their output, and durability.  We built a simple bracket of wood, and tied it onto our '30 tudor.  This way we could monitor exact windspeed, and take down information.  So far we used it to test only a 7' diameter 3 bladed prop, attached to a alternator built from an induction motor.  Model A Wind Test The results were definitely interesting, and the ride exciting.  I didn't feel safe much over 20 mph, at which point the output was about 12 amps into a 12 volt battery.  I doubt this prop, or the hub to which it was attached  would have held together much past 20.  At any rate, it's fun, exciting, and an excellent way to get information about a systems performance.  It helps to have a co-pilot to monitor speed, voltage and amperage, and to jot down measurements.

Do this only on a deserted country road.  It would NOT be wise to let anyone pass you, either!  Don't be surprised at the strange looks you receive, too!



Click here to download a 15 second video of this test.

The Otherpower Store - Hard-to-Find and Needful Things for the Renewable Energy Enthusiast


100% Off-grid and lovin' it! All our staff have lived off grid for over 15 years each. We don't sell anything we haven't installed and tested in our classes, workshops, personal power systems, or consulting installations.
Books - Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biofuels, Geothermal, Science, and more. If we haven't read it, we won't sell it! Hands-on Workshops - Get your hands dirty learning renewable energy. Fully accredited by ISPQ, IREC and NABCEP.
Wind Turbine Parts and Kits - Everything you need to build your own. Buy your parts ala carte, fabricated in our off-grid shop. Balance of System - Important things you need, but can't find. Turbine diversion load systems, disconnects, and more, with expert advice.
Data Acquisition - Keep track of the energy you make and the energy you use, and the system that's producing it. Consulting - We work with clients to design clean energy solutions for remote, off-grid areas worldwide.

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