Ok I have to admit that I am much bigger supporter of solar energy over wind energy for home generation applications. The reasons being you need a quite sizable rotor to produce any kind of reasonable power and also they make noise.
Having said that I was just on the Canadian Tire site and they have their Blue Planet 600 watt wind generator which regularly sells for $799.99 on sale for $239.99. That's 70% off! At that kind of price I have to get one to play with. If it is anything like the other Blue Planet products that CT sells you can probably count on half the wattage. Even 300 watts for $240 isn't bad.
I just checked and it is not in stock at any of the local stores within 3 hours drive so I will go into town and order and pay for it. CT is getting like McDonalds, pay first get your goods later. Not in a big rush to get it as I will have to put up a tower to mount it on so I will have to wait until the ground thaws.
Thanks ICRCC. Im all over that one. Hopefully thats not just ontario. We need backup wind for when the solar is geting winter nada
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
Hey, I need a solar guy. The specs say this will run on a 12 or 24 volt system. Ours is a 48 volt system (Im beginning to question the wisdome of this) Will this even work on our system. Electricity is VooDoo to me. No, I actually understand VooDoo alot better. Waisted years of theology when I shoud have taken trades. Thanks
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
No it will not work on a 48 volt system. I tried to pick one up today but there are only about three left in Ontario as they are now a discontinued item. They will not ship either.
If you're thinking of adding a wind generator, go with a vertical wind turbine. The prop generators require a fairly large open space to operate effectively. Vertical wind generators work best sitting on the peak of your roof. There are a number of sites you can go to for the information and companies that sell them. You can even find free plans for building your own.
Those who are unwilling to defend freedom, will become unfree.
ICRCC, Thankyou for that info, I've got one tagged!
Taz, I did a very brief and cursory look re verticals and read/skimmed a Mother Earth Article that was mostly negative. Not sure how old that info was & how much the technology has developed. So I'm not making any claim to have sufficient knowledge. No doubt there's other articles that would argue the opposite point of view.
I know lots of people who would scoff at the Canadian Tire wind generator, but at 70% off, I'll gladly give it a whirl! My goals are very modest, so if I can charge some power tools and maybe run a string of LED Christmas lights now and then, I'll be happy.
Got one!Took four days as there were very frew in Ontarion. I had someone pick up on in Belleville so now I will get it shipped up here.
Congrats. Persistance pays
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
If you're thinking of adding a wind generator, go with a vertical wind turbine. The prop generators require a fairly large open space to operate effectively. Vertical wind generators work best sitting on the peak of your roof. There are a number of sites you can go to for the information and companies that sell them. You can even find free plans for building your own.
If anyone wants to play with DIY vertical axis turbines, one of the easier ones to build with decent output is a LenzII. http://windstuffnow.com/
I like vertical as well because they are ALWAYS pointed in the right direction, handle turbulent (gusty and/or shifting direction) wind better, don't have blades turning at crazy RPM and are very close to silent. If you youtube search " wind turbine failure " you can see another reason I prefer vertical turbines.
BTW Can tire has their 3 KW inverter (I think it's 12V and is made by Xantrex) on sale for a pretty good price. You will need a few batteries to get 3KW for any length of time. If KW's are hard for you to relate to, 1HP = 746 watts so 3KW = just over 4 HP.
Than= I’d rather be rich than poor.
Then= I first became hungry then I ate.
There = She is there now.
Their = They have their things.
They're = They're going to the mall.
To = They came to the house.
Too = That's too bad.
I can make the actual wind catcher part, the blades etc are not so hard, what boggles my little mind is the actual generator! Where to source these or decent, easy to understand directions on how to build them.
I would welcome a PM on a few sites that make that part easy to understand and build, please and thanks
I can make the actual wind catcher part, the blades etc are not so hard, what boggles my little mind is the actual generator! Where to source these or decent, easy to understand directions on how to build them.
I would welcome a PM on a few sites that make that part easy to understand and build, please and thanks
not sure if its the same with wind, but I have plans to build a small hydro generator. It uses a heavy-duty automotive alternator so you don't actually have to build that part
this is very similar to the one I plan to build - didn't know about the permanent magnet alternator though - that sounds like a worthwile improvement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn1EtGRRkSo
And here's the plans: https://www.engineeringforchange.org/static/content/Energy/S00070/5%20Gallon%20Bucket%20Build%20Manual.pdf