Off Topic Wind Turbine

[jackrae]

Somewhat off topic but does anyone know a supplier of windmill blades suitable for building a wind turbine.

I'm probably looking for something about 4 foot radius (long)

I've tried the usual e-bay sales but it seems to be quiet on this merchandise at the moment - though I did manage to get my PM generator from there

regards
Jack

[SteveW]

Jack,

Sounds like you're planning something a bit bigger than one finds at the back on one's yatch.

It occurs that something that size might need some sort of overspeed control otherwise it could destroy itself and balance could also be a major factor. The giro effect will also need considering as will keeping it pointed on the correct direction (assuming its in the vertical plane).

And sorry I can't also offer any help with suppliers but you have got my interest.

[steammadman]

Jack , I have a friend playing around with the same thing,don't know how he's doing though,
i will have to go around and have a looksee ,(spy),i'll let you know what i learn, or not, in
due course,unless, of course someone beets me to it. ( watch this space)

[jackrae]

Just tp put you into the picture of how I plan to use the enrgy captured :-
/inveror I'm not planning on the usual battery storage systems that most seem to focus on.
I'm figuring on feeding an immersion heater in my water storage tank - ie the tank of hot water becomes my mass storage medium.
IF I get too much heat into it then starting the central heating circulating pump will "suck" heat from the tank via the indirect coil normally used to heat the tank.
Now if anyone knows where I can find an old helicopter tail rotor ---
Jack

[SteveW]

Jack,

You've outlined where the energy is to go but not really covered how you're going push it there.

Are you thinking of a conventional vertical fan or one of those smart horizontal thingys where the blades are vertical on the ends of spokes. As I understanding the horizontal type solves a lot of problems on varying wind direction because you don't have to keep point it into wind.

[steammadman]

Jack,
I went to see my friend this morning as promiced,well, he reports
A TOTAL FAILURE
i told him to stick to steam,maybe you should too ! ! ! !
Anyway good luck with your experiments