Battery Vehicle Society

I have recently been assembling a basic guyed Oil drum 2 stage Savonius VAWT using a LG Smartdrive motor/generator.

I'm now at the testing and tweaking stage with the whole assembly rigged up in my workshop and me or wife spinning it by hand At this time we are at the amazing and satisfying lighting a bulb when spun phase

I'm using two standard 50 gallon drums with a central shaft. I'm using an ex LG washing machine smartdrive motor in standard 3 phase star config to try and get some output at low rpm. I have not done any de-cogging as yet.

I using a standard 3 phase bridge rectifier made out of normal diodes at present, I have some Schottky ones on order. I am on the look out for unpolarised 100v 100uf caps to try that mod as well, once I have it up and running I may rewire stator depending on results.

I haven't decided on a final system voltage yet, I'll wait until I get some power results and then decide as I have a fairly flexible battery system in mind. Sadly I live in a very sheltered and turbulent wind area, I already have a normal Air-X type turbine which really struggles to stay into the wind.

Here are a few pics, I'll post more when it's up.

http://www.solarvan.co.uk/savonius/savonius01.jpg
http://www.solarvan.co.uk/savonius/savonius02.jpg
http://www.solarvan.co.uk/savonius/savonius03.jpg
http://www.solarvan.co.uk/savonius/savonius04.jpg
http://www.solarvan.co.uk/savonius/savonius05.jpg

Regards

Peter UK

Very tidy!

And the windmill is not bad either

Will be interested to know what sort of power you get from it. You must have a very windy garage. Might I suggest you may get better performance outside and then you and wifey can retire to the house!

Ha Ha

Have to strengthen the flat roof where it will be mounted first and install guy points. Depending on weather might get it up this week if you know what I mean

Loads of torque on that baby, that looks like a F and j? washing motor converted? My last genny was a big brushless motor with magnets resined to the armature but sadly the local planning dept didnt share my idea with reducing enviromental damage and my elecy bill!
Its looking good though and i like VAWT's, have done any Maths as do you have any idea on power vs wind speed or is it put it up and see?

Put it up and see, I'll be happy with 100W in reasonable wind. Now painted it same colour as floor as had 20L of floor paint kicking about.

Blow the windmill, I want the work shop mind you I'd only fill it up with useful rubbish within weeks

ChrisB

Hi Peter,

That's looks great! How are you going to hook it up to the house. Will it feed battery bank, which you can then draw from?

Cheers,

Ian

Was thinking the same myself. I was admiring all that lovely workbench space and wondering why it it isn't piled up with bits of bikes and old washing machines and abandoned projects and assorted empty tea mugs with fur growing out of them...

That's quite untidy for me, I like it like an operating theatre. Floor is messy haven't hoovered since cut wood for turbine, where are my rubber gloves and Pinny

Seeing as you are all so sad I shall take a decent pic of workshop to keep you happy.

I'm going to keep an eye for one of these motors. Out of curiosity, are they low voltage motors ?