Wind turbines using dynamo hubs

[thecornflake]

I've been reading about using dynamo hubs to build wind turbines and wondered if anyone else has done this?

I think it would be interesting to play around with, there's a couple of cheap ones on Ebay at the moment.

[Wombat]

Nope TCF I haven't but think it would make a very interesting project. Please let us know how you go if you decide to do it.

Nev

[onetoremember]

i have several wind generator ebook plans on my site for download and some of them use dynohubs. You will find the hubs - second hand for sale on ebay. But they are quite heavy so P&P is high.

[thecornflake]

There are a couple of decent hubs on Ebay at the moment, so I will probably get one of them.

I'm thinking about using blades from an old fan or possibly making them out of platic pipe as this seems to be a popular way to make them.

Currently reading up on bridge rectifiers and various other things...

[Wombat]

Cool!

Nev

[thecornflake]

I've discovered car radiator fans might be a good way to go. Very cheap on EBay. Keeping my eye on a couple.

Also bidding on a hub.

Out of interest, although this might warrant a separate thread, does anyone know where I can get a small cheap Pelton wheel (used for water turbines)?

[Muddypause]

Out of interest, although this might warrant a separate thread, does anyone know where I can get a small cheap Pelton wheel (used for water turbines)?

Not strictly a Pelton wheel, but I've often wondered if half a car's turbocharger could be pressed into use as a small water turbine.

[bogit & legit]

am going to give this a go,have got a old sturmy archer.tell you how i get on.but like my name sake i just might!!

bogit & legit

[nogginthenog]

[lurk mode off!]

When I read this I thought you was talking about car alternators, rather than cycle dynamos. It seems to me an alternator would be great for a wind turbine as these should have the regulators etc to charge a 12V battery.

[Thurston Garden]

A car alt would need a bit of extra wiring. An alt needs a +ve charge to 'excite' it into charging more. It gets that charge when the ignition is turned on. The internal voltage regulator then makes it produce an identical charge to that which is being drawn from the battery to maintain the voltage at 14.4v.

Not sure about Sturmey Archers but a normal dynamo does not get excited nor has it a voltage regulator, hence your lights are brighter when you go downhill!