What sort of wind system do you have?

[bee_pipes]

I've been doing a little reading up on RE, and see this in our future here. The web site OtherPower.Com is a goldmine of information. Has anyone built any of the alternators on OtherPower?

What sort of wind system do you have in place? Home brew? Store bought?

How big is your mast? What is it made from?

What is your setup for batteries, charge controller, inverters, etc?

Thanx, appreciate any practical info.

Regards,
Pat

[justmyluk]

I have a small system hooked up down in my shop. (3 solar panels, 2 12v deep cycle batteries, charge controller, 1200w inverter, small wind turbine, and diversion load) I use it to run the lights in my shop for now but as I add to the system, I'm going to run a line to the house and use it for back up when the power goes out. Who knows, I may take one room at a time and convert it to all solar/wind as my system grows.

I have the wind generator hooked up to a diversion load for when the batteries reach full charge (an old sealed beam spot light that draws 10 amps).

My small wind turbine was bought on e-bay. It is a small 30volt amtek motor with 5 foot (swing) blades that generates about 14 volts under a full load (high and low wind speeds). It is only on a 20 foot tower that I attached to the side of my building on a 1" pipe, attached to a 4x4 post (I didn't need any guide wires). In high winds(45mph+) it is steady as a rock. I painted it John Deer colors and it looks like a decorative lawn ornament (with 5 foot blades). My neighbors love it...

I plan on adding another one later this year that puts out more wattage, but for now I enjoy watching it turn in the slightest breeze and I love how it keeps my batteries topped off.