[workinman]

hey good news, my father, who lives atop a windy hill, has finally decided.. with no nagging from me .. to install a windmill
its not a massive unit.. produces a peak 400 watts, and has a cut in wind speed of 6 mph..
he's going to use it to power an electric hot water heater. its on back order now but i'll let everyone know how we do on the installation and its performance...
i believe the price was $550. we're going to build our own pipe tower to save money as they wanted another $500 for an 1 1/2 pipe x 30' tall tower.. my dad is a really good metal fabricator and probally has enough metal lying around to pull it off...
can't wait..

[peachy]

Wow!!! That's totally awesome! And good on your dad! Take pictures for us. I'd be interested in seeing it!

[Raptor235]

that's great, once its up get some pictures and post them on here I"m sure a lot of people are interested how it's going to go...

[workinman]

will do.. should be a learning experience!

[Raptor235]

definitely looking forward to it

[Simon47]

I was talking to some people the other day about sustainable development at a local group and one of them was saying that a chinese company is promoting windmills that you can stick on a telphome pole or the top of your house to power a yard light or two. It comes with a battery for 24 hours and perhaps one could attach a solar cell. Five or six of these and a few solar panels out back should charge a bank of truck batteries up pretty good. It's either sunny or windy or both. When I get details I'll pass them on.

It is so good to hear about the alternatives being applied. Most excellent is the real willingness of people to become examples and change. Bravo to your dad workinman.

Sim

Sim

[housefinch]

I've put this link in Other Energy, but I think its worthwhile here as well.
I need some help to understand everything about it because I think its very exciting.

(lutw=light up the world)

Light Up The World Foundation :: ABOUT US

The energy sources for LUTW's home lighting projects have included Person Powered Pedal Generators, Pico Hydro and Pico Wind Turbines and Solar Photovoltaic.

Things I don't understand: It talks about "Pico Hydro and Wind Turbines". I've searched this but haven't found anything specific about what "Pico" means.
I saw a Person Powered Pedal Generator on TV (amazingly they used an alternator from a wrecked vehicle!) but I can't find examples of the hydro, or wind powered generators. Never mind my tinkering side of me wants to see the Person powered generator in detail!

o7O

[workinman]

Hands On: Pico-Hydro - Viet Nam

the above sight dieals with the 'pico hydro' u were asking about housefinch... basically these are small or 'micro' hydro turbines.. cool stuff. if i had access to a small stream i would definately be into this!

[housefinch]

Pico means "a little bit"
10-12 (I don't know how to do this on the computer, ten to the minus twelve)
Okay now I understand.
Thanks workinman

[workinman]

Originally Posted by Simon47

It's either sunny or windy or both.

It is so good to hear about the alternatives being applied. Most excellent is the real willingness of people to become examples and change. Bravo to your dad workinman.

Sim

Sim

alot of renewable resource companies recommend a solar/wind hybrid system. the main reason is that summer = more sun less wind while the winter = more wind less sun. so the two systems compliment each other. but all seem to agree.. the way to go is micro hydro if u have the right babbling brook running through your yard..

i'll pass on your compliment to my dad. thanks, he is a good man!