WindFriends,

I finally got some digital photos of the junkyard dog generator and pvc
blades. A picture of the blade is truly worth a thousand words, I have come
to understand while trying to explain to others how to build them using text
only! Simple to see though.

As you see, the generator is on a short, temporary (been there a few
months...) stand. It has spun up to just over 700 rpm in about 20 mph winds.
You should be able to see the magnetic pick-up for the bike computer that
currently is clipped to the back of the frame work. Remember, the wires can
be lengthened, but I don't know how much before resistance losses cause
readout problems. There are also pretty inexpensive wireless units. If you
have the extra bucks, you can even get an interface that will download info
to your computer.

My next computer for the genny is only slightly more expensive (around $30)
and includes a cadence counter with the same features as speed (average,
max, etc) I'll use that for rpm (reads 3 digits) and use the mph strictly
for the anemometer I built. I don't have pictures of it because the three
units the 6th grade students built were still locked up in school for the
weekend. I'm not sure the kids will let me have one, they really enjoyed
building and using them. I promised to help them build a picoturbine
later... we'll see.

Eventually, the anemometer will reside on the top of the genny on a pole
mounted to the generator frame. I'll get real time readouts with some stored
info to work with, but if I ever get it on a real tower, I may have to read
it with binoculars!

As you probably noticed, workmanship is rather slipshod ( hey, its an
experimental prototype) but I'll assure that the fun factor and satisfaction
quotient is super!

From the Judge's Junkyard,

Randy
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