Hello,

My name is Bruce Cornwell, I live in southern Wisconsin (USA). I"m located in
the country (in a housing development with 1-2 acre lots). It use to be farm
land but now the trees are growing taller and blocking the wind in some
directions. I have a pretty good wind from the south to the northwest, average
10 mph year round. I have a ornamental windmill in the location that I might
place the windmill, it spins all the time. I think that this is a good location.
My home made generators do OK in this area (do to design it takes a good strong
wind to get them going). The best location would be on top of the house, better
height and making the most of wind from all directions. I would like to purchase
a Air 403 and place it in the yard on a 10 foot pole and see how it works in
that location. Then if it works well in that location I would like to position
it on top the house for b! ! etter wind.
Here is my dilemmas:
1 Objections from the neighbors from the noise at high speeds.
2 Voltage drop when running the wire 100 to 200 feet (DC).
3 Wiring the batteries and converter for AC.
4 Venting battery outgasing.
5 BIGGEST PROBLEM = what to do with all this energy, other that charging
batteries.
I know that this is only a hobbey but I would like to make this a good
experience showing that a small generator in a good location can make a
difference, at a reasonable price. During the winter I would like to directly
dump the energy into a heating element to help heat our sun porch (lots of glass
area). Charge some batteries (what kind of batteries and how many = ?). What to
do with excess energy is biggest problem in the summer. I haven't fully done my
homework on this and looking for some useful input for my problems. The readings
that I have done seems to show that there is alot of cost and the benefit is not
! ! that great. Conservation is the key to all of this but one would like to see
a more positive aspect from using wind energy. That is what I'm trying to do and
present to the community.
I'm not well versed on electronics but I have resources, got to finish reading
Hugh Piggott book "It's a Breeze" and this web site. I'm trying to justify and
optimize getting a Air 403. I would like to here from individuals how have this
unit and their comments / applications .
I really enjoy this web site and thanks to all for their comments and great
information. I'm looking for some good ideas on how to apply this excess energy
for a educational and useful experience.
What I'm thinking is to get (2) batteries (lead acid or gel) for charging and
try to use excess energy for, I'm not sure what ? Especially during the summer
with the strong winds I don't need to heat anything a small water heater would
be interesting to see if that could help utilize excess energy.! !
I would appreciate comments from anyone who has worked thru these problems or
useful suggestions. Thanks in advance to all.

Bruce Cornwell

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