Converting a wind pump to a wind generator

On 2024/02/01 at 5:49 PM, Rob Moffett said:

Hello from Windhoek! Great thread! Ya, no one has solar panels in their logos whereas the classic windmill is part of the vernacular of the Karoo / Platteland / Namibia landscape, a windmill silhouette graces many logos

 

 

Neither are the three bladed aerodynamic electric wind turbines as aesthetic as the original Southern Cross or Climax type of windmill. Neither have I encountered dead birds at the base of a windpomp. Efforts to reduce bird strike continue.

 

 

I've recently arrived at the same idea as the OP - to convert a classic windmill into an electricity generator is certainly a novel approach to re-purpose the many hundreds of windmills that are now abandoned. If the mechanical and electrical engineering maestros can be persuaded to apply their skills to the project would be great. Further, to top up the energy generation is it feasible to replace the blades with double-sided solar panels, that there is regular day-time energy production, and any wind generation is a bonus?

 

Best,

 

Rob

Although interesting machines and for me having grown up on a farm just think PV is far cheaper and I can't even put a factor to it more reliable. 

The power generated at specific wind speeds I have no idea. 

If using a big v-belt drive pulley driving an truck 24V alternator that needs to turn at about 3000 rpm plus a battery for the field could be a simple way to convert it but for I guess a limited power of 1kW. I hope those that have explored it can supply us some figures and also the wheel speed at certain wind speeds as well as power that can be used. 

On the alternator one could just remove the diode rectifier and wire the 3 phase AC to a suitable transformer before adding a rectifier. The transformer is used to step up the voltage to be able to use thinner wiring to cable up to where the DC controller is and also easy to rectify to DC for charging the batteries. Security is as always a major consideration. Windmills are normally in the field away from trees or the house. 

Just my thoughts around redeployment of windmills. 

Any other ideas? 

Edited February 2, 20242 yr by Scorp007