Maplin vertical axis wind turbine

[Simon]

saw an advert for this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/12v-50w-telescopic-vertical-axis-wind-turbine-396269 do we think it's any good ? I get the impression it's a bit of a toy and would not stand up to the weather. But I'd love to find something like this, affordable and easy to set up.

[SeanB]

Will work if you are around and look at the weather forecast to stow it when it is too windy, but probably will be spun to bits here if it is out when the high winds pop up. There is a really big one on a solar geyser company near me, but it is not really going to generate much power down at the bottom of a valley floor and normal to the prevailing wind direction.

[Simon]

Reading the reviews on the website it's a piece of garbage

[bilko]

Yes, the Maplin one is a toy. Proper ones are quite expensive, google D400 or Superwind. If you want to DIY, there's lots of projects, one here practicalaction.org/docs/energy/pmg_manual.pdf  to start you off

Edit:

And here's the manual for the blades practicalaction.org/docs/energy/blades_manual.pdf

[Simon]

unfortunately I'm not that tooled up. I have an interest in vertical turbines as they should take up less room and be mechanically simpler.

[bilko]

The PMG is also used in a water turbine, I'm sure that it could be used with a vertical axis blade system. There are lots of other options available, you can buy the bits already made and put the kit together to meet your spec. The advantage of the PMG (permanent magnet generator) is that it generates lots of current at low RPM.

[SeanB]

A vertical turbine places a lot of stress on the bearings it uses, you will be surprised as to how big they have to be to survive. If I was to build one I would start with a front axle assembly from almost any front wheel drive car to get a premade high strength and weatherproof bearing assembly, complete with a mount for the turbine blade ( wheel studs and the spider) and a shaft that will handle slight misalignment ( outer CV joint) along with a easy way to provide an emergency brake ( existing brake disc)

[Simon]

well there can still be a frame to hold the top with another bearing relieving a lot of stress. I'm only after messing about with small stuff.

[G7PSK]

These work.  http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/

I have built a wind turbine but not a vertical its the one in the attached photo. The mast design is my own the idea is its simpler than a lattice tower and cheaper than a solid tower.

[Simon]

haha, the reviews for the maplin "thing" are not good. Aparently it breaks quickly and is not good for permanent outdoor use. I asked maplin if it was made for permanent outdoor mounting and they replied yes. So I said, you lie just look at the reviews. I got a scripted reply asking not to abuse their staff hahaha, you can always count on maplins to give you a laugh (unless your dumb enogh to buy their crap).

[ejeffrey]

So I said, you lie just look at the reviews. I got a scripted reply asking not to abuse their staff hahaha,

Bad reviews on the Internet are no excuse to abuse their staff.

[Simon]

I merely stated a fact. He told me it was made to work outdoors, clearly it is not