Happy Crappy

[rcavictim]

On this day which represents emotional trauma and misery for so many because of artificially hyped up expectations, etc., I'd like to wish everyone a minimally impactful, Happy Crappy!    May the worst thing that happens to you today be contact with Christmas music.

[Apogee]

Agreed.

(turn up the sound...)

http://www.vidigreet.com/categories/preview/441

Steve

[Apogee]

Ever wonder how the choir hits that high note??

http://www.vidigreet.com/categories/preview/454

Steve

[Apogee]

And finally, Santa....

http://www.vidigreet.com/categories/preview/458

Happy Holidays,

Steve  

[rcavictim]

Well thank goodness that is all over with for another year!  I enjoyed a nice quiet day at home with my internet connection and my cat and so far have not spent any money.  There are tempting deals on large screen flat monitors and HDTV's in the numerous Boxing Day sales everywhere but I have to save my precious $ so I can finish building my VAWT project.  I still have to come up with four rather large airfoils and a large generator head plus various little things.  I'm fairly good at staying focused when I feel it is important.

So I wonder how the more pragmatic members out there got through yesterday.  Did ya get any on ya? 

[WGB]

You do know what the experts say about VAWTs.

[rcavictim]

You do know what the experts say about VAWTs.

I've done a lot of research.  It depends on which 'experts' you listen to and what their personal agenda is.  Funny thing in my particular case it will matter more what the neighbors say than what the experts say!  I expect a DIY VAWT would generate less negative energy in my situation than a DIY HAWT of similar power output.  This is partly about keeping your own property ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY.  I would not want to put myself in a situation where a neighbor might call someday and request that I remove an errant turbine blade from the hole in his roof, or worse.  Noise is another issue.  VAWTs are generally much quieter than HAWTs.

Another good point to remember is that most of your 'experts' haven't ever built anything of any great challenge or value with their own hands in their entire lifetimes.  For me at least, this often limits the value of their opinions.  People with letters after their names often fall into this category.

If I missed something important please advise. 

[mobile_bob]

i am sure you are aware of Ed Lenz at   www.windstuffnow.com

he is really into the type of mill you are building, albeit on a dramatically smaller scale

might be a good resource for airfoil design for your machine, unless you already have that
sorted out.

going to be fun to see that monster making kw/hrs, and i really look forward to seeing that film clip

bob g

[rcavictim]

i am sure you are aware of Ed Lenz at   www.windstuffnow.com

he is really into the type of mill you are building, albeit on a dramatically smaller scale

might be a good resource for airfoil design for your machine, unless you already have that
sorted out.

going to be fun to see that monster making kw/hrs, and i really look forward to seeing that film clip

bob g

Hi Bob,

I have been in touch with Ed and had a good look at his unique VAWT blade design which carries his own name.  Unfortunately it did not suit my needs.  I have a blade design which will work and will be possible for me to fabricatew if not  a bit on the expensive side for my budget.  I'm still looking into alternatives.  My desired blade TSR falls in a difficult spot, in the land between drag blades and lift blades.

Yes I too anciously await the video of first wind. 

[WGB]

Not trying to poke you with a sharp stick 
I've taken some classes, one with the otherpower guys, lots of folks with lots of letters every where lol.
Most had hands on, and many turbines flying.
What most said seemed to make sense to my feeble brain.
You have a very ambitious project, and from what I've read in your posts I'm sure you're up to the task!
I'd like to know everything about your project, when it will be up and running, and mostly the performance.

[rcavictim]

Not trying to poke you with a sharp stick 
I've taken some classes, one with the otherpower guys, lots of folks with lots of letters every where lol.
Most had hands on, and many turbines flying.
What most said seemed to make sense to my feeble brain.
You have a very ambitious project, and from what I've read in your posts I'm sure you're up to the task!
I'd like to know everything about your project, when it will be up and running, and mostly the performance.

No problem.  If it pleases you I will state that under the conditions of "sufficient manpower, construction equipment, material and financial resources, including the means to deal with permitting" a HAWT is the machine to build or purchase.  They are the most efficient design which has popped out the end of some 40 years of industry and academic based R&D.  For a commercial wind farm enterprise the choice for HAWT is clear.

However, in my own unique position which lacks all of the forgoing 'normally prerequisite' assets, including manpower beyond my own two hands, the ability to specify materials and then the financial means to purchase them, being able to hire out fabrication of subsystems to machine shops, or rent a crane or backhoe, order a load of cement delivered or pay off the inspectors, etc., the ONLY choice for me was to go with a VAWT.  My machine was designed largely by the availability of recycled materials that came my way over many years of preparation.  In fact, I won't be able  to show anyone the 'design plans' until after it is finished.  In fact even then there won't be any paper plans to show because everything is in my head.

As for having letters after your name.  That would be a good thing more often if the process that leads to those letters and association with institutions that hand them out didn't suck the street sense out of folks who study hard to earn them.  I have no doubt that those who you associate with at Otherpower aren't some of the brightest and gifted fellers and gals that can also drill a hole and hold a wrench.