Wind Generated Power

[GrnEyedDvl]

Anyone into this as a hobby, or better yet as a living??

I do a science project for the 8th grade class every year. We have done all kinds of stuff, from catapults that throw rocks over 100 yards, to moving a 1 ton rock with ropes and pullies, solar power, last year we did BEAM robotics, this year I think we will do something with wind power.

There are TONS of small wind power kits out there that will push a few volts and light a lightbulb while running on a desk with a box fan. Thats not what I want. After they build it I want them to actually be able to put it to some good use, not just have a toy to set on the desk.

Here are the current goals, subject to change:

$1000 give or take a few, they have to raise the money so I cant go too high.
Vertical axis, I really dont want to put up a 30 foot pole. I already have a design in mind here but the kids pick the final design.
Generate 3-400 watts and 5-10 amps @12/24 volts
Charge a car battery or connect to an inverter and power 120v appliances

They will build absolutely everything, no kits. They will wind the coils, build the stator, figure out how to furl it in high wind, figure out how to keep it from overheating, figure out how to regulate voltage, stuff like that.

I already have several good sources, but most of them are for much larger projects, into the kilowatts. I also ordered a few books but anything you guys have that is relevant would be good.

[Kiljan Arslan]

They have those in my state of Minnesota you wouldn't believe how much money farmers are making through it.

[James Cook]

A mate of mine are working for siemens windpower in denmark, wind energy
is big money here both the siemens and vestas are operating in denmark.

the job that he does is in the assembly line, thats all i know
but i hope that the links will help you out

[Medicus]

I wish I had been in your science class. That might have encouraged me not to give up the entire subject.

[GrnEyedDvl]

Yeah those wind farm generators are huge though lol MUCH bigger than what I have in mind.

I wish I had been in your science class. That might have encouraged me not to give up the entire subject.

I dont teach science Doctor, I am not "qualified" lol although I am qualfied to teach computer science or even history.

This is a charter school that I helped get started when my 15 year old was in first grade. One of those schools the liberals hate because parents actually get involved and have a choice in what happens. One of the requirements in the charter is that each family has to have 40 hours of volunteer time doing stuff for the school, so I started an after school science club so the kids could be exposed to different kinds of technology. We meet once a week in the 2nd semester, and sometimes on Saturday. They build their project then unveil it at the end of the year party.

Here is the article that gave me the idea:
http://www.otherpower.com/17page1.html

And here are a few vertical axis turbines, they have a smaller footprint and can have a much higher efficiency rating:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...-effective.php
http://www.fuellessflight.com/windturbine.htm
http://www.pacwind.net/
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how20/2...cbccdrcrd.html

I actually have a design in mind that is racially different from any of these, if it works out I might have to patent it lol