Author Archives: hugh

About hugh

I live off-grid in NW Scotland and have spent my life playing with wind turbines. I also love small hydros. Hands on renewable energy is my thing and I like to learn and to share my experiences.

Mountain top turbine still going strong

Posted on 19/12/2021 by hugh

In 2108 I reported a turbine build in Croatia by Ivan.  It’s based on my ideas but Ivan added some engineering refinements.  He just wrote to report that it is still going strong without problems. That turbine works perfectly, for … Continue reading →

Posted in construction | 1 Comment

Comparing plastic turbine runners with cast metal ones

Posted on 09/12/2021 by hugh

I had a message today from a customer who has 3 turbines from 3 manufacturers.  After a few years running he has this observation to make: I have been very pleased with the PS and its nylon spoons which, even … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New 3.6m ferrite windmill on Scoraig

Posted on 02/10/2021 by hugh
Posted in ferrite magnets, my own projects, Scoraig | 1 Comment

A couple more PowerSpout turbine installations where customers have sent photos

Posted on 12/07/2021 by hugh

These are both budget systems.  Installed since my last post in February. The first is a low head site in the UK.  160mm PVC drainage pipe works well if properly supported.  This one is grid connected using a Ginlong Solis … Continue reading →

Posted in PowerSpout hydro turbines | 2 Comments

User experience with evacuated tube water heating

Posted on 16/06/2021 by hugh

Nathan Jowett asked me to publish his article that he wrote about his solar hot water system.  I have to agree with him that evacuated tubes are brilliant, having had my own system for fifteen years now. Nathan’s Article V3.0

Posted in People, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Kragten update again

Posted on 16/06/2021 by hugh

Dear Hugh I have written a new report KD 723 which can be copied for free from my website: www.kdwindturbines.nl at the menu KD reports. The title of this report is: “Ideas about an 18-pole, 2-phase permanent magnet generator using the housing … Continue reading →

Posted in Adriaan Kragten | Leave a comment

New Kragten paper on asynchronous motor conversion

Posted on 26/05/2021 by hugh

“Report KD 718 can be copied for free from my website: www.kdwindturbines.nl at the men KD-reports. The title of this report is: “Ideas about a 16-pole, 3-phase permanent magnet generator using the housing and winding of a 4-pole asynchronous motor frame … Continue reading →

Posted in Adriaan Kragten | 1 Comment

Upcoming workshops with Jonathan in Germany and Austria

Posted on 30/04/2021 by hugh

Windrad Selbstbau Workshops   Baue mit uns ein Windrad. Voll funktionsfähig, nach dem weltweit bewährten Piggott Design. Die einfache Anwendung nachhaltiger Technologie steht im Mittelpunkt des Workshops.  An einem Workshop teilnehmen  Einen Workshop veranstalten more 

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Some of the owner-installed Powerspout turbines that I supplied over the last twelve months

Posted on 06/02/2021 by hugh

Bear in mind that the turbines are freshly installed and working so the setup is a bit rough in some cases. Most owners will do a bit more work around and about or even build a shed although this is … Continue reading →

Posted in PowerSpout hydro turbines | 1 Comment

F-series wind turbine manual available soon from Jonathan

Posted on 24/12/2020 by hugh
Posted in construction, ferrite magnets | Leave a comment