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.

All readings are based on open current voltage and shorted load

Posted on 03/01/2012 by hugh

This is just a word of warning for those who are thinking of buying modified car alternators from http://www.hurricanewindpower.com/ or http://www.prestowind.com/ —-             I did have rather a nice photo of some alternators and parts here but Tim at Presto asked me … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, products/technical, Rooftop madness | 17 Comments

Grid connected homebrew wind turbines

Posted on 01/01/2012 by hugh

In response to a comment from Michael Jones I am posting a brief note about grid connection of homebrew wind turbines of my Recipe designs. The turbine output voltage depends on both the rpm and number of turns in the … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, products/technical, wind systems tutorial | 13 Comments

Chain driven turbine with Classic controller

Posted on 29/12/2011 by hugh

Chris Olsen’s latest project involves a Classic 150 controller connected to an alternator that is gear driven from 3.2m diameter blades.  The gear ratio is 1:2.5 up ratio. It’s a single-stator with 3-phase star connected windings this time.  The ferrite … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, ferrite magnets | 5 Comments

Step by step guide to welding a 2400 mm diameter Recipe turbine

Posted on 26/12/2011 by hugh

About 6 months ago I prepared a 12 page document with some step by step drawings and  instructions for welding together the steel frame for just one of the wind turbines in my Recipe book. You can download it by … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, construction, my own projects, Scoraig | 6 Comments

Next year in Washington state

Posted on 13/12/2011 by hugh

I’ll be teaching a “Homebuilt Wind Turbines” workshop course for Solar energy International on Guemes Island WA next October 15-20th 2012. This will be the sixth event of this name.  You can find some photo diaries and videos of previous … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, Notices, Video links | 3 Comments

Ampair require 3-5 engineering apprentices

Posted on 12/12/2011 by hugh

JOB VACANCY Ampair is recruiting 3-5 apprentices to join an expanding renewable energy manufacturing business. This role is as electromechanical production engineering apprentice manufacturing components and assemblies for small to medium sized wind & hydro turbine systems, and electrical equipment. … Continue reading →

Posted in Notices, People, UK small wind scene | Leave a comment

Wiring up a 12-volt stator

Posted on 08/12/2011 by hugh

In order to reduce the size and stiffness and number of wires that are needed to wind each coil, I prefer to connect the coils of a 12-volt stator in parallel rather than in series.  This means each coil has … Continue reading →

Posted in construction | 51 Comments

New structure for research and development is launched at WindEmpowerment

Posted on 08/12/2011 by hugh

Piet has created a procedure for refining and defining research goals and methods in a collaborative environment on the WindEmpowerment website. intro_movie_we from piet Willem Chevalier on Vimeo.

Posted in Notices, Video links | Leave a comment

Gordon Proven

Posted on 07/12/2011 by hugh

I’d like to remember Gordon Proven, the brilliant inventor, and creator of Proven Energy.  I only seem to have this one photo of Gordon from the early 1990s in his old factory in Kilmarnock.    Gordon built a really heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in People, UK small wind scene | 16 Comments

Heat pump book

Posted on 28/11/2011 by hugh

John Cantor has been around heat pumps a while, so what he has to say is going to be worth looking at if you want to understand the subject. Heat Pumps for the Home. Author John Cantor Illustrator Gavin Harper … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Notices, People | 2 Comments