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.

Secondhand Proven 6kw & Windy Boy Inverter

Posted on 16/01/2018 by hugh

Richard Copland writes: I have a Proven 6kw and a Windy Boy inverter that I would l like to sell as it is on land that is due to be sold (the buyer does not require the turbine). Is this … Continue reading →

Posted in stuff on offer, UK small wind scene | 16 Comments

Handy Village Homebrew Workshop, with Dan Bartmann

Posted on 08/01/2018 by hugh

The Handy Village Institute is preparing for their third Homebrew Wind Turbine Workshop, with Dan Bartmann as guest instructor, March 19-24, 2018, near Saxapahaw. Details and registration information: handyvillage.com. FlyerEddy2018Turbine

Posted in construction, courses, Notices | 4 Comments

Charge controllers – a brief introduction

Posted on 24/12/2017 by hugh

Why do we need charge controllers? To prevent batteries from being damaged by charging too hard.  As you charge a battery, its voltage rises, which is all good up to a point.  However if the voltage gets too high the … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversion load control, products/technical, wind systems tutorial | 8 Comments

Another design proposal from Adriaan Kragten

Posted on 25/11/2017 by hugh

Adriaan tells me: “Recently I have written report KD 645 about the design of a new type 10-pole radial flux PM-generator with no iron in the coils and a simple 1-layer winding. This report can be copied for free from … Continue reading →

Posted in Adriaan Kragten, construction, People | Leave a comment

A new alternator for my little AWP windmill

Posted on 10/11/2017 by hugh

I don’t usually write much at all about the stuff I get up to, but here is a story of my smaller wind turbine having an upgrade last month when I replaced the alternator.  I was helped by my friend … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, ferrite magnets, my own projects, Scoraig | 6 Comments

16 foot homebrew in Wyoming

Posted on 07/10/2017 by hugh

“Hello again. We are in wyoming, only 30 miles from proposed LARGEST wind farm in WORLD( cherry choke project ) best wind zone in USA here.  3000 new GIANT wind generators will be installed here in  next  year.  7200 ft … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, People | 1 Comment

Free workshop in Austria

Posted on 02/08/2017 by hugh

It probably helps to speak some German.  free participation in a do-It-yourself Windmill Workshop! Take advantage of the special chance!   the workshop will be soon, from 7. To 11. August in the sun park st. Pölten in the framework of the eschmiede summer … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, ferrite magnets | Leave a comment

Axial flux alternators overheating

Posted on 27/07/2017 by hugh

I got this question by email and I thought it worth answering it publicly. Hugh, It seems home made axial flux pma’s are prone to overheating at fairly low speeds compared to conventional gas powered generators that run at 1,800 … Continue reading →

Posted in construction | Leave a comment

Grid-tied 2F windmill self-construction project with Jonathan in Austria

Posted on 05/07/2017 by hugh

Small wind turbine Do-It-Yourself Workshop incl. Installation Windmill type:  2F 16p piggott (2m rotor, grid feeding) Location:  FH Technikum / Energieforschungspark Lichtenegg Participants:  15 people Country:  Austria Date:  Spring 2017 The machine is currently under test alongside some larger ones and doing well. For an ebook with … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, ferrite magnets | 1 Comment

Build a Small Wind Turbine with Kostas Latoufis in Portugal August

Posted on 18/06/2017 by hugh

One Week Course: Build a Small Wind Turbine with Kostas Latoufis August 21 to 27 2017, Montemor-o-Novo, Alentejo, Portugal The wind turbines built in the workshops are based on the designs of Hugh Piggott, a renewable energy expert living in … Continue reading →

Posted in courses | 3 Comments