THE COBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 'WIN' GENERATOR

(Page 2 of 2)

July/August 1976
 
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Thus, it was possible for Gary Raze and his students to build their wind generator (or "WIN" generator, as the class likes to call it) over a three-month period at a cost of only $100!

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How does the finished plant work? The entire system revolves (if you will) around a recycled 45-amp Dodge alternator which is driven—via belts and pulleys—at 18 times the rotational speed of the S-rotor itself. That is, when the three-story-tall WIN turbine turns at a modest 33 rpm-as it does in a 7- to 8-mph breeze—the alternator spins at some 600 rpm . . . and produces five amperes of electrical current. This "juice" can then be used either to [A] charge the system's six heavy-duty 12-volt car batteries, or [B] run nine 12-volt, 50-watt bulbs that Raze and his pupils have rigged to light their classroom.

In a strong wind-when the S-rotor turns at about 60 rpm—the alternator, spinning at more than 1,000 rpm, puts out a full 40 amps of 12-volt current. Which means that—if you multiply 40 X 12—the system is capable of delivering something like 480 watts of power . . . which ain't bad for a Savonius rotor assembled by grade school youngsters at a total cost of $100!

We salute you, Mr. Raze . . . and we salute the students who participated in the WIN generator project. More power to you!

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