WIND CHARGERS: BUILDING TOOLS FROM THE NATION'S PAST

(Page 5 of 5)

March/April 1983
by Paul Gipe and Carl Judy  
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Conversion to a 120-volt system, however will require the aid of a motor repair shop to rewind the generator ... which will cost several hundred dollars. Don't try to do the job by hand, though, or you may well end up with a pile of scrap wire.

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Repairing the blades is simple ... if they're in reasonably good condition. Cracked props should be discarded. New blades (they'll run at least $300) are now made for Jacobs machines, and used ones are also available. You can find either through the classified sections of alternative energy publications.

Jacobs governors fall into two classes. The most common (and oldest) design is the "flyball" type, so-called because of its three weights (or flyballs). A reasonable price for such a governor is $ 100. The blade-activated governor, which was used only on the later models, is preferred by some folks because it's less expensive to manufacture and is thought to be more dependable. Satellite industries produce this governor and other Jacobs parts, such as tails, turntables, and control panels. (A new blade-activated governor retails for about $600.)

Of course, those of you who are too busy to hunt for abandoned wind machines can browse through the ads in alternative energy publications in search of rebuilts. (This will at least give the curious an idea of what the prevailing prices are.) Such a wind charger will usually cost about twice as much as would a do-it-yourself version. (If you do buy a rebuilt model, be sure to get a written guarantee of workmanship.)

Finally, if you're considering making an expedition through the Plains states in search of your very own wind charger, don't dally. Professionals are rapidly stripping the area of these treasures. Now's the time to stake out a claim to energy independence.

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