A Wind Energy-Powered Charger
(Page 4 of 5)
Final Assembly
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At last, Breezy is ready to be put to the test. Secure the
sails before taking your windmill to your chosen site.
(Move Breezy from time to time to test various sites around
your place.) Use 20-pound fishing line to hold the sails in
the proper position. This strength of fishing line provides
a high-wind safety mechanism. If the wind is too strong,
the line will break and stop the windmill from spinning. To
begin the final assembly process, drill four holes (W" in
diameter) through the top and bottom end caps. Locate the
holes, one per top and bottom, for both sails. These holes
will hold the sail in the correct position. You may need
someone to hold the sail up while you fasten it.
With a needle, thread some 20-pound test fishing line from
above, through to the bottom of the top end cap. Continue
with the line down through the inside of the sail (along
the seam), through the top hole and out the lower hole on
the bottom end cap. The fishing line should be slightly
loose to allow some give in the sail, and must be knotted
on the top and bottom end caps. I knotted the line around a
small washer to help hold it in place.
Next, with the same needle run a small bit of fishing line
through the sail material and over the top elbow in order
to hold the sail up on this end. Repeat the procedure to
properly position the opposite sail.
THE
CHALLENGEFor those interestedin using alternativeenergy, the
biggestchallenge is to catch,store, and utilize energyfrom as
many differentsources as
possible.Building Breezy at homeis a good first step .
Using Breezy
Take Breezy to the
operating site and begin by driving the X" rod into the
ground about 18". Be careful not to "maul" the top of the
rod too badly; the main rotor assembly must slide over the
top.
With the rod in place, use a carpenter's level to make sure
the rod is perfectly vertical; Breezy must be vertical to
operate at maximum efficiency. Using a ladder, slide the
support mast assembly over the top of the rod, and push it
into the ground approximately 4". Drop the UHMW bearing
into place atop the support mast. Then, slip the rubber
drive band around the rotor pulley and ease the main rotor
assembly over the top of the rod. With the rotor assembly
resting atop the support mast and UHMW bearing, work the
rubber drive band over the motor/generator shaft. Position
the motor enclosure elbow so that the rubber drive band
operates smoothly. Guy (or steady) Breezy using
"clothesline" wire and tent stakes at a ground radius of
approximately eight feet. The guy lines should hold the
support mast firmly, and keep Breezy from moving from side
to side as it rotates. I like to use three guy lines, but
you may be more comfortable with four. Well, that's it just
select a battery to charge. With a light breeze, my Breezy
takes about eight hours to fully charge a D cell that is
completely run down. Smaller C, AA, and AAA batteries will
take even less time. Experiment with your unit to determine
what works best in your area. Good luck with your Breezy
and congratulations-you've broken the "throw-away" battery
syndrome and made the world a better place.
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