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Forum Index : Windmills : Has anyone tried this??

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Sonny

Regular Member

Joined: 17/01/2010
Location: United States
Posts: 66
Posted: 04:49pm 15 Feb 2010
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I have had this idea rattling around in my head for a couple of weeks now.
The tower for my little turbine I am going to build first as a learning tool before I start on the biggie I want to build.
My idea is to take some 4 inch pvc pipe and fill it with concrete and maybe a length of re-bar I have laying around. I plan on making a home made vibrator to make sure I have all the air bubblies out. I haven't come up with a way to couple the 10 foot sections together yet but I'm working on that too. I know the pvc has a problem with the UV rays but I figure a couple of coats of paint will take care of that. Besides this most likely will not be up all that long.
So, has anyone tried this??
Sonny
a complete novice
 
JimBo911

Senior Member

Joined: 26/03/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 262
Posted: 12:56am 16 Feb 2010
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Sonny

I am sure it would be plenty ridge. Tapping on the out side of the pvc with a small hammer would remove most of the air in the concrete.
Hummmm the weight is going to be a problem.
I for one like to be able to get to my mill for adjustments, changes and maintenance. I tilt mine (up & down)with a gin pole to gain access. Concrete is super heavy and it better suited for foundations etc.
It would be heavy.
Jim
 
Sonny

Regular Member

Joined: 17/01/2010
Location: United States
Posts: 66
Posted: 02:13am 16 Feb 2010
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Thanks Jim. But my plan is to be able to tilt this tower over also. It's not going to be that high either, maybe 20 or 25 feet. Just high enough to be able to test and play with the smaller turbine. Right now what I am thinking is putting two 4x4s set in concrete about 6 feet high and using it as a pivot point to tilt the tower up and down using a small hand winch. The most I would have above the pivot would be about 18 feet. Heck for no bigger then I plan on building the generator, I might be about to get away with 2 1/2 or 3 inch pvc tubing.
Well anyway I was just wondering if anyone else had tried this.Edited by Sonny 2010-02-17
a complete novice
 
isaiah

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Joined: 25/12/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 303
Posted: 02:55am 16 Feb 2010
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Sonny
Have your local well driller drop off a 20' 2'' well pipe and instead of the 4x4's use some channel irons in cement put to holes in both one hole for the pivot the other to lock it.
This should be lighter and easer to let up and down.
If you know a local driller you may be able to get a piece of used pipe which should be ok in 1 section.
URL=http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/1973-11- 01/The-Plowboy-Interview.aspx>The Plowboy Interview[/URL>
 
Sonny

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Joined: 17/01/2010
Location: United States
Posts: 66
Posted: 03:26am 16 Feb 2010
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I hadn't thought of that Isaiah, I will have to check in the local traders helper to see if they have some in there. Heck with the way the economy is now they might be glad to sell a couple of lengths of pipe.
a complete novice
 
KarlJ

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Joined: 19/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1178
Posted: 05:22am 16 Feb 2010
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Concrete is more expensive than steel and when dropped over will break without some serious support (rebar) and guys.

Bore casing is the go.
Luck favours the well prepared
 
HeadsUp
Regular Member

Joined: 06/12/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 43
Posted: 10:31am 20 Feb 2010
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that would only " maybe " work if you put the concrete outside the PVC and made a hollow tube

a rod of concrete would lack strength and wouldnt support its own mass

a thin walled concrete tube , say 10 inches inside diameter and 1.5 inches wall thickness may work if you had reinforcing in it , and i mean wire mesh like 3 x 3 inch squares and 1/4 " thick wire wrapped around in a circle , that would give a tower that wouldnt need guy wires but you wouldnt make it a tilt up unit.


just cheaper getting steel construction pipe

on a small mill say 3-4 kW , 8 meters high , something like 250 mm diameter tube , 5 - 6 mm wall

but talk to your own engineer . its not that expensive !
 
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