Jacobs stuff [RE-wrenches]

Tue Sep 21 14:32:04 PDT 2004

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sponsor a child today through Children International.  
Give a desperately poor child hope for a brighter future.
For only $18 a month you can make a difference!
http://click.topica.com/caacBBFbz8Qcsbz9JC9a/ChildrenInternational
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,

The Australian manufactured 5Kw Dunlite that I have has inertia flyweight to
control its variable pitch, but they were ahead of their time as well.
Unfortunately the company was sold right after they started producing their
big machine - after being in business about 40 years.  It also has wooden
blades.

You could probably draw up more similarities, but it goes to prove the old
point.

                                                        cheers,
John V

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Tritt" <solarone at charter.net>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 5:18 AM
Subject: Re: Jacobs stuff [RE-wrenches]

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you love your country? Get a Free USA T SHIRT click here to
receive your gift.
http://click.topica.com/caacDvPbz8Qcsa9rjuua/PermissionData
-------------------------------------------------------------------

  Geoff,

  Exactamente! The Jakes are great machines for those who have the time and
lack of appreciation for personal peril. All those rust-prone external parts
(why didn't they use stainless?) that need yearly attention and oil changing
promise enough on-going fun for even the most fanatical Model A fan.

  But.......... And here I dive into contentious waters........the Jacobs
turbines, in spite of certain somewhat archaic components, use actual rotor
speed to control it's output. Most small turbines, including Bergey, rely on
self-stalling blades, "dump" loads and wind pressure activated wind shedding
to control their output. While the latter is a less expensive way of
approaching the problem, only the former actually deals with it in a way
that allows for good low wind performance AND good high wind performance in
the same system.

  Since a prime concern is controlling potentially damaging
over-current/voltage in high winds, the BEST way to achieve this is through
rotor speed control; i.e: inertia flyweight or servo steering mechanisms..
The main reasons given by companies that build fixed pitch, self-stalling
turbines for making them the way they do are simplicity (obviously that
doesn't apply to their controllers); reduced manufacturing costs (that's
true, but not for the controllers) and lower maintenance costs (in the case
of older designs like Jacobs - also true).

  Building an effective, reliable and cost-effective turbine with low
maintenance, rotor speed control is not only an achievable goal but is
actually being accomplished in some other markets with success.

  I'm only too aware that my views will provoke a certain amount of
skepticism among SOME of you, but hey - - - good progress actually can
happen from time to time. Really!

  Matt T
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Geoff Greenfield" <Geoff at Third-Sun.Com>
  To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
  Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 7:19 AM
  Subject: RE: Jacobs stuff [RE-wrenches]

  Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
  -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Is Unemployment on the rise? Answer and Win!
  http://click.topica.com/caacERJbz8QcsbadqCja/PermissionData
  -------------------------------------------------------------------

  For those willing to change the differential oil at the top of the tower
on
  an annual basis, Use an inverter without UL listing and latch onto a
company
  with a finite future (they aren't manufacturing... they are selling
  purchased inventory) no matter the warranty - go for it!  Add to that
  springs and gears as the overspeed control scheme and I would say you have
a
  busy future (possibly at a profit depending on the terms of your
contract).

  Based on the power output to price ratio, (and probably the name
recognition
  of the original company) we still have plenty of Jacobs flying here in
  Ohio... Luck/snowjob/ignorant reviewers are how I think the non-listed
  inverters get accepted... but of the 6 or so listed in the "OH small wind
  case studies" book that our non-profit Green Energy Ohio did, I think all
  but one listed serious maintenance events (and some dangerous failures).
  www.greenenergyohio.org is a great organization - really helping us a
lot -
  good wrench participation on the board...  we dream of growing up to be
like
  MREA....

  So - do I sound like a Jacobs Fan?  For the price of an installed Bergey
you
  could probably buy 2 Jacobs (But you may need more over time).

  Sincerely,

  Geoff Greenfield
  NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer TM
  GLREA Certified Photovoltaic Systems Integrator/Installer License Number
  0211-01

  THIRD SUN SOLAR AND WIND POWER Ltd.
  340 West State Street, Unit 25
  Athens, OH 45701

  Phone (740) 597-3111
  Fax   (740) 597-1548

  www.third-sun.com

  End of RE-wrenches at topica.com digest, issue 1567
  ---
  Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
  Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
  Version: 6.0.764 / Virus Database: 511 - Release Date: 9/15/2004

  Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
  -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Give your opinion on Abortion and Win!
  http://click.topica.com/caacERNbz8QcsbadqCjf/PermissionData
  -------------------------------------------------------------------

  - - - -
  To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

  Archive of previous messages:
http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

  List rules & etiquette: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

  Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

  Hosted by Home Power magazine

  Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazing Diet Patch
The fastest - Easiest way to lose weight! Try it now FREE!
http://click.topica.com/caacBBBbz8Qcsa9rjuuf/MyDietPatches
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & etiquette: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Save up to 67% on Omaha Steaks + Get 6 FREE Burgers and a 
FREE Cutlery Set + Cutting Board!
http://click.topica.com/caacBBEbz8Qcsbz9JC9f/OmahaSteaks
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & etiquette: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------