Re: wind power and reality [RE-wrenches]
Please, someone explain to me why they would expect a windmill with less than a 5 foot diameter blade to be anything more than a trickle charger or battery maintainer?

In a good wind it can do much more - assuming it does not fall apart.

Does anyone make a good wind unit with a blade over six feet diameter

the African Windpower awp36 is 12 foot diameter http://www.power.co.zw/windpower/

 that is tried and true

tested here on Scoraig to 100mph: no problems.

 and costs less than $3000

retail is $1700.  Ask  "Robert W. Preus" <rwpreus@yahoo.com> for a full quotation in the USA.

 that has a past record over 5 years in usewith no major problems.

hmm.  The prototype was erected in 1996 and that had no problems over two years but they took it down to make a copy of the blades.  The production version has been in widespread use since about 1998.  We had some problems with cracks in the blades but they have been upgraded.  there are minor quality control problems such as poorly fitting bearings but no intrinsic problems.

  Also will it start at less than 10 mph,

While it will not always start at below 10mph, our experience has been that it if the windspeed exceeds 7mph consistently then there will be a gust sufficient to start it.  The machine is designed for low wind sites, around 8-9mph annual average.

 and noise will not upset chickens etc.  

I find it hard to hear the sound it makes.  It easily gets drowned out by birdsong, or wind in the guy cables.

I agree with you.  What we need is more big, cheap, simple, reliable wind turbines.  Output power rating is not particularly important compared to rotor diameter and blade tip speed.
--
Hugh

http://www.ScoraigWind.co.uk
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