2015-06-01 (M) Wind Generator Turbine Design Tests

Bottles and bottle holders were assembled to make the wind turbines. Open sides of the bottles were arranged so the turbines would spin the shaft clockwise when seen from above. Angling the bottles and tightening them in place was simple and only took a couple minutes. In contrast to cutting the bottles this was very easy. Each wind turbine was attached to a testing station.

Bottles arranged on four-bottle holder

Stations arranged indoors

Due to the size of the test structure it could not be carried through a porch door and was partially disassembled. To balance the structure two stools were stacked where the test structure could rest while it was reassembled. Choosing to to not use solvent welding proved beneficial. The weight of the wind turbines made keeping them upright difficult so the whole structure was installed upside down. New holes were drilled in the balancing arm to align it properly.

 Stations positioned on porch

Adding pilot holes for screws

 Stations hanging off porch

Stations hanging off porch from ground level

Despite gusts of wind none of the turbines would turn until the generator was disconnected. Each of the stations behaved differently when the band was disconnected. Picture series were taken to illustrate each turbine's behavior. Only the 2-bottle vertical configuration held which was fastened far away from the bearings did not turn. This was presumably due to torsional tension which was hypothesized.

Hypothesis for 2-bottle horizontal configuration.
This configuration will spin with greater power but a lower speed than configurations with vertical bottles.
Observation for 2-bottle horizontal configuration.
This configuration saw no significant rotations. Even during gusts of wind the turbine did little more than shudder.

2-bottle horizontal shuddering

Hypothesis for 2-bottle horizontal configuration. Fastened close to bearings.
This configuration will act as a control being the simplest.
Observation for 2-bottle horizontal configuration.
This configuration spun very well and makes a good benchmark.

2-bottle vertical spinning
Hypothesis for 4-bottle horizontal configuration.
This configuration will have the most potential for power.
Observation for 4-bottle horizontal configuration.
This configuration spun very well but did not spin any faster than the similar 2-bottle configuration.

4-bottle vertical spinning

A high-resolution video was made showing all the turbines operating. More testing can be done when weather is cooperative. Different spacing on the bottles should also be tested. Rain was forecasted for this region. Testing may include a simple speed measurement using only the reed switches and magnets. Once the best designs are tested a better generator can be designed. A 3D printable generator would be a different project if an open-source model cannot be found.

Video showing all bottle configurations

Files for Wind Generator Turbine Design Tests

To do:
  • Cut and drill new bottle holders
  • Construct wind turbines
  • Print smaller pulleys
  • Cut new support arms to go between pulley and generator
  • Start testing


First time here?

Completed projects from year 1.
Completed projects from year 2.






2015-05-28 (Th)