Paul
One thing you should remember is the speed control or regulator to
avoid over speeding in heavy wind. Without knowing the subject, I
would think a hobby engineer would be able to build a wind generator
successfully and have a enjoyable time with it. But it may not be
cheaper than getting a commercial one.
Here are some info: http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.html
http://www.bwea.com/you/byo.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/06/how_to_build_yo_1.php

--- In Beyond_cheap_fuel@..., "laurence200857"
<laurence.wilkins@...> wrote:
>
> Paul, I admire your enthusiasm, I really do, but are your really
SURE
> you want to build one yourself? This is a path that has been trodden
> by many, many organisations before the likes of you and I, with
> development budgets in excess of some countries' GDP!!
>
> I would worry that you could spend a lot of time, money and effort
> (enthusiasm) figuring out what others have already learned, only yo
> end up reinventing the wheel (windmill?). How could you or I ever
> achieve the efficiency, reliability and safety of commercial
designs?
>
> Why not read up on the subject, so that you understand the science a
> little better (there are many good books available), and you will
then
> be able to make a much better informed choice about the commercial
> solutions out there.
>
> Commercial products are too expensive, you might say? Well, there's
a
> reason for that! The design and development knowledge and expensive
> production materials that went into those products has to be paid
for
> somehow, and in what is already a largely competitive and free
market,
> wind turbines cost what they need to cost. Green energy's main
> challenge, of course, is not so much that alternative energy is too
> expensive, but that fossil fuel is STILL to damn cheap (not a
popular
> view, I realise, but the simple truth).
>
> Paul, don't give up your quest for a more environmentally friendly
> life style, but don't make it hard on yourself, either :)
>
> Regards
>
> Laurence Wilkins (In a windy UK right now....)
>
>
> -- In Beyond_cheap_fuel@..., "Paul Flatt" <nce@>
wrote:
> >
> > I want to build a wind generator that will put out 1000Watts.
> >
> > What type blushless motor should get??? and how long should my
> blades be?
> >
> > I want to mount it on my tilt up 50' tower.
> >
> > Paul in Minnesota
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>