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Customer Project, Seagull 75
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Seagull 60 & 30 DIY Vertical Axis Wind Turbine plans
The Seagull DIY has been given a performance update. Now with a powerful 3 phase alternator, improved hub, aluminum blades and smaller size - the new Seagull puts out more power than before. It will easily raise battery voltage to 14.5 volts in 30 mph wind.
Making something that goes around with tremendous power, makes electricity, and doesn't fly apart is a daunting task. Add to that challenge - make it simple, affordable, and only requiring common tools and skills - it is nearly impossible.
Six years of research and development have gone into the design of the Seagull 60 &30.
The Seagull alternator is a lot more technical than it looks. Typically a single sided non-cogging axial alternator is thought of as too weak.
But what if it is strong and efficient? Just nine coils, 12 very strong N52 magnets make up the Seagull alternator and it charges a 12 volt battery at lower rpm than most any other alternator.
Blades for VAWTs are one area that has been a challenge. A strong and light blade is needed and that usually requires exotic composite materials, molds, extrusions.... You can make the Seagull blades in your garage with materials and tools you probably already have. They are strong proprietary airfoils that will perform. Another big breakthrough with this design is the ability to use the less expensive fiberglass polyester resin instead of epoxy coatings that cost $100 a gallon. One quart of polyester resin is all you need.
Usually a high speed lift type VAWT requires CNC and machined parts. The Seagull uses parts available at most any hardware store. And all you need are common tools. The most exotic tools required are a handheld jigsaw and a hacksaw. Oh, and scissors too
You don't need fancy electronics to control the Seagull. Because of the balanced design, output matches the exponential increase in power as wind-speed increases. There is little chance the Seagull will overcharge a battery bank because of its small size. And included in the plans is a simple circuit you can make from Radio Shack parts to boost voltage for trickle charging in the lightest of winds. It kicks up to full charging at 10 mph wind speed.
Even if you don't plan on building the Seagull 60, these plans will teach you a lot about an alternator that with a handcrank will charge a 12 volt battery with little effort.
Packed with step by step detailed instructions, explanations and pages and pages of drawings and photographs, this DIY plan is a great resource for learning about wind turbines and electronics.
Specifications Seagull 60
Diameter 24 inches
Height 28 inches
Weight 10 Lbs
Pole size 1.5" EMT
Coils 23 awg Essex magnet wire
Resistance 6.0 ohms three phase
Voltage .08 volts/rpm 1.5 x .75 x .25" N52 Neo magnets
Start-up 2 mph
Cut-in speed 7.2 mph
Rpm range 0-400 rpm
Specifications Seagull 30
Diameter 18 inches
Height 20 inches
Weight 6 Lbs
Pole size 1.0" EMT
Coils 26 awg Essex magnet wire
Resistance 5 ohms three phase
Voltage .07 volts/rpm 1 x .5 x .125" N52 Neo magnets
Start-up 2 mph
Cut-in speed 7.2 mph
Rpm range 0-500 rpm
Making something that goes around with tremendous power, makes electricity, and doesn't fly apart is a daunting task. Add to that challenge - make it simple, affordable, and only requiring common tools and skills - it is nearly impossible.
Six years of research and development have gone into the design of the Seagull 60 &30.
The Seagull alternator is a lot more technical than it looks. Typically a single sided non-cogging axial alternator is thought of as too weak.
But what if it is strong and efficient? Just nine coils, 12 very strong N52 magnets make up the Seagull alternator and it charges a 12 volt battery at lower rpm than most any other alternator.
Blades for VAWTs are one area that has been a challenge. A strong and light blade is needed and that usually requires exotic composite materials, molds, extrusions.... You can make the Seagull blades in your garage with materials and tools you probably already have. They are strong proprietary airfoils that will perform. Another big breakthrough with this design is the ability to use the less expensive fiberglass polyester resin instead of epoxy coatings that cost $100 a gallon. One quart of polyester resin is all you need.
Usually a high speed lift type VAWT requires CNC and machined parts. The Seagull uses parts available at most any hardware store. And all you need are common tools. The most exotic tools required are a handheld jigsaw and a hacksaw. Oh, and scissors too
You don't need fancy electronics to control the Seagull. Because of the balanced design, output matches the exponential increase in power as wind-speed increases. There is little chance the Seagull will overcharge a battery bank because of its small size. And included in the plans is a simple circuit you can make from Radio Shack parts to boost voltage for trickle charging in the lightest of winds. It kicks up to full charging at 10 mph wind speed.
Even if you don't plan on building the Seagull 60, these plans will teach you a lot about an alternator that with a handcrank will charge a 12 volt battery with little effort.
Packed with step by step detailed instructions, explanations and pages and pages of drawings and photographs, this DIY plan is a great resource for learning about wind turbines and electronics.
Specifications Seagull 60
Diameter 24 inches
Height 28 inches
Weight 10 Lbs
Pole size 1.5" EMT
Coils 23 awg Essex magnet wire
Resistance 6.0 ohms three phase
Voltage .08 volts/rpm 1.5 x .75 x .25" N52 Neo magnets
Start-up 2 mph
Cut-in speed 7.2 mph
Rpm range 0-400 rpm
Specifications Seagull 30
Diameter 18 inches
Height 20 inches
Weight 6 Lbs
Pole size 1.0" EMT
Coils 26 awg Essex magnet wire
Resistance 5 ohms three phase
Voltage .07 volts/rpm 1 x .5 x .125" N52 Neo magnets
Start-up 2 mph
Cut-in speed 7.2 mph
Rpm range 0-500 rpm