VAWT035

A robust way to measure RPM using a technique modeled after the LM2907 frequency to voltage converter. I like this technique for the following reasons: It uses regularly spaced, clock generated interrupts. There are no division operations that could lead to a divide by zero error. There are no subtraction operations that could lead to sign errors. It is robust to noise such as contact bounce. It naturally filters out high frequency noise in the signal. It does not require an analog input. The code is very compact; although, it does require floating point math.

Final thoughts on the 0.35 m^2 vertical axis wind turbine project.

A detailed look at making the stator for a vertical axis wind turbine.

A detailed look at the assembly process of a wind turbine.

Demolding the cast part and finish machining.

Making a cast rotor from a 3D printed model.

Repairing a damaged wind turbine.

Repairs to a damaged wind turbine.

A look at the wind turbine before construction details.

A detailed look at the rotor assembly for a vertical axis wind turbine.

A brief look at the turbine rotor.

A look at how things were going after running the turbine for a while.

Testing the overspeed protection circuit.

Some additional observations on the overspeed protection circuit.

Construction details for the wind turbine airfoil.

Locating the VAWT to a windier location for longer term testing.

A short video of the turbine in operation.

A new location for VAWT testing.

A load controller for the vertical axis wind turbine to help it operate near its peak energy producing speed for a given wind speed.

A test of a circuit to protect the VAWT in the event of too much wind.

An update on the LM2596 control circuit.

Testing an improved controller for the vertical axis wind turbine that uses a higher current chip; the LM2596.

A detailed look at the wiring.

A short clip of the wind powered light in action.

A detailed look at a setup for using wind power to provide light.