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Dynamo Hubs For Wind Turbines



Dynamo Hubs For Wind Turbines

Dynamo Hubs for use in Wind Turbine Generators

wind | electronics
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A common way of learning more about wind turbines is to build your own with easily available cheap parts. For many years now old Sturmey Archer Dynohubs have been used for this purpose. Available at scrap prices, they generated 3 Watts at 6 Volts - perfect for lighting some LEDs or small bulbs. However as more and more people have caught the wind power bug, these 40 year old hubs have become more and more pricey and difficult to find, and are finally approaching the prices of new modern equivalents.

Retail prices for dynamo hubs typically start at around £30-40 for the most basic model, up well into the hundreds of pounds.. However, for use in a small wind turbine generator the cheaper models are perfectly acceptable. The difference in price gets you a lighter weight hub (a disadvantage) and a little less resistance, better weather proofing, and better build quality (all advantages).
Here are the details of some alternatives to the Sturmey Archer Dynohub:

Shimano Nexus Dynamo Hub


Shimano Nexus Dynamo Hub

6 Volts and 3 Watts of power, this dynamo hub is designed for use as a front wheel hub and comes complete with a switch. Typical retail prices are £40-75 however last year's models are usually available on ebay from around £20 plus £5 delivery.

Schmidt Dynamo Hub


Schmidt Dynamo Hub

This Scmidt Dynamo Hub is also a 6 Volt 3 Watt model, however it is the most efficient hub dynamo available (99.77% efficiency claimed). Priced at over £100 retail it is getting very close to the typical price of a Permanent Magnet Alternator made specifically for wind turbine use and with a far higher power output (hundreds of Watts). Therefore you would be very unlikely to invest in this ultra-reliable superbly well-sealed little generator - but if you happen upon one in a few years at a car boot sale or on ebay, snap it up right away!

Article Last Modified: 08:41, 18th Dec 2006


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© 2006-2008 REUK - All Rights Reserved
Page Last Updated on 18th November 2008 at 01:51:59pm

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