Sunday 30 June 2013



First destruction test of the vertical axis wind turbine.
This was mainly to see what kind of winds it would take unloaded, and where would need strengthening. I also measured revs and tip speed ratio.
Overall it held together very well, mounted on the back of the car (slightly insane, but effective) at up to 80 km/h, the only point that seems to have failed is the area where the flat of the vane meets the curve, as shown at the end of the video. This is due to the flat flapping and flexing, which is what I'll now fix with the next build.
I'll be getting more plates this week, rebuild with an improved design, and retest (hopefully over 100 km/h).