B&Q Wind Turbines (Merged Thread)

colinS

Flash Estivo,

Thanks very much for the pic, it's the best siting I have seen for this turbine. Can you answer my question about furling, does it furl in high winds? Have you got your new software update? Windsave is claiming it will be ready by April (this year I presume, but with Windsave you never can tell).

Flash_Estivo

Hi Colins

Yes it does Furl or turn away when the wind gets too strong or is gusting. It then just turns back a few seconds later and starts up again.
You seem to need dare I say the right sort of wind with these things. Sometimes it can generate up to 3/4 Kwh per day but on average I'm getting just over 1 so far and yes I know thats in the winter.
Last week when I spoke to windsave they told me that they were developing a new improved version of their invertor which would be ready in 4-6 weeks. I asked if it would improve the performance and they said yes but they also said it was being delevoped to improve the business of it cutting out at high wind speeds so I doubt we will see any improvement at the lower speeds. They are also testing out new mounting dampers of some sort to improve noise/vibrations within the building.

colinS

Flash Esstivo,

Thanks very much for you prompt replies to my questions. If I could trouble you some more, are you sure about the meaning of furling? Does the turbine actually fold, with the altenator and blades at 90degrees to the tail. If tail cannot fold back the turbine must be continually swinging to and fro as the blades try to get out of the wind and the tail forces them back. I keep on about this because I think it is the root of the problems with this turbine. No other turbine uses braking to stop the alternator burning out, it just isn't done; furling the tail or altering the pitch of the blades until they stall is the usual methods used. On some older turbines air brakes have been used, but they are not used now. Even the very large utility sized turbines are evenually turned out of the wind when it gets to gale force.

The other reason I go on about it is that the turbines on display at B&Q have no hinging mechanism, so they can't fold. If something is added to them after they have been purchased, then I think that people who are not satisfied with the turbines performance may have a case for demanding their money back; if what you see is not what you get then it's a missell as far as I am concerned - but whether the law would be concerned I do not know.

I hope I am not being a pain to you with these question, but nobody else is giving any good data about the Windsave turbine, and Windsave themselves give so little technical data out.

soupmum

I agree with this -as an nhs working mum of 3 with a husband who works for a local authority,we really want to reduce our families impact on the environment - but we're family on a strict budget and have to make do with changing small everyday things to make a difference-there are no green grants for us-ive checked-and certainly not in wales anyway-(unless you are on income support) so if youre like us,not loaded -its down to cutting down, re using,recycling-(even though our council(Wrexham) dont do it yet!), composting,reducing waste/packaging/food miles and looking for local food etc but some options are just not a reality yet for us-I feel that if if politicians focussed on helping more people to manage a little rather than relying on few people doing lots because they can afford it,the UK would be making more progress than it is!

magyar

soupmum wrote: »

I agree with this -as an nhs working mum of 3 with a husband who works for a local authority,we really want to reduce our families impact on the environment - but we're family on a strict budget and have to make do with changing small everyday things to make a difference-there are no green grants for us-ive checked-and certainly not in wales anyway-(unless you are on income support) so if youre like us,not loaded -its down to cutting down, re using,recycling-(even though our council(Wrexham) dont do it yet!), composting,reducing waste/packaging/food miles and looking for local food etc but some options are just not a reality yet for us-I feel that if if politicians focussed on helping more people to manage a little rather than relying on few people doing lots because they can afford it,the UK would be making more progress than it is!

Good first post!

Frances_P_3

Anyone considering a wind turbine would be wise to consider measuring the wind speed first to assess its viability, before the hassle of planning consent and the cost of buying a turbine.

Anemometers are inexpensive such as the one sold at https://www.speedofthewind.com which is only £70 and plugs into your PC allowing a constant monitoring over a period of time, with data and software provided in a clear simple way that makes assessment easy.

I would really recommend their product.

F

gromituk

...which links to a Windware anemometer kit, also available from other places - Google for it.

moonrakerz

Frances_P wrote: »

Anemometers are inexpensive such as the one sold at https://www.speedofthewind.com which is only £70 and plugs into your PC allowing a constant monitoring over a period of time, with data and software provided in a clear simple way that makes assessment easy.

I would really recommend their product.

F

£70 to see how inefficient a wind turbine will be. Send me £20 and I will tell you.

They don't see these people coming - they send for them !!!!

smudge2006

I am so tempted to get a wind turbine at the moment. All the negative publicity seems to be from people living in housing estates or valleys etc.

I'm on the top of a hill in the countryside and the house nearly gets blown away on a windy day! Is it still worth it?

magyar

smudge2006 wrote: »

I am so tempted to get a wind turbine at the moment. All the negative publicity seems to be from people living in housing estates or valleys etc.

I'm on the top of a hill in the countryside and the house nearly gets blown away on a windy day! Is it still worth it?

Of course it is! If you live on top of a hill and you consistently have high windspeeds then with the right turbine you'll get results.

Start with the British Wind Energy Association
http://www.bwea.com/small/index.html

(not B&Q... )