Self supporting, tilt up tower for a 2kW turbine

[Bargeman]

Hello,

I understand that the guys for a 2kW on a 9m tower should be set at least 6 metres from the base of the tower, giving an overall footprint of about 12 x 12 metres. This may be a problem at a site I am investigating where the footprint is restricted. Can anybody let me know where I might be able to source a self supporting, tilt-up tower capable of mounting the 2 kW turbine ? Also, has anybody actually mounted a Navitron 2kW turbine on a self supporting tower yet ?

regards

[AndySV1K]

This may be a little unproven, but has anyone thought of using someone like Altron for towers?

They make CCTV towers, they can be winch down too so you could have nice easy access for maintenance or storm protection, may even help with planning permission!

http://www.altron.co.uk/modular.asp

They are quite substantial bits of metal.

Andy.

[f828]

Would this work or would it be too weak?

tilt up tower:http://www.beyondinnovation.co.uk/towers.html

[Ivan]

Difficult to say without actually going through the measurements and calculations with a structural engineer. The FutureEnergy turbine is smaller diameter than the corresponding Navitron turbine, so the Navitron turbine will produce more torque on the tower.

We will be stocking some self-supporting towers for the 1kW turbine from the end of DECEMBER - again it may be possible to use these with the 2kW turbine, but you would need to check the structural calculations.

[westcott]

Isn't the FutureEnergy turbine lighter as well?

Ivan, when you say "We will be stocking some self-supporting towers for the 1kW turbine from the end of september", is that Sep 2007?

[Ivan]

Absolutely right, yes, our turbine is much heavier - that too will need to be taken into account.

Sorry, I must have been falling asleep! It should have said that we will be stocking the self-supporting towers from the end of DECEMBER. I have modified the original post to avoid confusion.

[charlieblair]

Hi
Is the standard tower that comes with the 2KW turbine (I'm lucky and have no size or erection problems ;-) ) tilt up using a gin pole like the 5KW tower? If not, is there any way of lowering the turbine if there's a gale warning? Or do people who've bought these just leave them up and hope for the best?

Also, does anyone have a PDF of the 2KW instruction manual? I have seen the 5KW and just want to check any difference in the details before I go ahead and buy (probably a 2KW at first).

Thanks
Charlie

[Ivan]

I cannot remember if there is a gin pole with the 2kW or not. There are two versions of the 2kW turbine - tailed and tail-less. From memory, I think there is a gin pole with the tail-less turbine but maybe not with the tailed version. You would need to check the spec before ordering. The next batch are available from the end of December, although we have quite a lot of advance orders for these. The manual for the 5kW wind turbine is intended to be generic for the 2kW - 20kW range of tail-less turbines. The tailed 2kW turbine follows along the lines of the 1kW turbine.

Don't be too 'cocky' about erection problems. Sometimes the most confident people can experience problems half way through the job!

[charlieblair]

Very good! I knew that was coming.     (and I'm sure various problems will arise)

As I understand it the tail-less (and therefore Gin ed) turbine comes with an anemometer to attach to the tower, which furls the whole turbine to reduce power.  Can anyone think of a way to log the wind speed data directly from the wind turbine controller?

Can I download the manuals/spec from the Navitron www somewhere Ivan?

C

[wyleu]

The frequency of the AC out of the turbine should be a fair indication of the rpm's of the device. So it's zero crossing, timers and counters and then out to the inevitable one-wire system

[Alan]

Hello Charlie

If you go for the tailless turbine you just drive it 180 degrees out of the known high wind direction from the charge controller. I have not had to short out the three phase cables from the turbine in the wind conditions I have had in Essex. In a remote exposed location I would suggest the cables are shorted in very high winds.

Regards

Alan

[Peter.N.]

I have recently purchased from ebay a 30' Versatower, amateur radio mast which I am hoping will be suitable, it's certainly substantial, but requires a cubic metre of concrete to mount the ground post.

Peter.N.

[Ivan]

If there is less clearance between tower and blades, you may end up with a lower survival speed (blades bend in strong winds)  - something to bear in mind.