Town Hall Alliance

This was the first of 2 Concrete Pours for the 100 foot tower.  We will wait 4 weeks after the last concrete pour before the tower is raised.  Before we raise the tower, we will run conduit up the tower for getting 3 phase power that will be generated by the turbine.  We will also install the 15 foot blades and tail.  We hope to offset our power consumption and analysis indicates we have a 10 MPH average wind speed which will equate to 19,727 KW Hours generated per year.  That is 60% of my consumption.  If the wind average goes to 12 MPH on the average, this will generate over 33,000 KW Hours per year, or 96% of my power consumption.  SMECO has approved the inverter to be used and wire layout.  In fact, SMECO is excited with the project.  While most folks may not install a turbine, I was able to help clear the road blocks I encountered so that others may follow.  The biggest Road Block was Variances in the Critical Area.  After contined pressure up to the Governor Level, no Variances are required in the Critical Area.  I will update the Post on Progress.

Below is the 2nd and Final Concrete Pour.  I have to wait 28 days before I can raise the tower so that I get the Max Strength of the Concrete.  2nd Pour was done on 1 March 2010.

Below, is what was done yesterday (3-5-10).  We chained the top of the tower section in the concrete to a fork lift boom and un-bolted the tower base secure bolts and "Slowly" lowered the tower section to the ground.  We then re-attached the rest of the tower and added the Turbine Generator at the top.  Just need to tighten bolts, spray some preservation spray, add blades and tail.  My electricin is coming monday to finish up his wiring from the house to the base of the tower and running conduit up the tower for getting 3 phase Power and also sending the Field Power lines so the generator provides power.  Getting Closer...

The last 2 weeks of March I have been working on the Turbine Blades.  Some sanding was needed along with some fiberglass work and special bondo used for boats to repair some areas.  The old paint job was not so good so I did an overhaul.  I made up a jig over the weekend to hold the blades so all I had to do was 1 paint job.  I had to get my large wood lathe to make the jig holder and it came out great.  I painted the blades this morning with my Airless sprayer.  The paint was a White Epoxy that had an Epoxy part and the Resin/Set part.  Here are the Before and After views of the blades.

Above is Before Paint of Blades on the Jig I built.

Below are the Painted Blades: