Original Posted By: Doc Mosher
Subject: Pietenpol-List: External wind driven airplane generator on Ebay (questionsanswered)I've had several off-list questions about the generator I have listed on Ebay. I tried to add additional pictures to address the questions, but it seemsonce someone has placed a bid on an item, you can't add a picture. I'm happy tosend extra picture if you'll contact me through the auction. I think it would be an easy task to make a quick release plate for this. I have see belly pods on Avid's and Kitfoxes that were bulkier and heavier and I believe this would be an easier install than a belly (cargo) pod on an Avid.#1. The unit stands about 11 inches tall. That would make it hang about 10 inches below the belly of an airplane.#2. It would best be mounted in the slipstream under the belly. The instruction manual suggests it cranks out 10 amps at 80 mph, and that can be achievedunder the belly of an Air Camper, unless you are at idle engine RPM.#3. The prop on the generator is made from aluminum and it looks to be cast. The "hub" is machined so should not slip on the shaft. The blade looks be about 5 inches on each side.#4. I think the best place to mount would be directly under the passenger and some kind of plate on both sides of the wooden floor would be needed to provide reinforcement. Doubling the plywood with an extra layer should do, or twoplates of aluminum about 8 inches wide and 10 inches long should work.#5. I was told from the person who purchased it at an estate auction in Michigan last year that it appears this generator has never been in service. Theoriginal owner passed away and it was in a hanger with a project airplane. Theonly paperwork that came with this was the 8 page manual and on the front it states "FAA/PMA" thus the reason these things are expensive when new. The manualis dated 1998, so I suspect this generator is 6 years old. I think it would provide years of service and it looks like it would be easy to put new brushesin it, should they ever become worn. ________________________________________________________________________________Date: Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:27:56 -0600
Pietenpol-List: External wind driven airplane generator on Ebay (questions
RE: Pietenpol-List: wind generator
Original Posted By: "Phillips, Jack"
For someone who is using a battery anyway, should be able to use a very small alternatorfrom a car to mount a prop and mounting to.walt evansNX140DL________________________________________________________________________________Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: wind generatorDate: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 20:53:21 -0000
For someone who is using a battery anyway, should be able to use a very small alternatorfrom a car to mount a prop and mounting to.walt evansNX140DL________________________________________________________________________________Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: wind generatorDate: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 20:53:21 -0000
Re: Pietenpol-List: wind generator
Original Posted By: "David Paulsen"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: wind generatorA machinist friend on mine in El Paso tried making his own homemade unit, first using an alternator from a Chrysler (which I believe is basically the samething found on many certified airplanes) but he removed it from his experimental airplane after a few weeks. The first problem was the Chrysler alternatorhad a diameter about the size of a large can of Folgers coffee. He said the extra drag from hanging such a large object with massive frontal area created somuch drag, it caused problems. The second problem was when the alternator locked up.He then tried using an alternator from (memory escapes me, but it was either from a Subaru or a Toyota.) He tried the Japanese alternator because it had a smaller frontal diameter. The Japanese unit had less drag, but still, the alternator locked up after a short period. Upon his investigation after disassembly of both alternators, he determined that the wind load placed on the bearings not designed for 80 MPH frontal loadscaused the failure. He switched to the version I have, and I never recall him having problems with the unit that was designed for this purpose.Of the several advantages of the Ward Aero Wind Driven Generator is the small frontal area. Instead of hanging something from the belly of an airplane that is the size of a large can of Folgers coffee, the Ward Aero unit is about the size of a Foster's Lager or a Colorado Cool-Aid. I suspect the Ward Aero aviation generator is engineered for different loads and stresses since it is rated 250 mph VNE.________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: wind generatorA machinist friend on mine in El Paso tried making his own homemade unit, first using an alternator from a Chrysler (which I believe is basically the samething found on many certified airplanes) but he removed it from his experimental airplane after a few weeks. The first problem was the Chrysler alternatorhad a diameter about the size of a large can of Folgers coffee. He said the extra drag from hanging such a large object with massive frontal area created somuch drag, it caused problems. The second problem was when the alternator locked up.He then tried using an alternator from (memory escapes me, but it was either from a Subaru or a Toyota.) He tried the Japanese alternator because it had a smaller frontal diameter. The Japanese unit had less drag, but still, the alternator locked up after a short period. Upon his investigation after disassembly of both alternators, he determined that the wind load placed on the bearings not designed for 80 MPH frontal loadscaused the failure. He switched to the version I have, and I never recall him having problems with the unit that was designed for this purpose.Of the several advantages of the Ward Aero Wind Driven Generator is the small frontal area. Instead of hanging something from the belly of an airplane that is the size of a large can of Folgers coffee, the Ward Aero unit is about the size of a Foster's Lager or a Colorado Cool-Aid. I suspect the Ward Aero aviation generator is engineered for different loads and stresses since it is rated 250 mph VNE.________________________________________________________________________________