Very cool, small and simple hydro setup
 

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1404851589

Ever wonder how much power you could make with only a little bit of water head? Well, thats exactly what this setup shows. With only 3 feet of head, and not a ton of water flow, these guys build a small water wheel generator. Its a great write up that shows how they made everything from beginning to end.

DIRECT DRIVE BANKI HYDRO

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...p-running1-jpg

So, 1.9A at 12V gives them roughly 23W continuous power generation day and night. Pretty cool!

Hope it was cheap to make. 200kwh annual production.

Its been a while since reading it, but I think it was mostly made from stuff laying around.

Anybody ever weld up a crossflow turbine.


Thinking 2 old brake rotors and sections cut from 4" pipe for vanes would work well, but the old 12" LR or Ford rotors I have in scrap pile are pretty heavy (need to carry the finished assy 1/4 mile thru the woods)

Mass shouldn't really matter too much. Once it gets going it'll just keep going.

Welding up a cross flow turbine seems difficult just due to putting the 2nd side/cap on and having enough room to weld. Perhaps you can get the gun in far enough to get the strength you need without getting the entire length welded?

Mass is important as I need to carry it 1/4 mile thru heavy woods! Plus the housing, supports, etc. The land rover old disks I have weigh 30# EACH!

Decided on using old table saw blades. Only need to weld 1/4" on each side of each end, plenty room to weld.

Found 2000 ft of 10 AWG at habitat restore for scrap prices, need about 1200 ft of line to get to cabin, figure on 300 Vdc on line (custom wound generator) and an inverter at the cabin, just tap the 300 Vdc into the dc boost line on a 12 V inverter and set to go.