John Rodgers on thu 8 may 03
One day a man came in to my Alaska shop down on the Kenai Peninsula. He
was from the Netherlands, had worked for the big intenational oil
companies all his life, was recently retired, and was looking for a
place to settle and build a new home. In his hands he had the drawings
for his new home. They were blueprints for a full size Dutch Windmill. I
was really intrigued. We had a long discussion about his plans, both
where to settle and the structure of his house. The long and short of it
was he planned to generate power with his windmill, both for his house
and to feed back to the power company for credit.
The windmill was a marvel of engineering. The big blades were not
simple propeller blades, but properly called sails. Wood frames with
canvas on one side, and to regulate the catch of the wind, the canvase
was furled or unfurled as the need required. The top of the windmill was
a turret, something that I never knew, and as such it kept the sails
always turned to catch the wind, no matter which direction it blew in
from. In the center was a gearbox and a shaft that went down into the
structure and through gearing drove various things including the
generator. The building was an amazing thing to see in those drawings.
I was told that the people live in the windmills, and that is exactly
what he and his wife intended to do. It actually loked like a fun venture.
He did not settle there, however. He said winters were to cold. I sure
would like to have seen that windmill constructed. It would have been a
fascinating thing to behold.
The reason for this little discourse is simply to suggest that wind
sails to drive generaters may be the way to go, as opposed to propellers
to drive generators.
Regards to all,
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:
>Hi Carol,
>
>Yes indeed, how wonderful it would be to generate
>Electricity with the Wind...
>And that it is very elegant to do so, or can be.
>Actually, that was allways
>a big dream of mine - and I would still love to do it.
>
>One could certainly make a Windmill as would run a generator
>sufficient to power a Kiln, provided there were something of
>a steady breeze to rely on, and it would be such fun to do
>so too...if maybe a little expensive to build, and needing a
>'keeper' to attend or maintain somewhat.
>
>Also, one can generate Electricity harnessing the motion of
>Waves or Tides, but not so nicely in some ways compared
>to doing so from the sundry currents of steadily flowing Air
>or
>Water.
>
>
>It would be an interesting task to get Electricity from
>motion of the
>Ocean's
>waves, and it would be an interesting, challengeing project
>to make a
>device as
>would generate enough for a Kiln...but as for
>household Lighting, as is mediated with Batteries, it would
>not be near so huge a chore I don't think.
>
>I had sat down once ( jeeeeesh, like in 1982?) and figured
>out
>the details of running
>my ( then mostly 'envisioned') Shop from a Windmill, or as
>well from the
>Batteries it would
>keep charged, as well as running Machines through shafts and
>belts as are powered directly from the Windmill's
>transmitted rotations...or to sell 'power' to neighbors, if
>I had a truely 'steady' breeze as my companion.
>
>One could also emply a Hydraulic method to transmit the
>Wind's force to run one's Machines or what, rather than
>shafts and
>belts, which is a good option.
>
>One may make large wet Cell Batteries fairly easily, which
>is kinder to the pocket book than the cost and freight of
>buying them. It is helpfulif one likes the smell of Hydrogen
>and Sulfuric Acid, and it is best not to light Cigarettes
>when the big-boys are in a 'charging-mode'...
>
>As I could build a very decent windmill to suit my
>intentions, (or if I had the money for materials, and the
>time and place TO do it,) the entire thing would be a great
>and integrated project to do,
>and
>very nearly all of it 'made' rather than 'bought'...
>
>One may make a dynamo for generateing the 'D-C', and one may
>make a
>generator as well for one's 'A-C' to be run either from the
>Windmill itself, or from a 'D-C'
>Motor as run from the Batteries iif the Breeze is on a
>respite...just as one please, and
>to look as one want them to look, too.
>
>Most modern Windmills as I had seen through the years,
>( that is, aside from the very scarce now of 'Farm' pump
>types
>and I am not thinking of those for these kinds of 'work') do
>not
>seem to have the torque
>to do much, or, are no longer made forthrightly of Wood, or
>of Wood and Steel, in such ways as where a Man could readily
>make one. They look like they are designed by computers,
>and made by aeronautical firms.
>The older designs as enjoyed promenance in their
>day, are something an intelligent Mechanic can
>build, and even if reduced in
>their scale,
>may put our plenty of torque for one's needs.
>
>I think the one I had decided to make was calculated to
>produce about 32 Horsepower in a six mile an hour wind,
>and
>pretty much silently, too...which would still give me plenty
>in a four or five mile an hour of breeze, or, simply, more
>power
>than I'd ever need maybe anyway...
>
>As it's design enjoyed a self regulateing variable pitch to
>the blades, irregularities in the Wind's velocity were
>somewhat smoothed out as per the setting one elects for the
>R.P.M. regulation as effects the pitch, and also, it moved
>to follow the Wind's
>direction, as did most of the old ones.
>
>In the event of high Winds, one is best to unleash the
>riggings and slide the Oil-Cloths from the Blades...and wait
>matters out. These kind did not rotate swiftly...and ( I do
>not remember now, but) likely are happy at something like,
>or not far from, 20 or 30 to maybe 45 R.P.M. I think...but
>not much more.
>
>The four or six Blades being as some thirty feet in
>length, describe then a circle of some sixty odd
>feet...not something meant to rotate very quickly, nor
>needing to.
>
>This - the mechanical method for Machines to be run from
>some Wind or Water source - had been quite popular at one
>time
>and you may recall that America had near as many Windmills
>as Holland for all
>sorts of tasks.
>Many Shops and small Factories and Mills also were run from
>Water
>Wheels, or from Water driven Turbines set fairly deeply in
>Rivers or
>Streams ( which
>had advantage in
>colder climes when the surface had frozen to some deapth).
>
>One could buy such 'Turbines' mail order through much of the
>second half of the Nineteenth Cent...
>I have no idea of what may be available now in these
>matters, but it is a very good method if one does not mind
>there being not much to see, as compared to a Windmill...
>
>As most of my Machines were 'flat-belt' or remain so, and
>shall even more so over time, and
>others may be readily converted to that way-of-faith, it
>would not be hard to have all my Stationary Machines set up
>to be run from the belts and shafts driven of a Windmill's
>turns. Whilst the smaller Electric Tools could certainly
>be run from a small 'A-C' or some of them on a 'D-C' out-put
>got as above mentioned.
>
>Be fun...and very satisfying I think...
>
>Hmmmmmmm...it is hard to think of anything I'd rather do,
>now that I muse on it!
>
>The best of all 'worlds' in it's way...
>
>Phil
>el vee
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Carol Olavarri"
>To:
>Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 11:59 AM
>Subject: Re: running kiln off generator
>
>
>
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>Boy you and my husband would get along great. He would
>>
>>
>love to run
>
>
>>everything off generators and batteries. I agree with the
>>
>>
>whole concept but
>
>
>>guess I am spoiled so try to eliminate the generator in my
>>
>>
>fields and use in
>
>
>>his. HA- mechanically challenged I am and even the thought
>>
>>
>of using a kiln
>
>
>>is daunting enough at this point without adding in running
>>
>>
>the generator. I
>
>
>>would love to be able to bypass the electric company as we
>>
>>
>pay 27 cents. Now
>
>
>>give me windpower. That I would love but the Native
>>
>>
>Hawaiians just do not
>
>
>>like windmills dotting the countryside which I can agree
>>
>>
>can be unsightly.
>
>
>>Thanks for your time and your input. I do so appreciate
>>
>>
>all the help and
>
>
>>advise I have been given.
>>
>>Much Aloha,
>>Carol
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From:
>>To:
>>Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 1:03 PM
>>Subject: Re: running kiln off generator
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>I like the idea, that is, if one aspire to run an
>>>
>>>
>Electric
>
>
>>>Kiln...or if one aspire to run anything...with
>>>
>>>
>Electricity.
>
>
>>>When I move, 'finally', I shall have a nice, (big,
>>>
>>>
>handsome,
>
>
>>>robust, and I hope, 'Old') Generator for
>>>myself.
>>>
>>>I almost got one awhile back as ( I forget the output,
>>>
>>>
>but )
>
>
>>>seemed 'sufficient'...powered by a two-hundred eighty
>>>
>>>
>odd
>
>
>>>cubic
>>>inch Six-Cylinder "Herculese" (Side-Valve - aka 'Flat
>>>
>>>
>Head')
>
>
>>>Engine, the whole being on 'skids' and seeming a mite
>>>'heavy'
>>>to me so far as getting it brought home and all...
>>>
>>>Made 1961 and needed a little 'tlc', but the price was
>>>'right' I felt, being some $500.00...it was clean and
>>>
>>>
>had no
>
>
>>>visable damage. 'Parts' did not appear to be a problem
>>>
>>>
>to my
>
>
>>>cursory researches, so
>>>far as rings and mainbearings and so on went, should it
>>>
>>>
>have
>
>
>>>needed them, and maybe it didn't...or, one could set up
>>>about any used Engine of
>>>suitable Horse Power to run the Electricity making
>>>part...reconfigure the outfit for that...if one wanted.
>>>
>>>Or jack up the 'Car' and run a hefty 'Belt' from a rear
>>>wheel...and use the thing as-needed...
>>>
>>>It did not look like it would be shy from making
>>>
>>>
>'plenty' of
>
>
>>>Amps, or 'watts' or...
>>>
>>>Plenty of spunk, anyway...
>>>
>>>So...once I am moved from here and have more room...I'll
>>>do it then...fine me one and bring 'er home and use it
>>>happily too.
>>>
>>>Run my 'lights' and little 'fridge from 'Batteries', and
>>>fire 'er up as needed for other matters or to recharge
>>>
>>>
>the
>
>
>>>Battery banks...
>>>
>>>The hell with these infernal 'power companies'...I'd
>>>
>>>
>rather
>
>
>>>'pay' more to spite the bastards than continue to be a
>>>
>>>
>sap.
>
>
>>>Or even...find a Gas line as is some ways before the
>>>
>>>
>'meter'
>
>
>>>and
>>>when they are doing their 'maintenance' , (or, with some
>>>precipitateing interventions as may inspire them TO 'do'
>>>some 'maintenance' ) and they have
>>>matters thence
>>>in the 'off' mode, as they must do, just run a little
>>>stub of a 'line' with a nice Ball Valve on it, and
>>>
>>>
>return to
>
>
>>>it at one's liesure...whilst 'Gardening' or whatever,
>>>
>>>
>and be
>
>
>>>a
>>>happy boy or girl...
>>>
>>>Keeps the 'Oil' clean, and so on too
>>>that-a-way...round up some old 'Propane' Carburetor
>>>set-up...and...let 'er "purr"...
>>>
>>>And why not?
>>>
>>>Like they would not ( in fact, do not) 'do' the same?
>>>
>>>Ha!
>>>
>>>...if 'enron' is good enough for mr bush and his golf
>>>buddies, who am I to argue?
>>>
>>>Are we not obliged to their guidence by example in these
>>>(and other)
>>>matters?
>>>
>>>Phil
>>>el vee
>>>
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "Carol Olavarri"
>>>To:
>>>Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 8:45 PM
>>>Subject: Re: running kiln off generator
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>HI John,
>>>>
>>>>Thanks very much. This was really informative. I have
>>>>
>>>>
>been
>
>
>>>against the
>>>
>>>
>>>>generator idea ( secretly think my husband just wants
>>>>
>>>>
>a
>
>
>>>bigger gen than he
>>>
>>>
>>>>has now) and do not think with the amount of firing I
>>>>
>>>>
>>>shall do- maybe once a
>>>
>>>
>>>>month that it shall be prohibitive. They are flexible
>>>>
>>>>
>with
>
>
>>>fires here-
>>>
>>>
>>>>people still burn trash in barrels though I don't. The
>>>>
>>>>
>>>tradewinds keep the
>>>
>>>
>>>>air super clean but I figure that pollution has to be
>>>>
>>>>
>>>going somewhere so
>>>
>>>
>>>>just want to not add any for any other people.
>>>>
>>>>I shall print out all advise I get and go from there.
>>>>
>>>>
>The
>
>
>>>cost to ship over
>>>
>>>
>>>>is gonna kill me but getting a used one here on the
>>>>
>>>>
>Island
>
>
>>>is like finding
>>>
>>>
>>>>gold. Wood expensive unless we use the trees around
>>>>
>>>>
>that
>
>
>>>are like balsa
>>>
>>>
>>>>which burn up in 2 secs. I intend to ask my brother
>>>>
>>>>
>about
>
>
>>>the home made gas
>>>
>>>
>>>>kiln though as might be feasible. I am interested in
>>>>
>>>>
>>>functional so that
>>>
>>>
>>>>makes me require more also.
>>>>
>>>>Again thanks much. I envy you Alaska- well someday I
>>>>
>>>>
>shall
>
>
>>>see it
>>>
>>>
>>>>Have a great one and thanks for your time,
>>>>Carol
>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>From: "John Rodgers"
>>>>To:
>>>>Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 10:13 AM
>>>>Subject: Re: running kiln off generator
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Carol, I understand about the price of energy to
>>>>>
>>>>>
>run
>
>
>>>kilns being
>>>
>>>
>>>>>expensive. I lived in Alaska for a long time, and as
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>with Hiwaii, the
>>>
>>>
>>>>>further out in the bush one went, the more expensive
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>everything got.
>>>
>>>
>>>>>As to energy for the kiln, you really need to look
>>>>>
>>>>>
>at
>
>
>>>the various
>>>
>>>
>>>>>options and consider the long and short of it.
>>>>>
>>>>>Electricity: I'm sure it is locally available,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>everyone
>
>
>>>has it to one
>>>
>>>
>>>>>degree or another, and it is readily, though
>>>>>
>>>>>
>expensively
>
>
>>>available to
>>>
>>>
>>>>>run a kiln. No muss, no fuss or at least minimally
>>>>>
>>>>>
>so in
>
>
>>>getting an
>>>
>>>
>>>>>electric kiln hooked up and ready to go.Requires you
>>>>>
>>>>>
>to
>
>
>>>buy a kiln on
>>>
>>>
>>>>>the mainland, have it shipped, all relatively
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>expensive - Kiln plus
>>>
>>>
>>>>>shipping, plus hook up.
>>>>>
>>>>>Gas: I don't know about natural or propane gas
>>>>>
>>>>>
>there,
>
>
>>>but expensive I
>>>
>>>
>>>>>would expect as compared to electricity. But would
>>>>>
>>>>>
>burn
>
>
>>>clean, minimum
>>>
>>>
>>>>>fuss. If you were inovative, I would bet you could
>>>>>
>>>>>
>build
>
>
>>>a small gas
>>>
>>>
>>>>>kiln for less than it would cost you to import an
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>electric kiln. Then
>>>
>>>
>>>>>you would only need to be concerned about gas costs.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>You
>
>
>>>would not need
>>>
>>>
>>>>>to be concerned about electrical outages disrupting
>>>>>
>>>>>
>a
>
>
>>>firing - unless
>>>
>>>
>>>>>you have used electricity some way in the operation
>>>>>
>>>>>
>of
>
>
>>>the gas kiln. Of
>>>
>>>
>>>>>course local ordinances may have a negative impact.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>But
>
>
>>>I would
>>>
>>>
>>>>>certainly look into the real cost of gas vs
>>>>>
>>>>>
>electricity.
>
>
>>>>>Home Owner Generator Electricity - A generator
>>>>>
>>>>>
>capable
>
>
>>>of production of
>>>
>>>
>>>>>power to supply 12500 Watts of power - 240 volts at
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>50-60 amps for 12
>>>
>>>
>>>>>hours is going to be one expensive puppy to
>>>>>
>>>>>
>purchase.
>
>
>>>Then there is the
>>>
>>>
>>>>>cost of maintenance on it. Then there is the cost of
>>>>>
>>>>>
>the
>
>
>>>gas to run it
>>>
>>>
>>>>>and that to will be a very expensive issue in
>>>>>
>>>>>
>Hiwaii.
>
>
>>>If you get a
>>>
>>>
>>>>>diesel fuel generator, the purchase cost will go up
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>again but hourly
>>>
>>>
>>>>>operating cost will be lower. . In Alaska many
>>>>>
>>>>>
>people
>
>
>>>living in remote
>>>
>>>
>>>>>locations used one-lungers as they were called - one
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>cylinder diesel
>>>
>>>
>>>>>generators -the Witte Generator was a popular brand.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>Pricey though but
>>>
>>>
>>>>>more efficient over all, and very dependable, than
>>>>>
>>>>>
>gas
>
>
>>>because the same
>>>
>>>
>>>>>fuel could be used to heat your house, and cook
>>>>>
>>>>>
>with,
>
>
>>>and heat your hot
>>>
>>>
>>>>>water. Less of a fire hazard than gas. Easier to
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>transport because of
>>>
>>>
>>>>>the reduced fire hazard.
>>>>>
>>>>>Wood: Local woods might be available if you check
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>around, so a wood fire
>>>
>>>
>>>>>kiln might be an option, although I expect there
>>>>>
>>>>>
>useable
>
>
>>>wood would be
>>>
>>>
>>>>>very scarce.. Then there may be environmental
>>>>>
>>>>>
>concerns
>
>
>>>as well as code
>>>
>>>
>>>>>limitations.
>>>>>
>>>>>Coal: Prol'ly out of the question
>>>>>
>>>>>But I would certainly look into the real cost of gas
>>>>>
>>>>>
>vs
>
>
>>>electricity.
>>>
>>>
>>>>>Unless you are in a location where some other fuel
>>>>>
>>>>>
>is
>
>
>>>convienently and
>>>
>>>
>>>>>inexpensively available electricity is probably
>>>>>
>>>>>
>going to
>
>
>>>be the cheapest
>>>
>>>
>>>>>energy available to you, regardless. In Alaska, in
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>certain areas along
>>>
>>>
>>>>>the coast, there is coal sticking up out of the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>ground
>
>
>>>and sand. It's
>>>
>>>
>>>>>low grade, but it burns, and anyone with the will
>>>>>
>>>>>
>can go
>
>
>>>to the beaches
>>>
>>>
>>>>>ansimply load theirs truck with it, come home and
>>>>>
>>>>>
>burn
>
>
>>>it in their
>>>
>>>
>>>>>stove, kiln or what have you. That is about as cheap
>>>>>
>>>>>
>as
>
>
>>>it gets. But for
>>>
>>>
>>>>>most of us any where in the country, even Hiwaii,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>and
>
>
>>>even as expensive
>>>
>>>
>>>>>as it is there, electricity is going to be the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>cheapest
>
>
>>>energy going.
>>>
>>>
>>>>>Good luck on your quest to get up and running on
>>>>>
>>>>>
>firing.
>
>
>>>>>Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>>John Rodgers
>>>>>Birmingham, AL
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Carol Olavarri wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>>>I will soon be ordering a Kress kiln and am very
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>new
>
>
>>>to this art. We
>>>
>>>
>>>>live in
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>Hawaii and and the cost of electricity is very
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>high.
>
>
>>>Is it possible to
>>>
>>>
>>>>run
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>it off of say a 13000 KW generator? My husband
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>seems
>
>
>>>to think it would
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>work. Any help on this subject would be greatly
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>appreciated. I cannot go
>>>
>>>
>>>>gas
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>as way beyond my means so am stuck with electric.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>____________________________________________________________
>
>
>>>________________
>>>
>>>
>>>>__
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>>>>
>>>>>You may look at the archives for the list or change
>>>>>
>>>>>
>your
>
>
>>>subscription
>>>
>>>
>>>>>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>>>>
>>>>>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
>>>>>
>>>>>
>reached
>
>
>>>at
>>>
>>>
>>>>melpots@pclink.com.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>____________________________________________________________
>
>
>>>__________________
>>>
>>>
>>>>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>>>
>>>>You may look at the archives for the list or change
>>>>
>>>>
>your
>
>
>>>subscription
>>>
>>>
>>>>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>>>
>>>>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be
>>>>
>>>>
>reached
>
>
>>>at melpots@pclink.com.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>____________________________________________________________
>________________
>
>
>>__
>>
>>
>>>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>>
>>>You may look at the archives for the list or change your
>>>
>>>
>subscription
>
>
>>>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>>
>>>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached
>>>
>>>
>at
>
>
>>melpots@pclink.com.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>____________________________________________________________
>__________________
>
>
>>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>>You may look at the archives for the list or change your
>>
>>
>subscription
>
>
>>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached
>>
>>
>at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
Russel Fouts on fri 9 may 03
John,
>> The reason for this little discourse is simply to suggest that wind sails to drive generaters may be the way to go, as opposed to propellers to drive generators. <<
I would have liked to see it built as well. We still see a few in
working condition here in the "Low Countries"
I always prefered sailboats to power boats. However, although using
sails on a mill is wonderfuly romantic and simple, it wouldn't be very
efficient. Modern wind mills, the ones with the propellers, can vary the
pitch of the propellers to vary speed to account for wind changes. Then
of course, they're built of efficient modern materials so as to get the
most energy out of the wind, necessitating fewer mills to generate the
same amount of energy.
More efficient and entirely lacking in romance and charm, sigh!
Russel
--
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Brussels, Belgium
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John Rodgers on fri 9 may 03
Russel,
You are quite right. Mount propellers on the windmill and all the fun
and romance are gone. Wouldn't even look like a traditional windmill.
So far as the technology goes, the Dutch developed a way to vary the
speed of the windmill the same as the propeller speed is varied. While
the propeller pitch is variable to get speed changes, with the
windmill, like a sailing ship at sea, to go faster unfurl more sail.
This was accomplished by furling and unfurling the canvas. The wood
structure arms of the windmill were just a support framework that
allowed the wind to blow through. But the canvas was really the sail,
and by regulating - furling and unfurling - the canvas there was more or
less canvas exposured to the pressure of the wind, thus accomplishing
the same thing as a variable pitch propeller - speed control!!
Biggest problem with them was you always had to have someone around to
adjust the sails as the weather changed, or simply furl the sales and
secure the arms with ropes so they did not move in ones abscence. I
could see disaster otherwise, if there is a wind change or a storm comes
and there is no one there to tend the machinery.!!
Very fascinating stuff, windmills, their design and operation.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Birmingham, AL
Russel Fouts wrote:
>John,
>
>
>
>>>The reason for this little discourse is simply to suggest that wind sails to drive generaters may be the way to go, as opposed to propellers to drive generators. <<
>>>
>>>
>
>I would have liked to see it built as well. We still see a few in
>working condition here in the "Low Countries"
>
>I always prefered sailboats to power boats. However, although using
>sails on a mill is wonderfuly romantic and simple, it wouldn't be very
>efficient. Modern wind mills, the ones with the propellers, can vary the
>pitch of the propellers to vary speed to account for wind changes. Then
>of course, they're built of efficient modern materials so as to get the
>most energy out of the wind, necessitating fewer mills to generate the
>same amount of energy.
>
>More efficient and entirely lacking in romance and charm, sigh!
>
>Russel
>
>
>
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