Mark II

The autumn strong winds have hit the HPC test beds here in the Northumberland nursery. The various propeller flower heads positioned along the fence are rattling around at great speed and reminding me of suggestions that I could be generating electricity as I travel. 

From left to right i.white desk fan flower  ii. aluminium  butterfly heater fan flower iii. black radiator fan flower with red inner wheel centre

With the development of Mark II of the plant on my mind I have been watching closely to compare smoothness of rotation of the various forms and the visual appeal of each of them. 

Taking up the offer of a colleague Tom Mullholland (engineer & science teacher) I took my collection rotors (propellers) down to his workshop in Sunderland to explore the possible ways of converting  the wind power into energy to light up the plant.

 

Surrounded literally by hundreds of stacked boxes containing mechanical parts, grommets, salvaged  electrical devices and a kettle heating up next to us  by solar panels on the roof - I knew I was in the perfect place to get advice and technical help.

  

Tom explained how the most appropriate motors to use for this situation are those designed to operate from batteries rather than the mains, i.e. using a lower voltage.





Checking out possibilities and thinking through fixing methods for each propeller it was decided that the heavier propellers such as this acrylic and metal fan once used to inflate hot air balloons would be best mounted onto an old drill.

While smaller motors used for running model cars etc could generate the electricity from the smaller fans.

Precise measurements were taken for Tom to be able to calculate the extension shafts required to fit over the motors axle.

While Tom is making the electrical links I am searching for tubes of the exact dimensions to house the motors. These tubes need to connect onto & become part of the  plants overall stem structure.

The first aim of our experiments is to light up a series of LED parasol lights that fit neatly round the plants stems, but which until now have been powered by batteries.

With the darker nights approaching I should have plenty of time check how well the flower turbines work.