Pond dreaming is over

[EddieWalker]

What is the advantage to going higher? How tall is yours. The 12 foot models are quite a bit cheaper then the 16 and the 20 foot ones. Seems to me the wind is the same at all those heights, so what am I missing?

Eddie

 

[IXLR8]

Eddie, When I was looking at putting up a wind turbine for generating power I found some difference in wind speeds between a 12ft and a 20ft tower, but I don't know if it would be enough to have any real meaning for this purpose. The real differences came when you put up a 60 or 80ft tower. One of the big differences was turbulence, the closer to the ground the turbine was, the more turbulence there was and the shorter the life expectancy of the turbine was. Surrounding trees/structures also mattered as far as the turbulence is concerned and the installer wanted the turbine at least 20ft higher than anything within 200ft. I never installed it as the numbers just didn't work out for me.

 

[philbuilt]

Eddie, I got the 20' because at the time it was only $100 more for the extra height. My pond is down in a valley so extra was good in my opinion.
But most of all it's just cool to look at. I want to say that I paid $1700 for the 20' and that was through Tractor Supply.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Philbuilt, it looks like you're the expert on here as far as windmills go, having first hand knowledge and experience. Glad you're here!

I take it that you did not buy their concrete mounting kit, but used 2" pipe somehow to anchor it? In addition to the $1700 basic unit, how much did it cost you total to get your system complete up and running? I'm guessing around $2k including the weighted hose, various valves and shipping?

I've thought about putting one up, off and on, for a long time. But yours looks so good, I think I'm just going to have to do it. BTW, Northern Tools is a distributor - but boy do they jack their price up! Koenders is definitely the place to buy from.

 

[philbuilt]

Gem99ultra,No concrete kit needed just set the mill where you want it and pound the anchor legs into the ground at each corner, then level and tighten the u-bolts.
My kit came with a 100' of hose and 1 air stone. I don't have any valves yet. and yes I did buy the weighted hose and second stone separately.
I will be putting the weighted hose and extra stone in this spring. Total investment so far is about $1900
For the water health and field and pond aesthetic it's worth every penny.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Just read all 23 pages. Nice pond! Looks like alot of work, but very rewarding.

 

[philbuilt]

Thanks NS
Heres a few more pictures of the pond .The ice is half out! what a difference 3 weeks make.

 

[EddieWalker]

How long until you get some green stuff on your dirt? I've mowed twice and really need to get out there again!!!

Eddie

 

[philbuilt]

Eddie we should start seeing green in the next couple of weeks. but I won't have to mower for at least a month.
This morning we have 2 geese and 2 ducks on the pond. We are planning on buying 4 mallard ducklings to bring to the pond this year.

 

[philbuilt]

I'm look for a wireless outdoor PTZ cam to mount on the windmill tower pointing at the pond. I could also add a small solar panel
to charge a battery for power. The distance to the house is about 500'. I hoping to be able to zoom in on pond activity and take some pictures.
any thoughts? I would also like to keep the budget to no more than $300.