Progress Report - Breamlea Windgenerator

16 June 1995


Data Logger: The "DataTaker" DT50 data logger is now installed and measuring 
every half hour the following parameters: average windspeed, minimum wind-
speed, maximum windspeed, kilowatt-seconds, average kilowatts, minimum kW, 
maximum kW, standard deviation of kW, kWh per half hour, minutes in low speed 
mode, minutes in high speed mode, number of generator transitions (on->off or 
off->on), and hopefully very soon the shaft speed of the generator. Wind 
direction would be nice as would the second anemometer to be connected, but 
we are already getting snowed under with data, and probably need to restrict 
data collection to the most useful parameters.Remote data transfers: Michael 
Gunter and Adrian Oakey have been busy with their modems in the late 
evenings, trying to get data transfer up and running. There have been some 
successes, and Michael has on one occasion done a Zmodem file transfer from 
Breamlea to Melbourne. An old XT portable computer and modem of Michael's 
will be on loan to the meter hut and he is trying to develop a script program 
that will automatically ring up someone's modem in Melbourne (off-peak of 
course!) and send the latest data down the wires. This has the advantage of 
programming simplicity and security, but can be a nuisance if you have to be 
around to turn on your computer to accept the call. (Any volunteers for a 
roster?)

Data Analysis: Anybody in the ATA who wants copies of the data contact Michael 
or Adrian, send a floppy with return postage, or arrange for us to send data 
via modem (no faxes please!). We will probably be supplying data to Citipower 
as well, since they indicated last year that sharing information was one of 
their expectations after putting in $6000 for us to buy the machine. 
Preliminary analysis of  only 30 hours of data seems to indicate that the 
windgen. is performing better than the Westwind performance graph. This may 
indicate that the anemometer is under-reading and needs re-calibrating. The 
calibration of the analogue kW meter also needs to be checked on Sunday 18 
June. This is easily done by comparing the sum of the kWh readings in the 
DataTaker with the reading on the "official" SECV meter in the meter hut.

PowerCor's Wires - !@#$%&* - We have been losing money again because of the 
unreliability of the local 22 kV feeder. Only last week there was a pole fire 
which caused a 6 hour blackout, and the week before that the new transformer 
they recently installed between us and the sewage pumping station blew-up 
(literally according to one of the locals) and had the EPA in attendance 
mopping-up poly-chlorinated biphenyls! Let's hope we have better luck in the 
coming months. One realistic option is to wire up the data logger to switch 
on the windgen. automatically after every blackout. 
Michael G has already written the necessary program into the logger, but a 
group decision needs to be made (and the programming checked from a safety 
point of view).

PowerCor Negotioations: The Sales Manager in Geelong has to be contacted to 
get their response to our claim for a donation. The other issue is getting 
written agreement for our grid-connection: this is really pending on a 
decision from the Office of the Regulator-General about our status as an 
electricity generator (currently we are legal thanks to a general exemption 
from the requirements of the Electricity Industry Act 1993. However this 
exemption expires at the end of 1995). Michael Gunter has a copy of our 
submission to the Office of the Regulator-General for anybody whose 
interested.

Citipower Negotiations: Still verbal at this stage. However we have invoiced them for 
power produced in April and May: lousy wind meant only $232.96 and $355.52. Since 
Citipower waits 6 weeks before sending the cheque, we still haven't received the first 
payment!

Maintenance:  The sign is currently leaning against the hut, but will be put on the 13th 
Beach Road frontage Sunday (weather permitting - the ground is quite wet at the 
moment). MG has not put his magnets on the brake pads, but the W/G seems to start OK 
in light winds now anyway. Please be very careful to allow enough clearance when 
adjusting the brake pads - the torque of the rotor is minute when stationary. The door 
of the meter hut has been weather-stripped to protect the DataTaker.  Rotor balance: In light 
winds the rotor always seems to stall when blade#2 is at the 2 o'clock position, looking 
from the nacelle side - maybe we need to fill the other two with a bit of (low velocity) 
lead. Also, the tip of blade #2 seems to be making "creaking" noises in low speed - 
keep a careful eye on it please. Electrical: Michael replaced a 0.1 ohm shunt resistor 
in the analogue kW meter (base of tower-instant readout). The old one looked nearly 
burnt-out due to heavy current from the current transformer. A wire on the current 
transformer there also had to be re-soldered.
Remote start/stop: Wires which according to the circuit diagram are supposed to be 
for remote starting and stopping of the W/G do not have any effect when shorted 
together. This is another little teaser to investigate on Sunday. Maybe they have to be 
connected together before the microprocessor is turned on?

Advertising: We really need a promotional brochure or A4 flyer to stick in shop 
windows, Tourist Information Centres, service stations, etc. promoting windpower 
generally and Breamlea in particular. The monthly open day has to be mentioned 
prominently. Any takers on this one?

Fine Tuning: Michael Gunter has obtained (from Mobil) detailed advice and a 
viscosity graph for mineral and synthetic gear oils. It would seem that the VG 320  oil 
currently in the main gearbox has a viscosity index (VI) of 100. It gets quite thin at 
high temperatures. If we put in a lower viscosity synthetic oil (eg SHC 629: VG =150) with a high 
VI of 150 and put cooling fins on the gearbox, then the viscosity can be kept above 75 
cSt if the temperature of the gearbox can be kept below 55degC. This is the same 
viscosity as the 320 grade oil at 70degC - the sort of temperature probably reached on 
days with heatwave conditions and a strong northerly wind.
