Monday, October 17, 2011

More new life for old parts

Next I tried adding some saddles to act as "wind cups" (that's what they're called on anemometers) to catch wind and spin the thing

It had to be put on a fixed base, because with it hanging all the wind did was swing it back and forth

Even with that done, it still wouldn't spin like I hoped it would. I figure either the saddles don't catch enough wind, or the tubing is too heavy, or maybe even both.


  1. Just from looking at it, I would say there is not enough flat surface area for the wind to spin it. In a hurricane, however, it would definitely work, mostly because it is on wheels and would just roll away, LOL.

    The wind is going to hit the wider part of the seat underside, then most of it is going to slide right off the seat through the much more narrow end, like a tube effect. For that reason, if the seats themselves were used as spinning devices, they would probably spin pretty well in a higher wind if you reduced the weight. Also, if the wind is blowing the other direction, most of the wind impact will be absorbed by the cushioning on the seats, so that will need to be removed.

    If you remove everything but the seat shell, however, make a flat surface to glue to the bottom of it, then bolt the seat itself to the apparatus using a single very small and lightweight piece of metal rather than the metal which comes with the seats, you would reduce the weight significantly, reduce wind absorption and loss, and greatly increase the chances that it will spin. Also, make sure there is plenty of oil on the spin point of the wheel, because otherwise you will naturally get drag (but I am sure you have done that already).

    Just some thoughts, which may or may not be insane in nature. Also bear in mind, I have actually been wrong once or twice before. ;-)

  2. I totally agree. And for most cases, wind direction and speed vary every now and then so I think more improvements as to the design should be taken into consideration.