User:Riveshp/Wind Turbine

Write problem/project Goal
In the beginning I would like to complete what the previous group was unable to complete, which involves editing the arduino code and have it complete where it can tell the appropriate readings on the computer screen. After that is complete, the plan is to see how much impact the wind turbine can take by connecting it to a car and having the wind blow through it. Then at the end, the major goal is to see if we can use the wind turbine to charge AAA batteries.

My First Task
From the previous group, this weekend I would like to work on the arduino group listed below.

First we needed to test the voltage output for the wind turbine from the previous team project. This is a spreadsheet of the data collected. (The blower setting was set to medium for all of these.) At 10ft the turbine required a slight push to get it going, but maintained itself after that.

Next we needed to see how accurately the arduino measured voltage. With a variable power supply we were able to compare the arduino readings in the serial monitor to the voltage output of the power supply.

This is a spreadsheet of the data collected for testing the accuracy of the arduino. Because this is linear I used an Avgerage Rate of Change Formula [Ex. Rate=(5v-2.5v)/(1024-512)] With this I can take what the serial monitor reads and divide it by 204.8. (Ex. SM/204.8=Volts)

We now know the limits of the arduino and the power output of the turbine and now can move forward with the programming side of this project.

We started with the previous teams code (listed below).

We were not sure of the of some of the conversions on this code, plus the readings were not printing in the serial monitor correctly; we switched to an arduino code from the arduino site.

After modifying the code we came up with this. THIS CODE STILL NEEDS WORK. The conversion for power seemed off last time the code was tested.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
This week I am observing the arduino code, watching youtube videos and studying codes from other groups. Its alot harder than I thought because trying to find small issues within an arduino code that is already complete is very difficult and having to change it becomes even harder. Over the weekend, I will continue to work on the arduino code with Joseph. This past week, I am working on trying to make the frame of the wind turbine stronger also. The previous group stated that the fan on top is very fragile and my goal this weekend is to get help on the arduino code, complete that by thanksgiving at least and being able to present that the week after. The frame of the wind turbine is also very fragile and I have attached a sketch of what I plan to do to make it sturdier.

Three hours later, 11/15/12, I am still doing research on the arduino code but and unsuccessful trying to modify some of the problems that are there. Everytime I try to change the code, it does not register through the software and keeps rejecting the program. Minor modification has already started on the wind turbine to make it better for us to work on. Honestly, I need help trying to modify the code because, right about now, I have no idea what to do. Overall, just on the arduino code, watching videos and operating on the arduino code already available, I have spent about 4 to 5 hours just trying to modify the code but am having trouble. MORE INFORMATION WRITTEN BELOW THE CODE ATTACHED.

Week1 Narrative
} void loop {

sensorValue = analogRead(A2); // read the value from the sensor: Serial.begin(9600); // initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second: // read the input on analog pin 2: int sensorValue = analogRead(A2); // print out the value you read: Serial.print("Volts = "); Serial.println(sensorValue/C); Serial.print("Amps = "); // printout amps in serial monitor Serial.println((sensorValue/C)/R); // printout power in serial monitor Serial.print("Power = "); Serial.println((sensorValue/C)*((sensorValue*C)/R)); Serial.println("========================================================");

delay(500);       // delay in between reads for stability }

After doing research and looking at many different videos and sites on how to change the power reading, I did not come up with any answers for the power reading because I can not tell what the problem is for it. I watched over 2 to 3 hours of videos but I can not come up with a power reading for the arduino, or find where the problem is actually because the tests seem fine when observed.

As far as the design process is concerned. The bottom of the wind turbine has been modified to be used on a skateboard and mounted on a vehicile to test the speed of wind with an anomometer. The process to charge re-chargeable batteries has also started. I am currently working on ways to wire the battery to the wind turbine and see if the batteries can be charged with fan blowing and observe how much voltage is being released when the fan is spinning. 5:30 PM 11/15/12, I went to home depot and bought some parts to create a prototype to help on the construction at home. I pretty much have the same design as the previous group but had an idea to buy thicker and stronger wood. Instead of gluing the pieces together I decided to nail the pieces together. I have a 2 inch think wood piece at the bottom that then is nailed to a piece of wood that is 2 inches by 8 inches. Then I drilled to small holes within the fan and nailed a small fan from home to the wood which completed assembly for the prototype wind turbine. The addition of nails and thicker wood increases the chance for the wind turbine to take more impact from wind and it isn't as fragile as the one that was passed down to my group for project 3.

My Second Task
By this week, I plan to have the arduino code ready for demonstration. Also have the modified and stronger wind turbine ready for study. Have the wind turbine strong enough to take power from a skateboard and the damage from a moving car going atleast 20 mph.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
This week I planned to have the code complete so that I can present the demo in class on Monday. Because of the holiday I was unable to work with my professor to have the arduino program approved. After doing some research I figured that there might be a problem with the resistor that the program is connected to. I figured out the solution to the arduino program. This week my task was just to find the solution to the arduino program, I went ahead and did some additional research and figured out a way to have the wind turbine power batteries. To have the wind turbine work, an easy way is, adding a battery recharge pack to it. When the fan spins it creates current to supply to the charger. Attached is a sample picture which gives somewhat of an idea on what I am talking about. Basically the fan spins and triggers the motor already inside of the wind turbine which then passes the current to the battery recharge pack. The faster the fan blows the more current passes through.



Week2 Narrative
After doing some research on the arduino programming from the last group, and then just asking Lukas if he could help me, I figured out that the resistor had to be changed from the previous group. Instead of the 1 ohm resistor, I have to change it to a 51 ohm resistor so the code can work properly. I also figured out that the program can use a higher resistor and work perfectly without any issues. The minimum the program needs though is at least a 51 ohm resistor that can power the arduino. The thing that needs to be changed is the heading on top of the code and small issues within the code, then the program should work perfectly. As of now, the main problem has been fixed, in the classroom, someone messed around with the wiring so the entire breadboard has to be rewired so we can get the program to work properly.

My Third task
After the arduino part is complete, I will just connect the recharge battery pack to the wind turbine and the next two weeks will be strictly testing to see how much power it can take to have the battery work off of this wind turbine. Possibly, try to power larger things as well such as small lamps or cell phone chargers.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
Nothing was really different than what I planned to do this week. I planned to have the arduino code complete by Wednesday, with the help of my professor, that task was complete. I also planned to make some modifications to the wind turbine, that was complete also. I found a way to securely fasten the breadboard and arduino piece together with the wind turbine. I also worked with my professor and found codes to determine wind speed and determine the amount of voltage that is transmitted to the monitor display. Some formulas that were determined: Vout=IR    I=Vout/R       P=Vout*Vout/R Attached is a picture of the formulas worked out along with a diagram of the connections.

11/28/12, I also trimmed the pink foam surrounding on the wind turbine because the group noticed that there was a little turbulence when the fan spins. When blades on the fan where in motion, they were brushing against the pink foam inside. I also completed some tests on the wind turbine with a leaf blower and had readings that included:  Voltage: 2.4     I=.05   Power= .124 I plan to do more testing later with the leaf blower, I will have a chart with the accurate reading posted on my page with the speed that the leaf blower releases.

11/29/12: The fan in the arduino acts like a power source. The power from that will be transmitted to the arduino and that will tell us how much power is transmitted to the battery pack. I know that the arduino is now working properly because we have done some test with the wind turbine and arduino program, I am working on the charts for the leaf blower and will have it updated on my page by Monday.



Week3 Narrative
11/26/12: Modifications to the arduino code resumed and modifications to the destroyed breadboard and arduino continued also. The breadboard and arduino was put back together, in a complicated way, but it was connected. We tried to make the arduino code calculate the amount of watts that was being released. After having a discussion with the previous group, they were having the same problem as my team. The amount of watts that was being released was not accurate, it was too high so after modifying the code and making the code more simple, we came up with the following, below. And the readings were accurate also.

11/28/12: After connecting the wind turbine to a skateboard and moving it, the fan on the wind turbine did not spin as fast as we wanted it to. The results were very minimal so I will try the test again and see how the results change.

11/30/12: Testing resumed today, The readings for the wind turbine were accurate as far as the wind turbine and the leaf blower is concerned. I found out some information on the leaf blower itself. Some important information I found was, the voltage the leaf blower has and speed. Below is a chart that included all of the information. The voltage is 36 V and the air speed is 120 MPH. Technical Specifications Voltage 36 V Ampsn/a Amps Air Speed 120 mph Bagn/a Bushels Mulch Ration/a Decibel <66 dBA Weight 4.7 lbs TypeHard Surface Sweeper Power Source 36

I had consistent readings:  Voltage: 2.4 I=.05 Power= .124

I WILL HAVE A CHART WITH THE READINGS FROM THE LEAF BLOWER AND VEHICLE BY NEXT WEEK.

THIS BOTTOM PART IS INCLUDED IN THE CODE ALSO, NOT JUST WHAT IS BOXED.

int sensorPin = A2;   // input pin for power (positive) int sensorValue = 0; // variable to store the value coming from the sensor double Vout; double I; double P; double R = 51; // resistance value (ohms) double C = 204.6; // constant value divider (5/1023)(ex. 5v = 1023 serial monitor reading) void setup { } void loop { sensorValue = analogRead(A2); // read the value from the sensor: Serial.begin(9600); // initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second: // read the input on analog pin 2: //int sensorValue = analogRead(A2); // print out the value you read: Vout=sensorValue/C; I=Vout/R; P=Vout*Vout/R; Serial.print("Volts = "); Serial.println(Vout); Serial.print("Amps = "); // printout amps in serial monitor Serial.println(I); // printout power in serial monitor Serial.print("Power = "); Serial.println(P); Serial.println("========================================================"); delay(500);       // delay in between reads for stability }

END OF THE CODE

My Fourth task
The main plan was to complete the arduino code this week, that is complete. All we have to do next week is complete the tests by connecting the wind turbine to the recharge battery pack and see how much voltage is released with the turbine connected to a vehicle.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned?

This week I just planned on testing my wind turbine and observing the impact. I did alot of testing with the wind turbine such as, connecting it to a car and observing the force of the wind and fan speed. I also used a leaf blower and observed the impact it had. Adam and I got together after class one day and used a wind speed reader to determine the air speed of the leaf blower. We tested the speed by meter in distance. Meters        Speed on wind reader 3 meters away       5 mph 2 meters away       8mph 1 meter away        10 mph 0 meters away       unable to read due to high speeds (at the tip)

I also connected a rechargable battery pack to the wind turbine a noted that the batteries were charging. Unfortunately, due to the various wind speeds, I was unable to determine the exact amount of power transferred. But the connection to the battery pack and wind turbine was pretty simple. I connected the black and red wires to a plug, I basically used the plugs that are used in the wall to transfer current at home. I connected the red and black wires to the 2 wires on the plug and then connected the rechargable pack to that, and noted that current was passing through.

Week4 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.

This week, I did testing on the wind turbine and used the unbalanced power readings to see if there was any current actually flowing through to power anything. The wind turbine did work and it did power my battery pack. I connected a rechargable battery to the pack and let the wind turbine operate, after 10 minutes, I checked the battery and it did work. Other than that, there wasn't much left to the project, except testing and seeing it operate.