3D printed Wind Turbine Fits in a Backpack

Discussion in 'New Roundtable' started by Bengal B, Aug 17, 2014.

  1. Bengal B

    Bengal B Founding Member

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    A Company called Engaget has come up with a 3D printed wind turbine that generates 300 watts of electricity and can fit in a backpack. It is a crowd funded project but it is expected to sell for $350 when it goes into production. It is even open sourced so that a do it yourselfer could make his own from the plans. Power can be stored in a battery or even plugged into an electric socket. Multiple units can be hooked in tandem for more than 300 watts of power

    http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/17/airenergy-3d-wind-turbine/
     
  2. locoguano

    locoguano Founding Member

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    Plastic parts... better have a 3-d printer because you will be replacing those gears several times a year.
     
  3. Bengal B

    Bengal B Founding Member

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    You could use metal gears and print the other parts. And something like that isn't something you would use every day. Would be good to have on a camping trip
     
  4. locoguano

    locoguano Founding Member

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    If you have an ultra energy efficient home you can use five or six of those producing 500w each... for camping you are likely better off using solar.
     
  5. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    I tend to agree. Complicated things with fragile moving parts don't survive long in the bush.

    And using a 3D printer is very expensive per object, however novel. If this device actually works well, RONCO will have them injection molded and crank them out by the millions at $29.99. Shipping and handling separate.
     
  6. LSUsupaFan

    LSUsupaFan Founding Member

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    A Ronco Pocket Fisherman literally saved the lives of a friend and myself. We were on some back country trails in Idaho, and we came back to our campsite after a hike to find a bear had very obviously come through. Our food was hung 10 feet high, but the bear either bit the rope or tried to climb the tree and broke the rope.

    We caught enough fish to sustain us with a pocket fisherman my buddy always kept in his pack.
     
  7. Bengal B

    Bengal B Founding Member

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    Six of them producing a total of 3000 watts isn't enough for a house but would be good for emergency use like after a hurricane when you have no power. 3000 watts is about the power of a small gasoline generator you can buy at Home Depot for $400.

    And wouldn't a solar array capable of producing 300 watts cost more than $350 and be less portable?


    The idea behind this by the inventor was for power for third world countries where some people live miles from the nearest electric power. 300 watts should be enough to run a small fridge and a couple of lights

    If they work and end up getting sold for $29.95 I am going to buy 40 or 50 of them and get off Entergy's grid
     
  8. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    Backpackers don't carry anything heavy enough to require 300 watts. All they need is to recharge flashlights, GPS, and cellphones. Backpacker solar panels run from $60 to $100 and roll up or fold into small bundles.

    Another environment where fragile and complicated devices will not last.

    What will you do when the wind doesn't blow, which is a lot? There are more sturdy wind turbines available for home use but they all have limitations or people would have already done it. Maybe in Oklahoma if you have a generator backup.
     
  9. mctiger

    mctiger RIP, and thanks for the music Staff Member

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    Afterward, did you fry the fish, or prep them in your Bass-o-Matic?
     
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  10. Bengal B

    Bengal B Founding Member

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    The Amazing New Super Bass-o-Matic 76

     

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