Topic: Wind power

[TIQA]

hi.

i am newbie here

im looking for best tool to find if i should build wind turbine for my house. so far i have found a few weather stations and power predictors. just curious which i should chose, because here, in latvia, we often get -30C(-22F) in winter, so it must be able to withstand cold temperatures. also data logging without pc is a must, should be able to store at least 3 months of data.

what could you recomend?

[wxtech]

Vaisala has wind power assessment systems. http://www.vaisala.com/en/energy/powergeneration/windresourceassessment/Pages/default.aspx
Then if you need a less costly solution, check EBay for used Vaisala similar sensors and dataloggers.

[DanS]

... also, Inspeed has wind sensors and data loggers that might meet your requirements.

[TIQA]

what about weather stations? are theirs data reliable? after all its the same sensors, but with added functionality.

i found few stations like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weathereye-Outdoor-Electronic-Weather-Station/dp/B001FXICF6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1376653287&sr=8-4&keywords=weather+station

[wxtech]

What is your price range?  Will you settle for a personal weather station with everything in one box?  Or do you need professional weather equipment?

[TIQA]

as said, main purpose is data logging to see if wind turbine will yield at given location. definitely no need for pro level equipment. i wonder if personal weather stations are good enough for this job.

so far i've figured that if i take some entry level PWS, i need to leave pc for data logging, right? most PWS are within temperature range as it seems.

[DanS]

The type of station you linked will measure wind, has a built in data logger and, a PC is not required to be running. I posted the Inspeed equipment because you appeared to be interested in your OP with wind data and data logging only. Complete weather stations such as the Amazon WeatherEye / Ambient weather (Fine Offset), LaCrosse, Acu-Rite, Davis, Rainwise, etc. all do this but some may not have data logging included so be aware when shopping.

[TIQA]

i guess for starters wea22 will do the job, after all things are simpler than i thought ill just leave some pc for real time monitoring and data logging.

only thing that worries me is batteries in -30C, how long will they last? on other hand power consumption isnt that great, maybe ill throw some solar panel as power backup, that should do the trick

anyway, great thanks for help and advice.

[DanS]

Although I never had the opportunity to try them, Lithiums supposedly way out perform standard Alkalines in cold weather.

[johnd]

We've got a LeWL logger on our website, see:

http://www.weatherstations.co.uk/lewl.htm

Honestly don't know about very low temp operation. Can't avoid icing as a potential problem with a moving parts anemometer, but that's probably going to be a possible issue with any affordable solution.

[wxtech]

Not a problem with the eqpt designed to handle the low temps.  Pictured is a R M Young 05103.  You can tell from the icicles on the impeller, that it was still rotating.  And their Alpine model is ice resistant.
http://www.youngusa.com/products/7/47.html

[DanS]

Not sure if you will see this or still have time to take advantage ....

[johnd]

Not a problem with the eqpt designed to handle the low temps.

I think it's all a matter of degree to be honest.So even the Davis anemometers are designed to resist light icing. And conversely, whatever the design, conditions of very heavy icing can be brutal - it's difficult to imagine any rotating anemometer design keeping going in the worst and heaviest icing conditions.