Blowin’ in the Wind
By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
Bob Hammond succeeds in converting his orchard wind machine into a wind generator. Above, Bob Hayes, of Prevailing Wind Power of Redondo Beach, guides the crane operator as the new generator, prop, and extension are hoisted atop what was once a wind machine tower in Hammond’s Bardsdale orange grove. Story will appear in next week’s Gazette.
Bob Hammond succeeds in converting his orchard wind machine into a wind generator. Above, Bob Hayes, of Prevailing Wind Power of Redondo Beach, guides the crane operator as the new generator, prop, and extension are hoisted atop what was once a wind machine tower in Hammond’s Bardsdale orange grove. Story will appear in next week’s Gazette.

This story is SO interesting

Submitted by Centurion on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 9:41pm.

This story is SO interesting to us. First, I can see Bob Hammond is utilizing his wind power to better use; electrical energy.

We bought a SUZLON wind turbine back in early October of 2008. Our blades and the generator/motor are quite larger than Mr. Hammonds', pictured above. But we have a considerable amount of electricity to generate in operating our home. As today, we have no wind at all outside, the power from our turbine is stored...enough to last about two weeks if we are conservative enough to not abuse our needed power requirements.

There is not much noise to irritate our neighbors produced from the turbine, nor are the blades making any sound. We have not sliced any birds in half while they are flying by, as some people thought would happen; I told them these blades do not rotate like propellers on a reciprocating aircraft engine. We can electronically "turn" the props to face into the wind, or we can switch to "neutral" so the props face the wind, no matter what direction it's coming from on its own by means of a "rudder" atop the system.

Wind generation is a coming prospect. We are free from the local electric grid and when, during the last storm came in January, everyone had a major power outage for 3 days; we were "on"...I lost no steaks, and the beer was cold.(joke). Nice to see Mr. Hammond's benefit to himself and his orchards.

John King